45 Awesome Free Bag Making Tutorials
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Make a useful gift with these free bag making tutorials.
Bags are a great project for a beginner sewer. The patterns are usually easier than, say, clothing and you don’t have to worry so much about getting the fit right. They are also super useful and make a great gift!
Please note: Some authors ask that you don’t use their patterns and tutorials to make bags for commercial purposes, so check out their site for copyright details.
45 Awesome Bag Tutorials
Sew your own gorgeous bags using one of these free tutorials
Reversible Sling Bag Tutorial
This simple sling bag is great for toting things around when you don't want the fuss of pockets and zips. The pattern is reversible!
Reversible Tote Bag
Super easy to make and very stylish. The pattern is easy to follow (I've made this one).
Recessed Zipper Shoulder Bag Tutorial
Do you like pockets in your bag? This simple shoulder bag has a zippered pocket for when you want something a little more secure.
Basic Messenger Bag
The embroidery on this old-fashioned bag is optional but super cute.
Fat Quarter Shoulder Bag
This bag is made from quilter's fat quarters and features a pocket on the front.
Crocheted Beach Bag
Do you prefer to crochet rather than sew? Here's a crochet beach bag that would be great for all sorts of casual outdoor events.
Shoulder Bag Tutorial
Step-by-step instructions for a simple shoulder bag.
The Lindie Bag
A simple shoulder bag with crisp lines made from quilter's fat quarters
Slouch Bag Tutorial
Slouch bag tutorial with a nice wide comfy strap. The tutorial is PDF.
Square Bag Tutorial
This bag has lots of cool pockets and pen holders! A bit more advanced but detailed instructions.
Millie Tote/Purse Tutorial
Go beyond the square purse. This purse is so super cute!
Tote Bag Tutorial
This tutorial is divided into two articles. You can find part two here.
Very Easy Tote Bag Tutorial
This large tote bag is great for the beach or for the farmer's market.
RUFFLED TOTEBAG
For when a girl needs a few ruffles and a bit of glamour.
J-Caroline Tote Bag
This link is to a PDF. I love this bag it's so sophisticated. I've made it several times for gifts.
Shorts Bag
Upcycle your old short by turning them into a bag! Frugal and useful.
Origami Bag Tutorial
Two fat quarters and some ribbon is all you need to make this origami bag.
Box Bag Tutorial
This boxy pouch is great for cosmetics or for craft stuff you need on the go.
Envelope Style Makeup Bag Tutorial
Instructions to make a small purse for makeup.
Lined, zippered pouch / make up bag tutorial
This zippered pouch is great for coins, makeup, first aid and other small bits and bobs that can get lost in a bag.
tutorial : pyramid pouch
A pouch in a pyramid for something a bit different. Great gift idea for a young girl.
Perfect Box Pouch Tutorial
This box pouch is great for makeup, craft items or purse first aid. It would also make a great gift for a young girl.
Small Purse with Licence Window
This purse is just big enough for the essentials: money, cards and phone.
Drawstring bag - French seam :: a tutorial
The most basic of bags: the simple drawstring bag. Make a few of these for presents to replace wrapping paper at least among the family.
Little boxy pouch tutorial
Another box pouch for bits and bob.
Diaper Bag with Lots of Pockets
The perfect gift for the expectant mum: a beautiful nappy/diaper bag.
Hip Mama Diaper Bag
I made this nappy bag before my children were born and it served me perfectly for both kids before being passed on for someone else to use. Very sturdy construction.
Simple Backpack
This simple backpack would make a great children's gift.
Shopping Bag Pattern
This lined shopping bag is finished off with a French seam, making it very strong. I made this bag 10 years ago from an old sheet and it is still as strong as ever. This pattern is more complicated than some of the other shopping bags but worth the effort because it will last many years!
Eco Shopping Bag Tutorial
This patchwork shopping bag is made from scraps. Don't waste the bits of off-cuts - turn it into a shopping bag!
Summer Beach Bag
A large bag to fit all the stuff in mum's carry around.
No Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag In 10 Minutes
No-sew bag from an old t-shirt. A quick and easy project.
Laptop Bag Pattern
Sew a super cute and functional carry bag for your laptop.
Purse with Round Handle
You can find all sorts of purse-making paraphernalia at your craft store. Try some funky handles for something a bit different.
Rope Basket Purse Tutorial
A trendy bag made from clothesline rope that you can buy in the hardware store.
Connect the Boxes Backpack Tutorial
Make your own backpack. Great gift idea for a child.
Sew a See-Through Bag
See-through vinyl tote for craft items or for when you want to show everyone you're reading War and Peace.
The Envelope Clutch Bag
A small, stylish clutch for special occasions.
Free Yoga Mat Bag Tutorial
Carry your yoga mat in style with a yoga mat bag.
