45 Awesome Free Bag Making Tutorials
I’m kicking off a new type of article for Frugal and Thriving - I’ve been around the web and back again to compile some of the best free online tutorials and resources for a given category – today: making bags. Both the title and the picture are links to the tutorial.
I’m not much of a sewer, but I’m trying. I made a bag recently and have gone a little bit bag crazy. Making a bag is a great way to learn how to sew. Below is a range of different bag tutorials to try. They vary from beginner level to the more complex, in no particular order.
There are quite a few sewing and construction techniques in these tutorials that could be easily combined to create your own custom bag design.
Some authors ask that you don’t use their patterns and tutorials to make bags for commercial purposes, so check out their site for details.
UPDATE: It’s been a couple of years since I posted this article and some of the websites have shut down or taken down their patterns, which is beyond my control. I’ve posted a new bag roundup to the blog with a whole heap more bag tutorials. You can view it here.
1. Margaret Sling Bag
This tutorial comes with a PDF pattern and instructions for offline sewing and comes with a variation for making it with a shorter handle.
2. Reversible Beach Bag
This is a gorgeous bag and I can’t wait to make it!
3. Origami Purse
4. Quilted Tote
5. Eternal Beauty Bag
This one is a little more complex. Also comes with a PDF version.
6. Box Bag
PDF instructions. Cute and differs from the other box bags by including a handle on the end.
7. Tote Bag
This is a 2 part post – you will find part two here or in the blog archive. The inside is three sections including a zippered middle section.
8. Recessed Zipper Shoulder Bag
The focus in this tutorial is how to sew the recessed zipper and assumes that you have an understanding of basic bag construction for the rest.
10. Laptop Bag
I would probably add a bit of padding and quilting to help keep the laptop safer, but great bag tutorial.
11. Easy Nappy / Diaper Bag
I included a few nappy bags, because, well my mind is on those things, but this could definitely be used as an anything else bag.
12. Hip Mamma Diaper Bag
Can also be used as a regular bag. A functional bag that doesn’t necessarily look like a nappy bag.
13. Angela’s Diaper Bag
Ultimate nappy bag made using a quilter’s charm pack and layer pack. Also comes with instructions for making a change mat.
14. Simple Drawstring Bag
Total beginners drawstring bag, but a functional bag for any skill level. Makes a great gift bag. Can also be lined.
15. Square Bag Tote
This bag has pockets inside for pens, mobile phone, organizer or whatever you like!
16. Basic Messenger Bag
Construction only. Make your own appliqué flap design
17. Basic Grocery Bag
18. Poochie Bag
These bags are made using fat quarters. There is a free PDF pattern to download for offline sewing.
19. Envelope Makeup Bag
20. Summer Beach Bag
This beach bag has been made with tea towels rather than fabric.
21. Lined Grocery Bag With Store Away Pocket
This grocery style bag is lined and has a little pocket on the front so that you can fold it up and store it away easily in your handbag.
22. Scrappy Grocery Bag
This bag is the same as above but uses scraps of material rather than a single piece of material – a great way to use up scraps! Ok, so the instructions aren’t in English, but you get the idea and isn’t it gorgeous! I couldn’t resist.
23. Lined Zippered Pouch Bag
Nice instructions for giving the zipper little end covers which really adds to the finish and a pleasure to read.
24. Diana Hobo Bag
Free PDF pattern to download for offline work.
25. Crochet Beach Bag
Don’t want to sew? Here is a great pattern for a crocheted beach bag.
26. Shoulder Bag
Not a great picture, but a great pattern and easy to make.
27. Hobo Bag
28. Mama Backpack
29. Little Boxy Pouch
30. Pyramid Purse
Something a little different and very cute.
31. Backpack
32. Basket Bag
This is a PDF link.
33. Lindie Bag
34. Jenny Bag
35. D-Ring Bag
36. Monk Bag
Easy pattern for beginners.
37. Lined Box Pouch
38. Slouch Bag
Comes with PDF pattern and tutorial.
39. Basic Purse
40. Mini Purse
41. Easy Lined Tote Bag
Both shoulder and carry straps
42. Ruffled Tote Bag
Something a little different and a little harder.
43. Sophisticated Tote Bag
44. Doodle Purse
This is for kids to carry their crayons and paper around in. Folds up as the blue one shoes, to encase crayons and paper.
45. Purse with Licence Pocket
Not really a bag, but very funky anyway.
Got an idea for a roundup post like this one? Why not drop me a line.
Have you read these posts?
- 45 (plus some) awesome bag tutorials revisited
- 48 + Free Skirt Tutorials
- 39 free apron tutorials
- finding time to craft part three–organising your projects–a project bag tutorial
- Beach Bag For Christmas
SAVE MONEY AND TIME ON THE GROCERIES
THE FRUGAL AND THRIVING WAY
Comments
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[...] Frugal and Thriving scoured the internets and found 45 of some of the best diy bag tutorials out there. Choose from big bags and little bags, grocery store bags and cosmetic bags and everything in between. Some of my favs….the reversible beach bag pictured above and the little boxy pouch below, which is just too cute! See the other 43 offerings here. [...]
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[...] 45 Awesome Free Bag Making Tutorials [...]
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[...] found the pattern for this bag when writing the bag roundup and you can find the pattern here. I used an old sheet that was already in the rag bag, I just cut [...]
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[...] 45 Awesome Free Bag Making Tutorials | frugalandthriving.com.au [...]
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[...] 45 Awesome Free Bag-making Tutorials [...]
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[...] far the most popular article is 45 Awesome Bag Tutorials (thanks to Stumble Upon – I’m all for social media [...]
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[...] Lots of them. It’s been nearly two years since I did the last bag roundup and a few of the links have gone dead. It seems that making bags is really popular, so here are a [...]
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[...] 45 Awesome Free Bag Making Tutorials | frugalandthriving.com.au – StumbleUpon Total beginners drawstring bag, but a functional bag for any skill level. Makes a great gift bag. Can also be lined. Ultimate nappy bag made using a quilter’s charm pack and layer pack. [...]
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[...] I’m kicking off a new type of article for Frugal and Thriving – I’ve been around the web and back again to compile some of the best free online tutorials and resources for a given category – today: making bags. Both the title and the picture are links to the tutorial. 45 Awesome Free Bag Making Tutorials | frugalandthriving.com.au [...]
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.
Great List i am always looking for great tutorials check out my page of tutorials..
http://sewchicandunique.com/tutorial-list/
I will be linking
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!
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