Sewing a bag: 22 tutorials and 25 top tips (how to succeed on your first try)

Sewing a bag yourself? That sounds much more complicated than it actually is. I'll let you in on a secret: with a simple pattern and the right instructions, even sewing beginners can breeze through it with ease.

At a glance

• I answer the most common questions about sewing bags – from choosing a pattern to finding the right fabric
• By the end, you’ll be ready to start your first self-sewn bag: You’ll know exactly how to get going
• With the instructions linked below, even beginners can successfully sew a bag on their first try
• Sewing newcomers should choose a professional pattern with many good reviews for their first project – this prevents sewing frustration
• As a bonus, my 25 top tips on sewing bags await you at the end of the post

Can I sew a bag as a beginner?

Oh yes! And with a lot of fun and a steep learning curve. There are sooo many great patterns for bags that you can sew even as a beginner. Completely without complicated sewing techniques. And often even without zippers.

And the best part: Simply cut bags like our popular "Quietschvergnügt" (Cheerful) bag are super versatile companions for a shopping trip at the farmers' market, for work, or for yoga.

My most important tip in advance: Don’t let a long set of instructions scare you off. Read the instructions through calmly and take a deep breath. Then, just take it one step at a time. You’ll notice: then it’s child's play. :)

If you find that you are missing important basic knowledge, I recommend my beginner sewing course, "The SewSimple Sewing License." You can take it online and watch it as often as you like. In short lessons, I explain clearly and step-by-step what matters. And at the end of the course, you will be holding your first self-sewn bag in your hands. Without deadline pressure or study stress! :)

Sign up for the online sewing course now

What do I need to know to sew a bag?

First things first: you need basic skills on the sewing machine. With an emphasis on basic. That means: familiarize yourself with your sewing machine and its core functions.

You should be able to sew straight seams and sew curves with your sewing machine. You should also have tried a zigzag stitch before. But you don’t need to know how to sew in a zipper. If a zipper is included for the bag, you simply work your way through the instructions step by step. Then it will work out!

Have you only sewn scarves and pillow covers so far? And now you want to sew your first bag? With a beginner pattern, you will definitely manage it, promised. At the end of this post, you will find suitable suggestions for simple bag patterns that you can conjure up even as a beginner.

How do I choose a pattern?

This is the most important step. It determines the success of your project. Besides your personal taste, these three points play an important role:

Sewing Level

Check the description of the eBook or paper pattern before buying: it will tell you in advance whether the pattern matches your sewing skills. It’s perfect if, as a sewing beginner, you choose patterns described with the difficulty levels "beginner," "level 1," or "easy."

Take a closer look at the photos: How do the seams run? Are there hurdles, such as working with particularly thick interfacing, stiff materials, or the use of zippers? Choose a bag with simple seams and few pattern pieces for the start.

Instructions

Are you a slightly more advanced sewing enthusiast? Then short, concise instructions will suffice. Over time, you will get the hang of which instructions work well for you. Just like with patterns, designers and eBook creators have their own style in instructions as well. And you will usually find this in all instructions from that brand.

Extra tip: To find out if you get along with the step-by-step instructions of a particular creator, you can try out one of their freebies. Then you’ll know if they speak a language suitable for beginners, if you understand the explanations, and also if you like the overall style.

In the next step, you can then buy a paid pattern if you like. Because then you already know that you will get along well with the instructions. Because nothing is sadder than a pattern that isn't sewn, right?

If you are just starting with sewing bags, I advise you: Look for a pattern that contains detailed step-by-step instructions with many pictures. Pictures often help me much better to understand what I should do. And for some patterns, there are even video tutorials.

A little extra tip: Look at the reviews of the patterns. Of course, the descriptions in the shop should contain all important key data. Besides that, customer reviews can also provide important clues about quality, fit, variation possibilities, as well as strengths and weaknesses of the pattern. But beware: consistently positive reviews that sound linguistically similar should make you suspicious. ;)

Sewing and reinforcing bags

The instructions usually state exactly which reinforcement your fabrics need so that the shape of the bag really comes out well. There are many different types of bag interfacing and stabilizers that give your bags a nice structure. Here are a few examples:

1. Foam stabilizer for sewing is used for stiff bags with lots of shape. The foam stabilizer is sewn onto the back of the bag parts within the seam allowance. A very common foam stabilizer is Style-Vil^*, which is wonderful to work with and is also perfect for smaller bags. You can, for example, sew a Boxy Bag with it to get to know the material better. Besides Style-Vil, Bosal^* is also a highly recommended material that is highly valued by American bag sewing fans. I use it just as gladly as Style-Vil.
2. Decovil light^* is a leather-like bag interfacing that is ironed on and adheres very firmly to the back of the fabric. It can be used for many types of bags. The "big brother" of Decovil light is simply called Decovil; it is significantly firmer and also harder to work with.
3. Vlieseline H250^*: A universally applicable iron-on interfacing that can also be used double if necessary to achieve greater stiffness. I actually always have a meter of H250 at home because, besides H630 and H640, it is the iron-on interfacing I use most frequently.
4. Cotton batting^*: usually consists of a mixture of cotton and synthetic fibers that stabilize the whole thing. Cotton batting is great for smaller bags and pouches. It is sewn classically within the seam allowance to the fabric parts.
5. Batting/Wadding^*: Some bag projects literally scream for great quilting that gives them support and shape. For this, you can use high-loft polyester batting. It has almost no weight of its own (this really shouldn't be underestimated with bags; nobody wants to wobble around with a 2-kilo bag on their arm, right?), but still gives your bag a nice volume.
6. Thin iron-on interfacing^*: always good for patch pockets or for small bags and pouches. Also a winner for bag flaps, tabs, or handles!

Suitable fabrics

Speaking of descriptions: in addition to the sewing level, it should also be noted there which fabric is suitable for the respective bag pattern.

Definitely check in advance which fabrics are intended for the pattern. In the best-case scenario, you have already sewn with the fabric. This way you know for sure whether you can handle it. If not, I recommend you: sew a test bag out of cheap fabric. This is also called a muslin/toile. This way you find out how the fabric behaves under the needle. That saves not only your nerves and your wallet but also your absolute favorite fabric. You should only cut into that when you are really sure that everything is right.

If you are still unsure which fabric is suitable for your planned project, feel free to take a look at my post Which fabric for what?

Which fabrics are suitable?

Whether cotton, linen, bag fabrics, decorative fabrics, canvas, corduroy, denim: many medium to heavy fabrics are suitable for bags. It always depends on the pattern and the bag size. In every set of instructions, you will find suitable fabric suggestions for that specific pattern. That helps you make a good decision when choosing fabric.

Besides the right fabric, in many cases, it also depends on the right reinforcement for bags: sometimes bags only get their special shape through a special bag interfacing, stabilizer, or batting. If you do without this type of fabric reinforcement, your result may end up differing from the original plan. That doesn't always have to be bad. But you should be aware that designers make material recommendations for a reason.

Ultimately, the combination of fabric and interfacing/stabilizer determines how easy or difficult the bag is to sew. So be careful with super thick or difficult-to-sew materials like leather or oilcloth. Not every sewing machine is able to handle multiple layers of these firm materials without problems. Especially at transitions where many fabric layers meet, this can lead to needle breakage and stress.

I don't mean to say that both materials are inherently unsuitable for beginners - they are simply not to be recommended for every bag project.

From my point of view, the best fabric choice for beginners? Cotton! It is available in an unbelievable number of great designs, colors, and qualities. It is easy to work with, washes without problems, and: you can unstitch the seams without stress if a mistake does happen.

For bags where you would like a water-repellent surface, I recommend coated cotton instead of oilcloth. It is also easy to work with, is water-impermeable, and is now available in many colors and patterns. If you like, you can of course also coat fabric yourself or sew the bag from homemade oilcloth/coated cotton.

Fabric recommendations

You can conjure up bags from 1001 fabrics. Here I will tell you the best fabric types and show you examples of what kind of bags you can sew from them.

• Cotton fabric: A true classic that is suitable for practically every type of bag. From cotton, you can create casual hobo bags just as well as organizers, stylish messenger bags as well as bag organizers. Read more here about sewing with cotton fabrics. Very trendy, by the way, are so-called border fabrics, on which the pattern appears somewhat irregularly. Coated cotton is, by the way, just as suitable for beginners, since the fabric does not fray due to the coating. Coated cotton is thinner than oilcloth and is wonderful to work with.

