sewn bag Archives - FaveCrafts

New Edition! “Sewing Bags: Tutorial You’ll Love & 15 Free Purse Sewing Patterns” eBook

December 5, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 2 Comments

There’s no such thing as too many purses. Whether you need a laundry bag, a gym tote, or a gorgeous evening clutch, there are bags for all occasions. Sewing a bag is always a great way to spend an afternoon, since it’s a project that you’ll use over and over again. They make for wonderful gifts, especially around the holidays! In the spirit of Christmas sewing, we at AllFreeSewing have put together a revamped, better-than-ever, new edition of our eBook, Sewing Bags: Tutorials You’ll Love & 15 Free Purse Sewing Patterns.

From over-the-shoulder sling bags to linen jewelry bags, this free eBook has a little taste of everything. It’s the perfect collection of bags and purses, full of variety. You’ll find tutorials for refashioned bags, vintage patterns, organizer projects, and bags for every age.

Bags for the Fashionable Sewist

This bag is so stylish and pretty! The DIY Rug Clutch is a clever way to refashion an old rug. This bag is such a great addition to any outfit. Plus, it’s an easy project to sew. This tutorial will teach you how to insert a lining, button, and zipper to make a sturdy, life-proof clutch out of a discarded piece of home decor.

Bags for Dr. Mom, MD

Everyone knows that being a Mom means that you’re also a teacher, artist, lawyer, chef, and of course, doctor. Never be without a Band Aid and some Neosporin, thanks to the adorable Emergency Zipper Pouch! This great little on-the-go bag is perfect for skinned knees and bruises. This zippered pouch is easy to sew and includes a little keychain so that you can keep it with you no matter where the emergency is.

Bags for the Overnighter

This project is Not Just Another Pretty Purse. This big bag is stylish and pretty, but more than that, it’s useful. The bag’s shape and size make it perfect for overnights. Whether you’re jet-setting off for a weekend vacation, attending a work conference, or just packing the kids up for a weekend at Grandma’s, this bag will hold all of the essentials.

Download your free copy of Sewing Bags: Tutorials You’ll Love & 15 Free Purse Sewing Patterns today!

What items do you always carry in your purse, no matter what?

National Sewing Month 2013: Watermelon Pencil Case Tutorial from Creating My Way To Success

September 27, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 19 Comments

It’s Day Twenty-Seven of National Sewing Month! Too see the daily blog posts, projects of the day, and more National Sewing Month details, click here.

Hi – I’m Jill from Creating my way to Success and I’m thrilled to be here for National Sewing Month.

Today I want to show you how to make this very cute watermelon pencil case. My girls love pencil cases and it seems you can never have too many!

So here goes. You’ll need scraps of red, white and green fabric, a zip, some black buttons and some paper and pencil.

To make your pattern – simply draw a slice of watermelon. Don’t worry about getting it perfect – fruits are not all exactly the same size and shape! Here’s mine on an A4 sheet of paper:

You cut out this whole slice you have drawn and use it as the pattern to cut your inside fabric – two pieces. Remember for each piece you cut – cut a little wider than your pattern to allow for the seams:

To cut the pieces for the outside of the pencil case, cut along the lines of your pattern for the red, white and green parts to be separate. Then use these 3 pattern pieces to cut your colored pieces of fabric for the outside of your pencil case – again remembering to cut wider than your pattern piece to allow for seams. Cut two of each color.

Now you need to pin then sew each colored piece together in turn. Remember to pin the right sides of the fabric together – and use plenty of pins to keep the curves in line!

To add the seeds to your watermelon slice – simply stitch on some black buttons in random spaces. Remember to do this for both sides of the pencil case!

The Zip

My zip was about 24cm (9″) long. You can use a longer or shorter one, and use scrap fabric to cover both ends to make it the same width as your watermelon slice. Here’s how:

Take rectangular scraps of whichever fabric you like – I chose my inner red fabric. Place 2 pieces right sides together on either side of the zip, pinning where you want the zip to end. Stitch these pieces in place, and trim the very end of the zip off.

