Sewing recommendations
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16 Indie Bag Sewing Patterns We’re Loving Right Now
by Polina K
Does anyone ever leave the house without a bag? Whether you’re totally committed to backpacks or can’t go anywhere without a trusty tote, bags are the single accessory that almost all of us use. When it comes to sewing, bags also make for super fun projects that are a little different from clothing patterns – not to mention the possibility of gifting them as presents to your lucky pals.
There are no fittings required, no bust darts to faff about with, and no adjustments to make. Just a simple, straightforward sewing project to fill your days with crafty mindfulness. Sounds rather lovely, doesn’t it?
To inspire your next bag project, we’ve put together 16 of our favourite bag sewing patterns currently available.
P.S. – Stuck in a sewing rut? There’s no better way to get your sew-jo back than with a cute bag pattern.
A Quick Note on Fabrics for Bag Sewing Patterns
Before we get stuck into our favourite bag sewing patterns, let’s have a quick chat about fabrics.
Medium-weight fabrics can be used in a few cases, such as when making teeny tiny clutches and evening purses. These aren’t going to hold many of your essentials, though, and you can forget packing ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ in these bags. Your phone, credit card, and lipstick are about all you’ll be popping in your purse.
If you’re sewing a bag that can lift a little more, go for a heavier fabric like Denim, Corduroy, and Gabardine.
It’s also really, really important (we can’t stress enough just how important!) that you don’t use a fabric with stretch. This will only make your bag bounce, warp, and lose its shape as soon as you pop anything in it. Not ideal.
There are also ways to make your bags a little sturdier and stronger, like with a sneaky bit of interfacing. Before adjusting your pattern, though, we recommend following the designers’ instructions carefully. They will have tried, tested, and improved their bag sewing patterns and their advice on how to sew them is basically sacred.
For interfacing and zips, we’ll include a link to our favourite bag stores at the end of this blog.
Now, fabric chat completed – let’s get into our collection of bag sewing patterns!
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Hangaround Bag by Puff and Pencil
A Scandi bag sewing pattern that’s bang on trend.
Get the Scandi look with the Hangaround Shoulder Bag. The small handle means it sits just beneath your armpit for an Insta-worthy vibe that’s totally on trend.
We’re having visions of this number in a Washed Denim fabric for that Y2K aesthetic.
Puff Bag by Trend Patterns
The perfect little bag for your scraps.
If you love cute, teeny-tiny bags, you’re going to fall head over heels for the Puff Bag sewing pattern.
A ruched handle, elasticated closure and bucket-style bag make for the perfect accessory for a night out with the girls. Sew this from your scraps for a quick project.
Lottie Bag by The New Craft House
Could this bag be any prettier?!
The Lottie Bag is chic and youthful, with the same ‘just-under-the-armpit’ design as the Hangaround Bag.
Add ruffles for a hint of girly cottage-core or go for a more minimal, Parisian vibe with simple curved seams. The strap is padded with wadding for extra comfort.
Mehri Bag by Fibre Mood
Fit everything and more in this oversized shoulder bag.
From summer picnics to shopping in the city, the Mehri Bag is the perfect choice for those who don’t pack light.
It’s a straightforward bag sewing pattern, with a little pop from the drawstring detail and curved seams. A cute and casual go-to shoulder bag that you can’t go wrong with.
Ikabanana Fanny Pack by Ikatee
A versatile fanny pack for your globe-trotting adventures.
The Ikabanana fanny pack sewing pattern is a must-have for festival lovers and worldwide explorers.
Choose from 3 sizes and 3 shapes to create a banana bag that fits all of your essentials, and add inside and outside zipped pockets for extra-secure storage.
Scrunchie Tote by Cool Stitches
Take your love of scrunchies to the next level.
This is possibly the cutest tote bag we’ve ever seen. Just look at that scrunchie handle!
The Scrunchie Bag pattern by Cool Stitches has an on-trend boxy shape, is fully lined, and there’s a handy little pocket inside for organising your essentials. Add a magnetic closure for the ideal everyday tote.
Bestie Bag by Black Bird Fabrics
Your BFF for easy-peasy exploring.