▶ You can order cotton fabrics here.^*

▶ You can order coated cotton here.^*

• Canvas: A sturdy cotton fabric with plain weave, which is used especially for larger bags like market bags or shopping bags because it is very resilient. Especially well-known and popular are the gorgeous Japanese Kokka fabrics, which make even the simplest bag pattern an eye-catcher.

▶ You can order canvas fabrics here.^*

• Heavy washed Canvas: Also a canvas fabric – but a very special one. For me, it is THE bag fabric. Why? Because it is incredibly robust and beautiful at the same time. It has slight wash marks that give it a used look. The weight tells you how stable this fabric is: at 475 grams per square meter, it is a real heavyweight. For comparison: "Normal canvas" usually weighs 260 - 300 g/sqm. If you (like me) have lost your heart to this uniquely beautiful fabric, however, you should have jeans needles ready right away. You will need them for this firm fabric. Also, strong scissors are necessary. I use my professional fabric scissors^* for cutting Heavy washed Canvas. And they are really necessary, no joke! Standard household scissors capitulate to this fabric. Luckily, you can now order these wonderful scissors from Simone^*.

▶^* You can order Heavy washed Canvas here.^*

• Decorative fabrics: Are often sturdy cotton or blended fabrics that are usually quite affordable and feature large prints; their plain weave gives them a slight linen look, the design selection makes them perfect for large bag projects where there is really "something to see"...

▶ You can order decorative fabrics here.^*

• Denim: A lovely, durable fabric for every type of bag imaginable: the larger the bag, the sturdier the denim should be. Important: Stretch denim is often available in stores; due to the elastane content, it is not always suitable for every type of bag. Upcycling your old jeans is also a great idea here!

▶ You can order denim fabric here.^*

• Corduroy: Soft shell, tough core; corduroy is a very durable material that used to be used for work trousers, known as "Manchester trousers." Some older sewing fans still refer to corduroy as "Manchester" today. Corduroy has a soft, ribbed pile surface that sits on a firmly woven base. Corduroy is also better suited for larger bag projects, but it also looks great as a combination fabric for smaller bags.

▶ You can order corduroy fabric here.^*

• Linen: Linen is not a very stable fabric and is therefore well-suited for somewhat smaller bags. If you would like to tackle a larger bag project using linen, you should reinforce the fabric beforehand. It is important to find a fusible interfacing that matches the tone of the fabric. In other words: a light-colored linen fabric requires a white interfacing, while a dark linen fabric should be reinforced with a dark/black interfacing. Why? The interfacing can occasionally show through the loose fabric structure. That doesn't look particularly good on the finished bag. Incidentally, this loose structure is precisely why linen sometimes warps when sewing. In my view, linen is not necessarily the ideal fabric for first bag projects. If you would like to know more about this, read my blog post on the topic of sewing with linen fabric. In it, I share tips & tricks on how to make your linen projects work well.

▶ You can order linen here.^*

• Oilskin: Waxed cotton or waxed canvas comes in many qualities. Not only can the thickness of the base fabric vary significantly, but the coating can also have different properties. There is "wet" oilskin, which feels distinctly greasy or waxy and is not washable. It develops clear crease marks when worn and sewn, which gives it its characteristic "used" look. The wax can leave stains upon contact or friction. In my experience, dry oilskin is better suited for beginners because it feels drier and is easier to work with. The used look is similar to that of wet oilskin, although dry oilskin does not bleed onto other fabrics quite as strongly. You can learn more about this great material in my post sewing with oilcloth.

▶ You can order oilskin here^*.

• Quilted fabrics: Pre-quilted bag fabrics are a good idea if you don't feel like reinforcing fabrics or doing the quilting yourself. However, note that these fabrics are often a bit thicker. Nevertheless, I consider them recommended even for beginners, because the fabrics usually don't fray at all or only very little and are excellent to work with. The bag fabrics from Swafing are particularly recommended here, with which you can conjure up fantastic bags with a very professional look. Also great as combination fabrics, by the way.

▶ You can order quilted fabrics here.^*

• Faux leather/Vinyl: A beautiful material for professional-looking bags. Faux leather is an outstanding material, especially for bag bottoms, because in addition to stability, it also has a durable surface. The fact that faux leather is often inherently firm and does not need to be reinforced makes the material one of the most popular fabrics for bags of all. You can get more info in my blog post sewing with faux leather. However, you can also sew complete bags from faux leather. For example, the Dillie cosmetic bag.

