Thirty distinguished bag designs to stitch by hand
In the world of DIY crafting, making your own bag can be both a practical and creative endeavour. From tote bags to backpacks, there's a pattern for every skill level. Here's a roundup of some of the best bag sewing patterns available, suitable for both beginners and advanced sewists.
For Beginners
Starting with tote bags is recommended as they involve mainly straight lines, simple shapes, and are quick to sew, helping beginners gain confidence. Some of the best beginner-friendly tote bag patterns include:
- Easy Tote Bag: Made with just 1/2 yard of fabric and a lining, this pattern involves simple shapes and minimal darts for a boxy shape ideal for beginners.
- Japanese Style Square Bag: Features easy darts and comes with instructions to make two sizes, suitable for beginners looking to try darts while still keeping the process simple.
- Button Tote Bag: Comes with a detailed video tutorial, includes three size options, and requires no overlocking, making it very beginner-friendly.
Other beginner-friendly patterns include the Kelly waist bag, a contemporary fanny pack available for free from Love You Sew, and the Wallet sewing pattern, ideal for beginners, available from Bookhou for £7.
For Advanced Sewers
For those seeking more challenging projects, there are patterns that incorporate complex techniques and materials. The Bucket Bag from Chanel Fabric, for instance, requires reinforcement interfacing, precise seam allowances, topstitching with different stitch lengths, and handling various fabric types like faux leather or oilskin. It involves a multi-step process that includes careful preparation and precise sewing for a chic finished product.
Another advanced pattern is the Zippered Teacher Tote Bags, which require more skill in adding functional elements like zippers while working with canvas fabric and coordinating multiple fabric pieces.
A Wide Range of Patterns
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced sewist, there's a bag pattern out there for you. For example, the Grocery bag pattern is simple to sew and available from Sew Over It for £6, while the Ellie Hobo bag pattern is a large, relaxed tote bag, available from IThinkSewBags for £7.63.
For those who prefer backpacks, the Hilda bag pattern is a backpack and bike pannier, available from Made My Wardrobe for £12.50, and the Chickadee backpack pattern is practical and has an online workshop available, available from Sew Sweetness for $9.
There are also patterns for more specific needs, such as the travel wash bag made from high-quality thick waxed cotton canvas, and the lunch bag pattern made from reusing old jeans.
Inspiration and Resources
If you're looking for inspiration, TV shows like The Great British Sewing Bee, The Great Pottery Throw Down, and Interior Design Masters are great places to start. To help you get started, consider checking out guides on sewing for beginners, using a sewing machine, best sewing machines for beginners, and sewing kits for beginners.
So, whether you're a beginner looking to dip your toes into the world of bag sewing or an advanced sewist ready to take on a challenging project, there's a pattern out there for you. Happy sewing!
| Skill Level | Recommended Bag Patterns | Features & Techniques | |-----------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Beginner | Easy Tote Bag, Japanese Style Square Bag, Button Tote Bag, Kelly waist bag, Wallet sewing pattern | Simple shapes, minimal darts, video tutorials, quick sew | | Advanced | Bucket Bag with interfacing, Teacher Tote with zipper, Hilda bag pattern, Chickadee backpack pattern | Reinforced fabrics, precise seam allowances, topstitching, zippers, multiple fabric layers |
- Apart from tote bags, there are handmade craft patterns for Japanese Style Square Bags that are suitable for beginners, featuring easy darts and simple shapes.
- For advanced sewists who seek more challenging projects, the Crochet technique can be applied to create intricate designs in a Zippered Teacher Tote Bag.
- Quilting enthusiasts might find the Ellie Hobo bag pattern appealing, as it's part of the wide range of handmade craft patterns available for home-and-garden DIY projects.
- When looking for fashion-and-beauty inspiration, food-and-drink shows like The Great British Sewing Bee can provide a wealth of ideas, alongside guides on sewing techniques for both beginners and advanced sewists.