Repeat this with the other end of the zip – then trim the edges of the fabric in line with the zip.

Putting it all together

Lay one side of your watermelon slice face up. Place your zip face down on top, then one of your inner fabric pieces right sides down on top of that. Pin them using your zipper foot stitch close to the zip teeth.

To prevent the fabric from catching in the zip, open out the fabrics and pull back from the zip. Top-stitch along the edge of the zip.

Now the other half of the watermelon slice. Place your other inner fabric piece face up. Then the part with the attached zip face up on top. Finally your other watermelon slice face down on the very top – face down. Pin and stitch with your zipper foot, and once again pull the fabric back from the zip and top-stitch the other side.

Now open out your pencil case with the zip in the middle. Make sure the zip is open. Then flip over fabrics so you have both inner fabrics on one side and both outer fabrics on the other side. Pin these pieces together around the curved edges. Leave a gap of a few inches on the inner fabric side. You’ll need this to turn the pencil case out.

Stitch all the way around the edges – just leaving the gap for turning out. Turn the pencil case right sides out, pin, and stitch the opening closed.

Done! Congratulations, you’ve made a cute watermelon pencil case!

I hope you liked this tutorial. There are heaps more on my blog so please do come and visit me at

Creating my way to Success.

Happy National Sewing month to all!

Do you still use a pencil case – even if you aren’t in school?

The Little Belt Bag from Domestic Diva: National Sewing Month 2013

September 18, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 34 Comments

It’s Day Eighteen of National Sewing Month! Too see the daily blog posts, projects of the day, and more National Sewing Month details, click here.

Hi! I’m Gloria from Domestic-Divaonline.com and I’m so happy to have been invited to celebrate National Sewing Month with you on this blog. Thank you FaveCrafts! In honor of this event I’m sharing a fun new project which I call, The Little Belt Bag. The strap is actually one of my belts. I like this design of this bag because it’s convertible. I can wear the bag hanging from my shoulder or remove the belt and carry the bag like a clutch. And when the bag isn’t hanging from my shoulder, I have another belt to wear! There are other great features like the fact that it opens flat for packing and it has outer pockets to hold items you want to access quickly. It’s the perfect size bag for when you don’t want to carry all those things you haul around daily. I’m taking mine on vacation this month. Look for a belt in your closet and give this project a try!

What You’ll Need

A thin belt
Faux Leather Vinyl
Faux Suede
Lining Fabric
Fleece
Fusible Interfacing
1” Flat Webbing
Two Magnetic Clasps
.25” Flat Brass Wire (optional)

Cut the fabric in the following sizes:

Faux Suede and interfacing – top bag trim 18” x 3.25”, pocket lining 8” x 6.25”
Faux Leather – pocket 8” x 6”, belt casing 6.50” x 1.25”, outer bag 8” x 13” (two pieces)
Lining and interfacing – 8” x 12” (two pieces)
Fleece – 8” x 5.5”
Webbing – 6” x 1”

NOTE: The seams on this project are .25” to eliminate bulk and the need for trimming.

Finished bag measures approximately 6.50” x 6” with the flap closed.

1) Sew the short ends of the webbing to the belt casing. The webbing will give the casing support and allow the belt to glide between it easily.

2) On the right side of the vinyl, place a horizontal piece of painter’s tape four inches from the top of the vinyl. Align the long edge of the casing with the tape, centering it with equal spacing on the left and right.

3) Sew the casing to the vinyl. My belt is .75” wide. If yours is wider, increase the size of the casing to match. Be sure all the metal on your belt will fit through the casing.

4) If my pocket looks like it’s pieced together, that’s because it is. I made this bag with scraps from another project and didn’t have one piece big enough to cut out the pocket. I turned this potential problem into a design opportunity and top-stitched the pieced seams open. I like way it added to the finished look of the bag.

Sew the right side of the suede pocket to the right side of the vinyl pocket. Turn the suede to the wrong side of the vinyl. The seam becomes the horizontal trim and the rest of the suede becomes the pocket lining. Pin the two pieces together and top-stitch close to the seam.