▶ You can order faux leather here.^*

• Oilcloth: Think of your grandmother's floral plastic tablecloth - that is oilcloth. A plastic layer that is applied to a fabric that is usually also made of synthetic fibers. Oilcloth can certainly do a good job as a wash bag or toiletry bag. However, it is usually so firm that it is not recommended as a material for a first sewing project. In addition to the negative environmental impact, oilcloth also brings a certain brittleness when sewing, so it is best processed with a Teflon foot or walking foot.

▶ You can order oilcloth here.^*

• Leather: Perhaps not for your first project - but definitely once you are a bit more confident in using the sewing machine. Leather is a great material and makes bags look high-quality. To get an impression of how sewing with leather works, you can start by sewing leather scraps as pretty little patches onto your bags. :)

▶ You can order leather here.^*

• Paper fabrics: Whether SnapPap, Tyvek, or Texipap - paper fabrics give your self-sewn bag a lot of structure and an extraordinary look. Before you start, it's sensible to try a few seams on a test piece, because these materials behave differently under the needle than fabric. As a combination partner with woven fabric, paper fabrics are unbeatable.

▶ You can order SnapPap here.^*

▶ You can order Tyvek (paper fabric) here.^*

▶ You can order Texipap here.^*

• Cork fabric: an uncomplicated, very durable material from which the most beautiful bags can be conjured. Cork fabric is firm and washable, and the fact that it doesn't fray makes it an ideal material for beginners. Important: Don't choose projects where many layers meet!

▶ You can order cork fabric here.^*

• Fabric scraps: The stuff that bag dreams are made of. Sewing with fabric scraps is not only super creative but also beginner-friendly. Why? Because you don't have to cut into expensive fabric but can simply make the best of scraps. You can find many tips for this in my blog post sewing with fabric scraps.

Tip: If you have the opportunity, also browse the local fabric shops or fabric markets for a new bag fabric. You know you've found the right one when the sight of it immediately triggers an urge to sew and you instantly have an idea of what the finished bag could look like.

What kind of sewing machine do I need?

Don't worry: You don't need a special sewing machine with numerous utility and decorative stitches. You can use your regular household sewing machine to sew bags.

An overlock machine is not necessary: It does save you some time because it sews, serges, and cuts in one step. However, it is only conditionally suitable for sewing bags. You could use it to serge the pattern pieces, but you can do that just as well with a simple zigzag or overcasting stitch on your regular sewing machine... :)

Reading tip: You can find out more about the right sewing machine here: Buying a sewing machine (the best tips).

What other accessories do I need to sew a bag?

You need the same accessories as for most other sewing projects:

• a sewing machine^*
• sewing needles^* that match the fabric
• sewing thread^*
• fabric scissors^*
• pins^*
• iron and ironing board
• measuring tape^* to determine body measurements

Oh, right! And you also need the sewing pattern plus fabric, of course. Everything else – for example, a rotary cutter – is optional. Or depends on the pattern: Maybe you need iron-on interfacing or bias tape... But that's all written in the sewing instructions for your bag.

Can I sew a bag without a pattern?

The short answer: Yes!

The detailed answer: Do you already have experience sewing bags? Then you can simply sew a bag by feel and without commercial patterns. In principle, all bags consist of geometric shapes. You could trace the pattern of a favorite bag. Or you take an A4 sheet of paper and use it as a pattern template.

Are you a sewing beginner? Then I advise you: Practice with a professional sewing pattern first. It guides you by the hand while sewing and saves you from frustrating experiences. Moreover, you can then specifically choose bag models that you currently need in terms of function, for example, backpacks, handbags, or messenger bags.

Where can I get beautiful zippers for my bags?

Yes, a good (and valid!) question. I searched for a long time myself until I found a reliable source for my beloved continuous zippers made of metallized plastic. Because I almost never use metal ones. It's just too much effort for me. And too risky for needle breakage.

My favorite shop for zippers is Simone's Etsy shop (which has been recommended here on the blog multiple times). They have wonderfully solid zippers in the most brilliant colors ever. And at an absolutely acceptable price, too. Definitely take a look!