The Bestie Bag is another banana bag sewing pattern that’ll take you from Glastonbury to Greece.
There are 4 different size options - including everyday wear and an XXL for serious travellers - and you can switch up your look with either a cross-body or shoulder bag strap.
Orbit Bag by Helen’s Closet Patterns
For our quirky sewists who love to quilt.
The Orbit brings out the boho-chic in your bag collection. A gorgeous circular pattern, it has options for a quilted star and colourful stripes if you’re on the hunt for a standout bag.
For a more understated look, stick to the plain pattern and let the quilting and hardware do the talking.
Belt Bag Sewing Pattern by Core Fabric Store
Thrifty sewists, it’s a free bag sewing pattern!
We love a free sewing pattern, and this Belt Bag is a fun project to get your creativity flowing.
Sew it as a crossbody, waist bag, bum bag or moon bag, and rock your new fave accessory in a style that suits you. This is a great choice if you’re looking for bag sewing patterns you can make as presents.
Twin Tote Bag by Dhurata Davies
A practical, no-nonsense tote.
The Twin Tote is split into two compartments with a handy pocket nestled in between. This is a great laptop bag for our remote worker girlies!
Bring a twist to your basic tote with a gorgeous fabric - we can see this in a Petrol Corduroy or Striped Cotton Denim.
Aura Yoga Mat Bag by Named Patterns
For our zen sewists who love a sunrise salutation.
The Aura Yoga Mat Bag is simple, practical and just what you need when heading out the door to your favourite yoga class.
The cylinder-shaped, roll-top design is perfect for fitting standard yoga mats and comes with a handy detachable shoulder strap. Blissful.
Carrier Bag Sewing Pattern by Merchant and Mills
Say goodbye to single-use bags with this carrier bag sewing pattern.
We want to tell the world about this eco-friendly Carrier Bag pattern!
Two thick straps mean you can carry plenty of goodies, while the French seams and lined interior make this the most stylish carrier bag we’ve ever seen.
Stash Pocket Tote by Matchy Matchy Sewing Club
A patchwork masterpiece for your scraps.
If you have the itch for a patchwork tote or are looking for a fabric scrap project, the Stash Pocket Tote is a dream.
With multiple panels, you can mix and match your fabrics for an eclectic look, giving you the creative freedom to create a truly unique bag.
Town Bag by Grain Line Studio
Love pockets? We’ve got the bag for you.
The Town Bag is designed to cater to all of your carrying needs.
With interior and exterior pockets, there’s plenty of storage space for your odds and ends, while the drawstring makes it easy to open and close. Two handles attached with rivets create a sturdy finishing touch.
Le Sac de Plage by Atelier Brunette
This beach bag won’t look out of place in the French Riviera.
An elegant beach bag for seaside adventures, Le Sac de Plage is simple to sew, with a large exterior pocket and closure, and two chunky handles.
The oversized bucket design is ideal for all of your beach-side essentials. Pair with a pair of sunnies and a mojito for a winning combo.
Elevenses Backpack Sewing Pattern by Sew Liberated
A showstopper of a backpack.
The Elevenses Backpack is a stunning bag sewing pattern with quilted panels and an intricate design that makes it nothing short of a masterpiece!
You can adjust the size thanks to the handy roll top, the padded straps are super comfy, and there are tons of pockets for your adventures.
Find Hardware and Notions for Your Bag Sewing Pattern
None of these bags need a fitting, which makes a lovely change for us sewists! What many of them do need, however, are lots of little haberdashery essentials to add the finishing touches, like zips, webbing, buckles and special tools.
For all things bag accessories, you can’t go wrong with Merchant and Mills. In fact, they’re a great sewing brand for almost anything, and we’re often pulling inspiration from their range of beautiful indie sewing patterns. Take a peek at their Bag Making collection for lots of metal hardware and webbing.
We also recommend Jaycotts, a reliable sewing supplier that has a great collection of Bag Zips and Interfacing.
Share Your Bag Sewing Patterns
Got a bag sewing pattern you love? Share it with us on Instagram @good_fabric_store.
This is also a great place to reach out to our team if you can’t find the specific type of bag notion or hardware you’re searching for. We love a challenge, so don’t hesitate to send us a DM.
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