5) Determine the pocket widths you want and sew the pocket to the vinyl piece with vertical top-stitching. I created a space for my iPhone, for my business cards, and for a pen. You can personalize your bag to suit your needs.

6) To create one side seam for the bag, place the second vinyl piece on top of the first with right sides together. Sew a .25” seam through all of the layers. Lay the work flat.

7) Sew the top suede trim across the entire width of the vinyl, both front and back pieces. This will be folded over to create the top trim later.

8) Stitch one side seam of the interfaced lining. Sew the lining to the suede piece.

9) Sew one side seam on the fleece pieces. Lay it across the lining with the bottoms matching and sew the fleece to the lining.

10) Fold the work in half, pin together, and sew the second side seam.

11) Temporarily turn the lining into the vinyl to check placement for the clasps. The top fold of the bag will create a one-inch suede trim. Place the matching clasp hardware inside the two trims pictured (red arrows). This will hold the large opening closed. The prongs for this clasp should only pierce through the suede layer inside the bag. An additional clasp holds the bag flap down. Half of that clasp is attached to the outside trim (green arrow) with the other half attached to the outside of the pocket. All of the clasp pieces are centered vertically on the bag and each should have a .75” square of thick cardboard between the clasp and the fabric when attached. This will give support and make the clasp easier to fasten.

12) Once all clasps are attached, stitch around the top of the bag .25” from the trim.

13) Pull the lining out of the bag. Stitch it together to close the bottom lining, as well as the fleece by turning the raw edges in .25”. Stuff the closed lining back into the bag.

14) Chances are you don’t have the same belt I do so you won’t be adding the metal piece on the flap that I did, but it was created simply by cutting the wire to 2” long then folding the ends into 90 degree angles. I cut little slits in the suede, inserted the wire ends, then folded them with pliers to squeeze the fabric and hold them in place. I liked that the wire just happened to match the metal pieces on my belt.

Remember to see all of Gloria’s beautiful sewing projects on her blog, Domestic-Divaonline.com!

What does your go-to purse look like?

AllFreeSewing Giveaway: Monaco Bag Kit

September 12, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 6 Comments

Yes, sewing your own bag from scratch is an exciting and rewarding challenge, but sometimes do you feel like you need a little help? I do, at least. Whether time doesn’t allow it or I’m plumb out of ideas, sewing a bag is sometimes infinitely more doable when I have a kit to work with.

Recently, I attended a wedding that demanded a new bag (I mean, that’s what weddings are for, right?). Rather than wrack my brain for a dynamite purse project or drop a ton of cash on a new bag, I opted to sew a classic and easy style from the Monaco Bag Kit, courtesy of Art Gallery Fabrics.

While I consider myself creative, I’m not always superb at thinking up my own patterns, especially on a deadline. I loved how the Monaco Bag Kit was all-inclusive. In an evening I was able to sew together a fabulous purse without hitting up my local craft supplies store or scrounging online for different techniques or instructions.

I didn’t have to think about the fabric, coordinating zipper, chain, thread, inner lining, or even a decorative pin, it was all in the kit! Left to my own devices in the fabric store, I know I wouldn’t have had a clue as to which print to pick, but with this kit Art Gallery Fabrics did all the hard work for me.

Even weeks after the toasts were made, I’m still using my Monaco Bag. It’s perfect for days when I want to gussy up my typical jeans and tee-shirt look. The perfect size, I can stuff my phone, wallet, and keys into this purse without dealing with extra space and movement. I’m not tempted to save useless coupons, receipts, or subway cards because I know the work that went into this bag (plus, it looks too cute to fill with junk). My new go-to fix for instant glam, the Monaco Bag is one of my favorite purses, and I made it myself!

Want the Monaco Bag Kit?

Until September 16th you can enter once a day, every day to win the Monaco Bag Kit from Art Gallery Fabrics. Read the full review of this stylish piece here and enter to win now!

Where would you tote the Monaco Bag?