Click here for the best zippers!^*

My 22 best bag sewing tutorials

Cut out, sew, and take your new favorite bag out immediately: These patterns are sewn in no time at all. They all have detailed instructions for a relaxed sewing experience.

A small extra tip: If you are still unsure whether you have really understood the instructions, sew a test piece first. This works great with unbleached cotton too. If you also use cotton sewing thread, you can batik your test piece in your favorite colors after finishing it. Then you not only have the certainty that everything works: You also have a cool, unique item right away!

Sew a windmill bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton fabric scraps, cotton fabrics
• You can sew this bag wonderfully from fabric scraps and don't need any patterns!

Sew now: Windmill bag

Sew an origami bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton fabrics, canvas, decorative fabrics

A beautifully shaped bag that holds a lot and is quickly sewn.

Sew now: Origami bag

Sew an XL shopper

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, faux leather, decorative fabrics
• Rating: 5 out of 5

A very simple pattern that forms into a sophisticated bag. The Loxx fasteners are super easy to attach. The zipper inserted into the bag flap secures a small extra compartment with room for keys, smartphone & Co.

Sew now: XL-Shopper Bodega

Sew a tablet case

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, quilted fabrics, canvas
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: The bag is easy for beginners to sew because the zipper is simply stitched onto the edges finished with bias tape.

Sew now: Tablet case

Sew an accordion bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim (also upcycled denim)
• Rating: 5 out of 5

All bag parts are finished with bias tape beforehand and then simply stitched together. You can make bias tape yourself. In my blog post How to sew on bias tape, I also show you what you should look out for.

Sew now: Accordion bag

Sew a foldover bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Woven fabric, faux leather, quilted fabrics, SnapPap, Texipap
• Rating 5 out of 5
• Looks extravagant, but is very easy to sew: the upper edge of the bag is casually folded over for the foldover bag. The eBook contains 2 pattern sizes.

Sew now: Foldover bag San Diego

Sew a shoulder bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim (also upcycled denim), quilted fabrics, faux leather
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: A classic handbag without any fuss.

Sew now: Red Rocks bag

Sew a cosmetic bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: all bag fabrics
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: A classic cosmetic bag with detailed instructions, especially for your "first time".

Sew now: Cosmetic bag Dillie

Sew a toiletry bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: all bag fabrics
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: Want to sew a bag with a zipper? Rae is a cosmetic bag with a wide opening and a beautiful shape. The eBook contains the pattern in 3 practical sizes

Sew now: Toiletry bag Rae

Sew a Japanese bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim, corduroy
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: Looking to sew a large bag? You've found it! Here comes a spacious bag that works just as well for a trip to the market as it does for a fancy shopping spree. It is sewn quickly from one meter of fabric without a pattern.

Sew now: Japanese bag

Sew an organizer (Utensilo)

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim, corduroy, quilted fabrics, cork fabric, SnapPap
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: An indispensable organization helper that is well-suited as a first sewing project for bag newbies.

Sew now: Organizer (Utensilo)

Sew a Furoshiki bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: A stylish Japanese knot bag, which is wonderfully suited as a Bento bag or an organizer with a handle. Several sizes included in the eBook.

Sew now: Furoshiki bag

Sew a leather bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Leather, faux leather, cork fabric, SnapPap
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: Simple single-layer sewn leather bag with a striking center seam.

Sew now: Leather bag Mattea

Sew a bag with faux leather

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim (also upcycled denim)
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• A classic bag with a split design in the Golden Ratio. The instructions with sewing video are deliberately detailed so that beginners can also sew along "in real-time". The eBook contains 3 bag sizes.

Sew now: Cosmetic bag Alsterprinzessin

Sew a bag with a zipper

• Sewing level: Experienced beginners
• Fabrics: Woven fabric, faux leather
• Rating: 4.8 out of 5
• Our Nanami bag with a zipper is one of the most popular patterns at SewSimple. Because of the inserted zipper in the front piece, you should only tackle it once you have already sewn a zipper. Alternatively, you can sew the bag without the extra closure.

Sew now: Nanami bag with a zipper

Sew a backpack

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Woven fabric, faux leather, SnapPap
• Rating: 4.7 out of 5
• A quick backpack that even beginners can sew very easily.

