How to and pattern for this easy fabric hand bag
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| Slouchy bag |
This slouchy bag is easy to make, roomy enough to use as a beach bag and great for up-cycling old curtains, tablecloths or linen. Maybe even recycle a maxi skirt or winter scarf you’ve grown tired of? You can see the tutorial for this bag – here – as well. I can’t stop making them.
Ideally you want a firm fabric but if you have a softer piece of fabric you love, then buy – interfacing – and iron it to the back of your fabric to give it more body and firmness.
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| Stitch halfway up both sides – picture A |
I’ve made at least 10 of these bags so far. I keep giving mine away to friends who fall in love with them. So far, they have come up perfect in upholstery fabric, velvet, canvas, and denim. This one is made from an African print that I happened to have. I had to line this one with interfacing.
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| Stitch across top – picture B |
These bags are an easy way to buy into a current trend or colour, think Aztec print or neon. How about sparkly silver taffeta for a metallic version? And the very best bit? They are washable. When they get a bit grubby, pop them in the washing machine and they are good to go again.
You do need a sewing machine and very basic sewing skills to make this bag. The pattern is at the bottom of this post.
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| Stitch bottom of bag – picture C |
You need: –
- 2 x 800mm x 460mm pieces of fabric
- 2 x same size pieces of interfacing if your fabric is soft
- pins
- matching colour thread
- sewing machine
- sewing scissors
You do: –
Cut your pattern – and interfacing if needed. Iron interfacing to back of your fabric if required.
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| Fold corners and stitch across – picture D |
Place your pieces of fabric – right sides facing together (i.e. inside out) – and sew halfway up both sides. (See picture A) Sew across the top. (See picture B).
Open up bag so the two sides seams are on top of each other. Stitch the bottom of your bag. (See picture C).
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| Fold back edges and sew flat – picture E |
Fold the side cut-out corners of the bag flat and stitch across them to finish off the bottom of the bag. This creates a boxy shape to the base. (See picture D).
Fold back the edges and stitch them flat. (See picture E).
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| Fold top of bag in half and sew sides together – picture F |
Fold the top of your bag in half and sew the two sides together. (See picture F).
Fold the sewn together sides under so the join is underneath strap and not visible.
Voila! You new bag is done.
Scroll back up to the top of the page to visit the Greenie Galleries for loads more FREE sewing patterns and ideas.
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| Slouchy Bag Pattern |
I am not sure how are you doing measurements?? Pls help from baja
Hi there Renne
You need 2 x 800mm x 460mm pieces of fabric.
Hope that helps.
Greenie.
You lost me at: Fold the top of your bag in half and sew the two sides together. (See picture F). Fold the sewn together sides under so the join is underneath strap and not visible.
I really don’t understand this part. Do you have more pictures?
Kind regards out of Belgium!!
Louise
Hi Louise
You’re basically trying to scrunch the fabric together at the top of the bag so it makes a strap that can fit on your shoulder.
I fold it in half, in half again, and in half again. Then sew it so it stays in place.
Try this version.
http://www.greeniedressesforless.com/2018/04/fabric-bag-free-sewing-pattern.html
All the best,
Greenie.
Nope, still don’t get it. Where do the handles come from? Are they strips attached? The notch isn’t big enough to create those long handles. Totally lost in all your tutorials for this, but I want to make it so bad!
Thanks your response Jane. So wish I could show you in person how easy this bag is to make. I’ve made at least 10 of them.
I totally understand your frustration trying to figure out a pattern. Been there.
If you got to Bags in the blog you will find this bag in myriad forms.
Maybe a different tutorial may help it come to life?
The notch is at the bottom. So don’t look for straps that end of the bag.
There is only one shoulder strap and it’s at the opposite end of the notches.
The fabric gathers up to form a single shoulder strap.
If you still struggle – please Inbox me. I will try and explain it to you in person.
Maybe even make a video for you.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Greenie.