Fabric Bags

bags-from-Old-Town-Fabric-Berea-KY

These bags are great for gift bags, candy dishes, thread catchers, or whatnot bags. I’ve made several of them, but never the larger size. I thought would show better in the pictures for this tutorial, so here we go. I have included a size chart at the end of this tutorial and, of course, there is a pattern for you to download and treasure forever.

Fabric Basket Choices

This size uses four fat quarters (FQs) , two for the inside of the bag and two for the outside,.  It will finish about 12″ tall, which is almost big enough to add handles and call it a purse.

Cut (4) 16″ squares. If you would like a stiffer bag, you can press fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the 16″ square that you will be using for the bag exterior.  Follow manufacturers instructions. For this bag, I used a lightweight fusible, which I think makes it a little soft. But I still might add handles.

Place the matching squares right sides together.  Sew a 1/2″ or 5/8″ seam along three sides. Make two sets, one for the outside and one for the lining. I used a 5/8″ seam because that line was easier to see on my machine’s needle plate.

Fusible Interfacing on the Back of Fabric

BUT…

you must leave an opening for turning on the lining set.  In other words, partially sew one side, skip two inches, then finish the seam.

Cut a square out of the two corners where the seams overlap. Thank it for it’s service and throw it away.   Do this for both sets.  Press all seams open.

Cutting the Corner
The picture shows a Creative Grid Square Ruler and Ginger Scissors

Now comes the tricky part…

Open up one cut corner with your fingers.  Match the two pressed-open seam allowances and sew a 1/2″ or 5/8″ seam. Sew both cut edges and you will see that you have just made one-half of the bag.  It should stand by itself.  Do the same with the other set.

Sewing the Corners

Turn the outside of the bag so the right side is out.  Leave the lining turned inside out.  Place the BAG inside the LINING. 

Place the Bag inside the lining

Using a 1/2″ or 5/8″ seam, sew the top edge all the way around in a circle.  Pin those opened seams so they line up.

Yes, that’s my new Janome Sewing Machine. I took the tray off so the bag would fit around the needle plate area.

Now reach your hand in through the opening in the lining.  Gently pull the bag out. It’s just like giving birth, isn’t it?

Stop throwing things! I was kidding!

Pulling the lining out of the basket

Close up the hole in the lining either by hand or by machine. Put the lining inside the bag and smooth all lumps and bumps.  Press the top edge and topstitch the circle opening if you like.  Do you have a fancy stitch on your machine that would look good?

Topstitching the edge

You can use the bag as it is, or roll the top edge over to make a cuff.  Now that you have the basic process down, you can make another one with variations.  How about piecing the outside of the bag, prequilting it, or adding a pocket to the outside or the lining?

Three different sizes of bags

The dimensions I have given you in this pattern are not absolute. Did you notice that I changed the size of the corner square? Feel free to experiment with different size squares and/or different size cut-outs.  Would it make a pencil carrier if you started with a rectangle? Try it and see!

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32 thoughts on “Fabric Bags”

  1. Put some cookies in a plastic bag and into the fabric bag and what a great gift to let someone know you are thinking about them!

  2. these are wonderful. thanks for sharing. I can see putting something inside and giving the whole thing as a gift. Thanks for inspiring.

  3. There’s always a need for bags like these and you made them look so easy. Love them all! Thanks for sharing!

  4. I’ve seen people cut them out before sewing them, too, but this way is just as easy for me. The size of the cut-out controls the size of the interior of the bag.

  5. I’m working on a shallower one now for dinner rolls. I am using really stiff interfacing – I suppose you could make bowls this way too. Hmm….

  6. I was a bit embarrassed by how quick and easy these are. I thought maybe I was cheating the blog hop a little bit by not making something more elaborate. But we all need easy from time to time!

  7. Kris these are the perfect gift bag! If you don’t put interfacing on it and add a tie to the side seam it will make reusable gift bags. See how you inspired me to think outside the box? 😉. My families are using recycled gift bags for their Christmas gifts. Every year I wind up making stacks for their households, but if I make them using your tutorial they should last for years!

  8. I’ve made them without interfacing and they are outright floppy. But adding a tie to the outside is clever – oh, I know! Wine carriers! I will have to experiment with shapes, that can’t be square:-))

  9. I can see how just making one will never work. Those bags are the so fun, lovely and perfect size for so many uses. Thanks for the step by step tutorial. I love making things when I have visual guidelines to work with!!

  10. Perfect. These are great gifts or fun to put a gift inside. Thanks for the tutorial and the different size chart. Love that HeatNBond interfacing!!!!!!

  11. These little bags are perfect for those little things we don’t want to loose around the house. Great gift giving bags yoo

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