Sew now: Maritime backpack with faux leather

Sew a hip bag

• Sewing level: Beginner
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim (also upcycled denim)
• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Note: Simple hip bag in a flat shape. Thanks to the diagonally sewn-in straps, attachment pieces are unnecessary. This makes the hip bag (or fanny pack) even more beginner-friendly.

Sew now: Hip bag Napirai

Sew a square bag

• Sewing level: Patient beginners
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim (also upcycled denim)
• Rating: 4.6 out of 5
• A bag in a classic Biscornu shape. The individual bag parts are first prepared with the sewing machine and then connected with ladder stitches.

Sew now: Square bag Manta

Sew a tote bag

• Sewing level: Patient beginners
• Fabrics: Cotton, canvas, denim (also upcycled denim)
• Rating: 4.9 out of 5
• Looks sophisticated, but is very easy: The spacious fabric tote with Japanese flair is sewn quickly and offers plenty of room for shopping & co. A great project for heavy canvas fabrics with large patterns.

Sew now: Tote bag

Sew a shopping bag

• Sewing level: Patient beginners
• Fabrics: Woven fabric, faux leather
• Rating: 4.7 out of 5
• Beautifully simple: The Irma shopping bag offers plenty of room for creative design! It maintains its beautiful shape partly through the fleece interfacing and partly through the binding with bias tape.

Sew now: Shopping bag

Sew a bag without a pattern

You can see from my sewing examples: A pattern is not always necessary. Often, a simple square or rectangle is enough as a cutting template. Or you can cut the fabric directly with a ruler and rotary cutter on the cutting mat.

After that, for a simple fabric bag, you can just sew the sides and bottom, fold the top edge over twice and topstitch. A sewn-on webbing serves as a handle. Your quick bag is ready!

Sew a bag with a free pattern

Are you venturing into sewing a bag for the first time and don't want to buy a sewing tutorial right away? Browse through our collection Freebooks: Sew a bag. There you will find numerous free patterns.

BONUS: 25 Top tips for sewing bags

• Reinforce fabric before cutting: Fabric that is reinforced before cutting is easier to cut precisely. Another plus point: It can no longer warp due to the ironing on of the fusible interfacing.

• Cut straight edges with a rotary cutter and ruler, tight curves with scissors or a small rotary cutter: This ensures that all edges are cut cleanly. The cleaner the cut, the chicer the finished bag.
• If necessary, reinforce the lining of large bags as well: Sometimes it is not enough to just reinforce the outer parts of the bag. To give the bag more structure, it sometimes makes sense to also reinforce the lining pieces with interfacing.

• Backstitch seams: Seams on bags are often under a lot of tension. That makes it all the more important to lock the beginning and end of the seams by sewing forward and backward. This ensures that the seams of your favorite bag are durable.
• Use good quality branded sewing thread: A good branded thread is an important key to success for nice bag projects. You can recognize good threads by their soft sheen and tight twist. Are your spools of thread fuzzy? Then get rid of them!

• Wind the bobbin with the same thread as the needle: This is definitely not the place to skimp! The bobbin thread is just as important as the needle thread. Many machines also produce skipped stitches when different threads are involved here. Another plus: you can also topstitch from the wrong side of the fabric!
• Sew with a new needle that corresponds to the fabric weight: Especially with bags, beautiful, precise seams are what matter. A new needle is essential for this. Important: If you choose a sturdy fabric, your sewing machine needle should match the fabric thickness. Feel free to read my blog post about sewing machine needles.
• Adjust thread tension to the fabric: Thick fabrics sometimes require a little less thread tension than thin ones. Here you should test what looks best on your fabric – naturally using several layers, just as they occur in the bag project!

• Sew thick fabrics with a longer stitch length: Same here! Thick fabrics are sewn with longer stitches. You can simply test on a scrap piece which stitch length looks chicest. If you take a break or turn off the machine in between, you should take a quick photo of the machine settings with your phone camera beforehand. Then you can pick up exactly where you left off.
• Sew multi-layered projects or faux leather with a walking foot: For bag projects, the walking foot is your best friend. It helps you to feed many layers of fabric evenly. This way, you get a beautiful stitch pattern even with challenging fabrics or thick sections.

• Sew in the zipper using the zipper foot: Don't just do it somehow with the standard or zigzag foot. It is worth investing those 20 seconds to quickly attach the zipper foot. This ensures an even distance and makes it easier for you to guide the zipper pull past the presser foot.

