Sewing Instructions for a Small Bag

Would you like to sew something small and practical, perhaps with your child? Then a small bag is just the thing.

What you need

  • Fabric scraps, for example corduroy, boiled wool, or muslin buy here
  • Pattern   
  • Buttons  
  • A sewing machine 
  •  Fabric and paper scissors 
  •  A sewing needle 
  • Thread

Sewing instructions 

1. Cut the pattern out of the paper. 
2. Place the right sides of the fabric (the sides that should face outward at the end) together.  

3. Transfer the pattern and markings (also called notches—the small cuts along the edge) onto the fabric.

4. Sew along the bottom edge of the bag from both outer sides to the markings (notches) on the pattern, leaving an opening of approximately 5 cm in the middle. The seam should be 1 cm from the edge. The entire bag has a 1 cm seam allowance.

5. Press the seam open so that it lies neatly and smoothly at the end without creating wrinkles.

6a. Now comes the tricky part: folding it correctly. The notches will help you with positioning. Fold the bottom edge of the corduroy up to the top notch. 

6b. Then place the top edge of the lining (the stiffened fabric) flush with the top edge of the corduroy, so that the fabric layers form a “W” when viewed from the side.

7. Cut off a piece of the ribbon about 7 cm long and form it into a loop.

8. Place the loop between the two layers of fabric, centered at the top edge.

9. Now sew the bag together, again with a 1 cm seam allowance. Leave the bottom edge of the bag open.  

10. To prevent too much fabric from gathering inside the bag when turning it right side out, trim the excess corners now. It’s important not to cut too close to the seam, or it may come undone again. The 1 cm seam allowance can remain along the straight sides of the bag.

11. Reach through the hole from step 1 and carefully turn the bag right side out.

12a. You can now topstitch the flap and the opening of the bag once more to close the turning hole.

12b. It’s best to start in one of the corners and sew all the way around the top edge of the bag, close to the edge or using the edge of the presser foot as a guide (0.5 cm).

13. Turn the bag inside out and lay the corners neatly flat. Measure 2 cm from the corner and mark this line.

14. Sew once across the corner, then repeat the same thing on the other corner.

15. Turn the bag right side out one last time, and then you’re almost done.

16. All that’s left is to position the button and sew it on.

17. Done! From now on, you can fill the bag with anything you like.

 

Back to blog