Accordion Bag | PDF Sewing Pattern

Poplin is a fine, densely woven cotton with a smooth, slightly cool surface. The fabric feels pleasantly soft, yet it is nicely stable and has no stretch.

Typical of poplin: it is fairly lightweight but still drapes neatly, so it looks clean and a little smarter than regular cotton.

Poplin is super easy to sew – it cuts well, hardly shifts and is great for beginners too.

It is perfect for blouses, shirts, dresses, skirts, bags, cushions or summer trousers.

In short: smooth, light and an easy fabric for lots of lovely everyday pieces.

Faux leather is a synthetic material that looks very similar to real leather but is completely vegan. It usually has a smooth or slightly textured surface and often looks somewhat glossy or matte – depending on the finish.

The fabric is relatively firm but still flexible. It is sturdy, easy care and simply wipes clean, which makes it super practical.

Sewing it takes a little patience, because faux leather does not glide quite as well and needle holes can remain visible. A stronger needle helps a lot here.

Faux leather is perfect for bags, backpacks, pouches, home decor or statement clothing.

In short: easy care, modern and a stylish alternative to real leather.

Woven fabrics are made from two sets of threads: warp threads and weft threads, which are interlaced crosswise. As a result, they usually have no stretch and hold their shape well.

Depending on the material and weave, they can look very different – from light and airy to firm and sturdy. That is exactly what makes them so versatile.

Woven fabrics are usually easy to sew because they cut well and keep their shape. The only thing is that they can fray a little at the edges.

They are perfect for clothing such as blouses, shirts, skirts and dresses, but also for bags, home decor and many other projects.

In short: classic, versatile and the basis for lots and lots of sewing ideas.

Felt is a dense, non-woven fabric that behaves quite differently depending on its thickness – and that is exactly what determines the needle.

For thin to medium felt a regular universal needle (size 70–90) is usually enough.
For thicker or firmer felt you are better off using a jeans needle (size 90–100), because it is sturdier and gets through more easily.

The good news: felt does not fray and is pretty relaxed to sew. Only very thick felt needs a bit more piercing power or a stronger machine. By the way: felt is also super easy to embroider with an embroidery machine!

In short:
thin = universal needle,
thick = jeans needle 👍

Corduroy is a sturdy fabric with a very typical ribbed texture. These fine or wider stripes give it its unmistakable, slightly retro look.

The fabric feels soft and textured at the same time. It is warm, comfortable to wear and really durable.

Depending on the type, corduroy comes fine (needlecord) or coarse with wide ribs – both have their own charm.

Corduroy is usually easy to sew; just keep an eye on the nap direction of the ribs.

It is perfect for trousers, skirts, jackets, dresses or bags.

In short: cosy, sturdy and a true classic with vintage flair.

Denim is basically the classic jeans fabric – sturdy, tightly woven and really hard-wearing. Its slightly diagonal texture is typical, often with the blue-dyed look that everyone instantly associates with jeans.

The fabric is rather firm and a bit stiff at first, but softens over time and moulds itself better and better. That is exactly what makes denim so durable and popular.

It needs a bit more power when sewing – a strong needle and a sturdy machine help here. In return, the result can really take a lot.

Denim is perfect for jeans, jackets, bags or anything that has to stand up to everyday life.

In short: strong, timeless and a true everyday hero on the fabric shelf.

Linen is a natural fabric with a slightly firm, textured feel. At first it often feels a bit rough, but it gets softer with every wash and becomes really lovely on the skin.

Typical of linen: it is super airy and breathable – perfect for warm days. The fabric looks rather loose and relaxed, often has a slightly irregular appearance, and that is exactly what gives it its charm.

Linen creases pretty quickly, but that is simply part of it and even looks intentional. It is ideal for airy clothing such as dresses, blouses, trousers or shirts.

In short: natural, cooling and wonderfully easy-going with a casual look.

Patchwork fabrics are usually fine woven cottons that are perfect for combining. They are fairly light, smooth and have no stretch – so you can cut them very precisely and sew them neatly.

The many colourful prints and designs that are perfectly coordinated are typical. That is exactly what makes them ideal for creative projects where you want to mix different fabrics.

Patchwork fabrics are totally easy to sew and really rewarding for beginners too, because they hardly distort and keep their shape well.

They are of course perfect for patchwork quilts, but also for bags, cushions or small sewing projects.

In short: light, precise and made for creative combining.