AllFreeSewing Giveaway: Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes

August 20, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 2 Comments

If you’re anything like me, you love bags. It doesn’t take much; a purse, a tote, a drawstring bag, anything that can carry all of my goods and looks cute makes my day. Maybe one reason why they’re so attractive to me is that they satisfy the “stylish” portion of my outfit that I can’t always pull together. That’s probably why I was so thrilled to find Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes by Choly Knight. AllFreeSewing and Design Originals are giving away one free copy of this book on how to sew a bag.

The numerous purse tutorials in Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes range from casual, quirky, and practical. If it’s a laptop or tablet case you’re after, this book has it. Maybe you just need a simple weekend purse while you’re in the city; Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes gives you several options. Learning how to sew a bag was never this relaxing or creatively stimulating.

What I love most about this book is the way it reads like a catalog. Knight’s piece mimics the enjoyment of shopping while reducing any stress you sometimes feel over price tags or sales associates. Thanks to these tutorials on how to make a bag, you’re immediately empowered with the choice of what kind of bag you want, how much you want to spend on it, and what color and print you’ll make it.

From easy sewing projects to tutorials for the intermediate sewer, any fan of either sewing or handbags won’t be at a loss for projects to make in this book.

Want to win Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes?

You can easily! Enter our giveaway once a day, every day until September 2nd to maximize your chances of winning this delightful book. Find all of the details right here! If you’d like to hear more about this book, check out the full review!

On the Road Again: The Best Crafts to Sew for Traveling

August 1, 2013 by AllFreeSewing Leave a Comment

With summer coming to a close, it’s time to squeeze in those last trips and vacations. As a college student, the summer before my senior year of high school was an important travel time for me because it was when I visited various universities. No matter where you’re traveling, it’s always good to be prepared. Check out these crafts to make your summer travel smooth sailing.

Crafts for the Car

Car Book Holder DIY

On a long road trip, it’s important for you to concentrate while driving, which means your kids need to be entertained. This book holder is the perfect craft to sew for when you travel by car so you can store a collection of books. Easy sewing projects like this are perfect for families of avid readers — just make sure the driver keeps his or her eyes on the road. Safety first!

Car Caddy

Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you have to take a break from crafting. Check out this tutorial to learn how to sew a car caddy that will hold all of your crafting supplies on your next road trip. This is a great sewing project for any crafting enthusiast who doesn’t want to part ways with her sewing kit while traveling.

iPad Headrest Holder

This easy sewing project is the perfect travel craft for any family with young children. After you hang up your iPad Holder, insert your iPad and let your child watch a movie on a long car ride without straining his or her neck. The holder is also a great place to store an iPad while you travel if it’s not in use.

Simple Bags to Sew For Your Next Trip

Easy Duffle Bag Set

Retail luggage is difficult to identify on the airport carousel. Make your luggage stand out by sewing your own set of monogrammed duffel bags. Check out this sewing tutorial to learn how to sew these simple bags for your next vacation. You can make matching sets for your whole family.

Embroidered Reusable Snack Bag

No one wants to go hungry when you are on the go. Sew this Embroidered Reusable Snack Bag to hold some goodies for your next trip. The bag secures with Velcro, so you don’t have to worry about any food spilling. This green craft is the perfect way to make sure your family never travels hungry.

Zippered Travel Tote

A dual-use tote bag is a great way to economize on space next time you travel. This Zippered Travel Tote can be used for packing and as a carry-on, and it also makes a stylish tote bag for everyday use. Check out this sewing tutorial to learn how to make a bag that slides onto your luggage handle so it can sit securely on top of your suit case as you roll it through the airport.

Which travel craft will you make first?

It’s All In the Bag: The Best DIY Purses and Bags to Sew this Summer

July 1, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 13 Comments

With all the places you’ll go and the things you’ll see this summer, you will need something cute to carry your belongings. There’s no better way to keep your wallet, keys, cell phone, lip balm, tissues, pen and notepad, umbrella, and banana (maybe some of these are just me) nearby than with a homemade bag. DIY purses and bags are perfect for anyone who loves to stay high fashion but wants to keep the cost low. Check out the free patterns below to learn how you can sew a bag you can’t wait to show off.