Looking for more free bag making tutorials? Check out the companion article here. This will give you nearly 100 to choose from!
I was checking something on google and found out that my bag tutorial (The Eternal Beauty bag) is mentioned here. I just wanted to say thanks for including it. It’s my first tutorial so I’m glad it got included!
Daphna – Januar Designs
I love your bag design and tutorial – it’s great.
Hey, thanks for the mention of my makeup bag tutorial! If you love bag tutorials you can also check out my “charm pack rag quilt bag. I think it is pretty popular and one of my better tutorials. Nice blog!
Thank you for mentioning my scrappy bag tutorial!
Ciao from Rome, Italy! :)
Grazia
I would pay if they were under $5.00, but not $10.00.
Cute bags though.
Hi Mel, awesome site! I am so-o-o glad i have subscribed to your posts.
About the poll though, 10 USD are like 500 in the currency where I’m at and I can buy almost 10 cool bags in that.. rip them up and make patterns out of them for using for myself… so would I pay $10.. uhm.. no! :D
Thanks for posting this wonderful list of bag tutorials. I am new to sewing and am having a great time trying out these fun tutorials!
Ta. I’m a learner sewer and have made a few of these myself.
New to sewing and hoping to try something these out.
thanks so much for all the great tutorials…..hmmm now deciding which one to make :)
Hi Claire, thanks for leaving a comment. Yeah, there’s lots of good ones, I’ve made a few now.
amazing stuff , really thank you very much on sharing this with us
Thanks Cristina
What does it mean where the name of the bag is crossed out?
I really love finding round up posts for things I haven’t started doing yet but want to. I have LOTS of old tshirts that I want to turn into bags so this will almost certainly be a jumping off point for me, when I get into sewing!
Thanks!
Hi Kelli,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately as this post is over a year old now, the crossed out name means the link is broken because the website no longer exists or it has been changed. I will update the post sometime in the future, time permitting.
Really great to see these bags, I’ll give it a try! Thanks!
these bags are so nice! going to try them! however for many of the links, not just the crossed out ones, says that it was removed.
Thanks Lauren, I will have to look into that. It’s an old article, many of these websites will have been shut down, so maybe time for a new one with new links!
Hi, this is a GREAT resource. I am a new sewer and definitely appreciate your taking the time to post this info. Have a beautiful day. Tamara :)
Thanks Tamara, hope your sewing goes well, I’m a novice sewer also, and love sewing bags because they’re pretty easy.
I LOVE the envelope make up bad. I was about to buy one this weekend but now I think I’ll make it :]
Good luck with the make up bag Damie!
I need to know how to do as sew margaret bag. I still have patterns but no directions tht I need to know abt it. Pls let me know abt it. Thank you roslyn
The author of the Margaret bag pattern has retired the post. I have no control over that, I’m sorry.
All the bags are just beatuiful and thank U so much for sharing this with us who needs a lot of help trying to learn to sew on the internet! I have also Pinterest this.
:)
Thanks Ellen! Ah Pinterest, I spend too much time on Pinterest :)
I hope your sewing adventures go well. As a beginner myself, I find bags are a great project to sew. Very satisfying.
Ruffled Tote Bag looks so special
This is just such a neat collection..you sure must have put some time in for this… will try to make atleast a couple of these adorable bags…
Thanks Ramya
I am always looking for new ideas for my next projects. I found the bag projects posted here very interesting and I am going to use one right away!Very cute and practical! Thank you very much for sharing.
Greetings from South Africa, I am a 54 year old male who enjoys to sew. I have created my own version of the “shopping bag” simply because I HATE plastic bags.
I am certainly going to try and create some of your bags the instructions are clear and simple.
I have found your blog most helpful indeed.
Best regards.
Whoa, perfect! I was looking for project bag ideas and ways to use up (okay, I lie — for excuses to buy) fat quarters. Thanks so much for doing all the legwork. This must have been a pain to compile, but what an awesome resource.
(And as a bonus, I have a new blog to read while pretending to work tomorrow! Sweet!)
i would like the pattern to the AVA bag. I clicked on it and i got a blank page.
Thank you
wrong…i meant the JENNY bag! I have been looking at tooo many sites.
I’ve had a look and from what I can see the tutorial has been moved. I’m afraid I have no control over other sites – I recommend that you contact the owner of the blog Lola…again.
Hi there..just want to say thanks! I’m enjoying this.
Just a tip..the Oragami purse (when you click- it’s nothing but spam)
Regards:)
I’m so glad you were able to update the link to my Origami Bag Tutorial – now there’s just a couple of typos in my name but it links to the right place. Thanks!
Sorry about that, it’s a big job. All fixed now I think.
I hope you will include my free Coco bag pattern here too? :)
http://blog.chriswdesigns.com/2012/02/free-bag-pattern-coco.html
Christine
– ChrisW Designs