• Use Wondertape instead of pins to fix the zipper: Are the many pins annoying you while sewing in the zipper? Then fix it with Wondertape instead. Stick the tape on selectively and only where the seam does not run. Otherwise, the needle will get sticky and cause skipped stitches.
• Sew thick seam beginnings with a height compensation tool or leveling button: Is your sewing machine acting up because the start of the seam is so thick? No wonder. Give it some help by placing a piece of fabric folded several times under the back of the presser foot. You can also use the black button – also called a leveling button – on your presser foot. Read more here about sewing over thick areas.

• Trim or press open seam allowances: Take good care of your bag's seam allowances. Finishing, trimming, unfolding, and shaping make a nice bag a perfect bag.

• Parallel seams with a twin needle: Don't struggle to sew two parallel seams freehand. That will never work. If you opt for topstitching with a twin needle instead, everything will be perfect!
• Topstitching with an edge-stitching foot: To maintain even distances, you can use simple tools. For example, the guide that comes standard with many sewing machines. Or you can sew the seam with an edge-stitching foot. It is equipped with a small guide that is led directly along the edge. Read more here about presser feet and their use.
• Leave the turning opening large enough: It just doesn't work – a large bag rarely fits through a tiny turning opening. And if you somehow manage to shove it through, the whole thing ends up so crumpled that you'll spend forever ironing out the wrinkles. So, leave a sufficiently large opening and simply close it by edgestitching with the sewing machine.

• Align the bottom seam with the side seam: One of the most important tips of all! It is not enough to position the bottom seam of your bag centrally in the corner. The pro move is: pinning the bottom seam and side seam precisely together before sewing the corner. The result: perfect!

• Encase the zipper ends: As beautiful as the fabric itself is – often the zipper gets all the attention because it is used in a prominent place. All the more reason to nicely encase its ends. A nice side effect: your bag corners can be shaped very cleanly when there is no crumpled fabric next to the zipper. Read my post Enclosing and sewing in a zipper.

• Simple inside pocket: A quick inside pocket to suit your needs is created from 2 rectangles sewn together and turned, which you simply topstitch onto the lining. Alternatively, you can also topstitch a pocket net onto the lining at the lower edge and include it in the side seam.
• Simple patterns are refined with piping: No matter how simple a pattern is – piping makes it something very special! Read my tutorial on sewing piping.

• Shape the corners neatly: After turning, the actual "yippee" moment arrives – shaping the bag. Under no circumstances should you skip this. By the way, shaping also includes one final "ironing boogie" to give the bag its finishing touch. This works great by pressing against the seam from the inside with tweezers or a wooden spoon while holding the iron against it from the outside.

• Install a zipper extension as a practical eye-catcher: Even a very simple little bag can be quickly upgraded with a zipper extension. And you can simply make it yourself from a fabric scrap. Attach it with a tie knot and you'll have full control over your zipper! I show you the tie knot in the tutorial Sewing a foldable bag.

• Seam allowances of divisions should always be pressed in the direction of the thinner fabric. This adds extra stability to the bag.
• Threading the zipper correctly: To ensure your continuous zippers run smoothly, you should thread the slider on the side where the teeth curve downward in a U-shape. This is also known as the zipper's smile... ;)

YouTube Video Sewing a Bag

Conclusion

In short: Whether beginner or pro – sewing bags yourself is simply fun. There are suitable sewing patterns for every skill level, leading to many moments of success.

Feel free to write in the comments which bag you want to sew first and how you got on with sewing garments!

Happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to sew a bag?

That depends entirely on the pattern: A bag with many patch pockets, seams, and zippers is more difficult than a simply cut pouch. But all in all, we can say: Beginners too can sew bags.

What do I need to sew a bag?

To sew a bag, you neither need advanced skills nor special decorative stitches. Do you have a sewing machine with accessories? Can you sew straight lines and curves? Then you have everything you need to conjure up your first bag: Choose a sewing pattern and fabric, and get started!

How do I best start now?

First, choose a sewing pattern that you like and that fits your abilities. Buy the right fabric. Wash it, iron it smooth, and prepare all your tools. Read the instructions all the way through once. Remember: Take your time and go step by step. Don't worry too much if you don't understand one point. Usually, everything becomes clear once you have completed the previous steps.