Refashioned Bags

Stylish Upcycled Pocket Purse

Adding a new purse to your collection is as thrifty as can be with this refashioning project. Grab anything with a pocket you no longer wear and transform it into this adorable purse. Check out this sewing tutorial to see how you can sew this DIY purse that will grab everyone’s attention.

Upcycled Denim Tote

If you have an outgrown pair of jeans, you’re all set to sew this fashionable denim bag. This free tote bag pattern will show you how to make a green craft will thrill any young girl as a gift. When you’re done sewing, embellish the bag with any ribbons and decorations you like.

Messenger Bags

Two Pocket Messenger Bag

If you’re in need of a good messenger bag, look no further than this sewing project. Learn how to make a messenger bag that you will love to show off using this free messenger bag pattern. This stylish bag is perfect for any student who has lots of books and folders to carry. The bag is sturdy and has plenty of pockets for organization.

Basic Messenger Bag

Sewing a messenger bag doesn’t get easier than this. Check out this messenger bag tutorial to learn how to make a simple bag that is perfect for carrying books to class. After you sew the basic bag, decorate the flap with any design you like. Don’t spend money at the store when you can easily sew a messenger bag all by yourself.

Everyday Purses

Pleated Madeleine Purse

You don’t have to sort through retail merchandise to find that perfect, trendy bag. Check out this sewing tutorial to learn how to make a DIY purse that will make everyone’s head turn. Grab your favorite patterned fabric and give this project a whirl. You’ll love how spacious and strong your new purse is, and you’ll love how budget-friendly it is too.

Leather Belt Purse

This DIY purse will be a load off your shoulders — literally. This free purse pattern will show you how to remove the shoulder strap from a leather purse and convert the purse into one that threads through your belt loops. Nix the annoyance of a purse bouncing off your leg as you walk around by comfortably wearing it right on your hip.

Which thrifty DIY purse do you want to make first?

Carry On: 20 Purse Patterns Featured in New Free eBook from FaveCrafts

May 1, 2013 by FaveCrafts 1 Comment

A woman’s bag really says so much about who she is. Carrying a giant tote with tons of pockets? You could be a new mommy or a person who needs to carry their entire life along with them. A tiny clutch? You could be headed to a fancy event … or a complete minimalist. While a handbag doesn’t give a definitive indication of someone’s values and personality, it can provide a look into a person’s psyche.

With this in mind, we’ve created a brand new free eBook, How to Make a Purse: 20 Patterns for Sewing Totes, Bags and More, which is filled with creative ideas that anyone can try. You don’t have to be an expert sewer either – the patterns in this eBook are appropriate for a variety of skill levels. In fact, each pattern features step-by-step instructions, color photos and a materials list, so you won’t be left with any lingering questions. You can make a bag for yourself and create a few extras for friends and family members – sewn purses make great birthday and holiday gifts! You can also make one for a little girl – she’ll love carrying around the same bag as her mom or grandma.

This eBook is broken up into three sections – sewn tote patterns, patterns for bags and purses, and bags made from upcycled materials. You can use everything from leather to an old sweatshirt for these projects – the possibilities are endless!

Here are some of the projects found in How to Make a Purse: 20 Patterns for Sewing Totes, Bags and More:

Felt Flower Mini Tote: This is a pattern that moms and their daughters. Make a tiny tote and bring it to a garden party or summer bash – it’s the perfect complement to as day filled with sun and fun. The felt flowers make this project extra special and girly.

Camping or Sleep Over Bag: Change the way you think about totes and create a versatile carryall for a sleeping bag. This is a great item for anyone who loves sleeping under the stars. Sew this bag and bring it with you on a trip – it’s sure to make your life a lot easier.

Sweatshirt Tote: Not ready to part with that oversized sweatshirt? Cut it up and sew it back together – before you know it, you’ll have a fashionable crossbody bag! You can store all of your essentials in this easy-to-make bag that will stand out from a sea of generic, store-bought items.

It’s never been easier to find a bag that fits your personal style. Check out How to Make a Purse: 20 Patterns for Sewing Totes, Bags and More and change the way you think about handmade wearable!

Download a copy of How to Make a Purse: 20 Patterns for Sewing Totes, Bags and More today – it’s free!

Geek Crafts: Keyboard Embroidery Hoop Sleeve

April 4, 2012 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

Welcome to the Geek Crafts column, your weekly dose of geeky goodness with Haley Pierson-Cox from The Zen of Making!

I’ll admit it: I’m the kind of girl who will fish a dead keyboard out of the trash for purely crafty purposes—there are just so many awesome ways to reuse and repurpose the parts! In addition to the ever-popular keyboard jewelry options, I love the idea of using old keys to geek up projects in unexpected ways. So, with that in mind, I decided to add a quirky keyboard message to my travel embroidery hoop sleeve, ensuring that all of my needlework projects stay both clean and extra-sassy while I’m stitching on the go. If you’re not jazzed about the Beastie Boys, feel free to change up the words to better fit your style!

Materials:

Wool felt scraps
Straight pins or fabric clips
Sewing machine
Thread
Keys from an old keyboard
Fabric scissors/rotary cutter
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Sewing needle (optional)
Fabric glue (optional)

This tutorial will show you how to make one embroidery hoop sleeve in a size that’s made to fit your favorite embroidery hoop.

Step 1
Fold the large piece of felt in half, then trim the top and sides so that they fit the size of your embroidery hoop, adding an extra inch to the top and both sides.

Step 2
Using the felt rectangle from step 1 as a template, cut the piece of fabric to the same size.

Step 3
Cut one or two smaller felt rectangles to accommodate your keyboard letters. The lengths will vary depending on the words that you choose.

Step 4
Using basting stitches or small drops of fabric glue, position the rectangles that you cut in step 3 just above the fold on the large felt rectangle, then use your sewing machine to stitch around the edges of each to secure them in place.

Step 5
With right sides facing, use your sewing machine to join the felt and the fabric rectangles at the top and the bottom edges using a ¼” seam allowance. (The longer side edges should both remain open.)

Step 6
Once the ends are joined, turn the felt and fabric rectangles right side out. The top and bottom seams that you made in step 5 should now be enclosed between the two pieces. Use straight pins or fabric clips to neatly align the fabric on either side of the seams.

Step 7
Use your sewing machine to top stitch across the top and bottom edges using a ¼” seam allowance.

Step 8
Fold the joined rectangles in half so that the fabric is facing the inside and the felt is facing the outside. Pin or clip the sides together, then use your sewing machine to sew the seams on both sides with a ¼” seam allowance. (The top should remain open.)

To add extra strength and stability to the opening, you can whipstitch around the side seams near the top on each side.

Step 9
Position the keyboard letters on the smaller felt rectangles, then use hot glue/your favorite multipurpose adhesive to secure the keys in place. Allow the glue to dry completely before using your finished sleeve.

Do you have a great idea for crafting with old keyboards? Leave a comment below and tell me what you’d make!

Handbag Design Contest!

February 15, 2012 by AllFreeSewing Leave a Comment

Calling all designers! Do you make handbags? If pretty purses, trendy totes, and cute clutches are your thing, then this may be the contest for you. Handbag Designer 101, with the help of Singer, Simplicity Creative Group, and others, presents: The Independent Handbag Designer Awards!

In its sixth year, IHDA gives handbag designers (like you!) the chance to compete for one of nine awards honoring excellence in handbag design. Some of these categories include: Best Handmade Handbag, Best Green Handbag, Audience Fan Favorite Handbag, Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design, and more! The winners will be featured in InStyle Magazine’s September issue! (How’s that for 15 minutes of fame?) If this sounds like your cup of tea, you can apply at HandbagDesigner101.com. Just make sure your entry is in by April 28th at 11:59 p.m.!

Need inspiration? Check out our AllFreeSewing “Bags + Purses” Pinterest board for free ideas and tutorials! Whether you’re interested in entering the contest or just want to make a cute new handbag for yourself, we’ve got plenty of projects to get the design ideas flowing. From vintage Mad Men-inspired purses to slouchy shoulder bags, we’ve got the handbag pattern to suit your needs!