How to sew small fabric bags: 2 easy and simple styles

Cut a piece of fabric into a rectangle measuring 18cm by 46cm. This is a medium size, but you can make the bag larger or smaller depending on your preference. Use fabrics like cotton, canvas, or felt.

• If the fabric is wrinkled or creased, you’ll need to iron it smooth before cutting it into the rectangle shape.
• If you're new to sewing, it’s a good idea to practice with old fabric. You could even repurpose an old pillowcase for your first try!
• To prevent the fabric edges from fraying, consider using pinking shears, which are available at craft stores and online.

Fold the fabric in half with the right side facing inward. The right side refers to the side with the fabric's color or print. Fold the short edges of the fabric together and align them straight.

• The rectangle will now measure 18cm by 23cm. This is roughly the size of the bag after it's sewn.

Pin the fabric along both long sides of the rectangle. To keep the fabric from shifting while sewing, pin through both layers of fabric to hold them in place. Pin along both long sides of the rectangle, placing a pin every 2.5 cm.

• If you don’t have pins, you can use clips instead.

Sew along both pinned edges, stopping about 4 cm from the top edge. Place the pinned fabric on the sewing machine and sew straight stitches, starting from the folded edge and along both pinned sides. Leave about 1.3 cm for the seam and stop when you're 4cm from the other end. This gap will be used for the drawstring casing at the top of the bag.

• Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to prevent it from unraveling.
• Remove the pins as you sew to avoid damaging the machine if the needle hits a pin.

Fold the top edge of the bag twice and press it flat. To create the casing for the drawstring, fold the top edge of the bag down by about 1.3 cm around the opening. Then, fold it over again by about 2.5 cm and press it flat to set the crease.

• The double fold helps prevent fraying and gives the seam a neat finish.

Sew a straight stitch along the folded edge to create the drawstring casing. If you're making a small bag, remove the optional part of the sewing machine. This will allow you to slide the bag around the machine while sewing around the drawstring casing— you don't want to accidentally sew the top of the bag shut! Sew a straight stitch around the folded fabric edge.

• Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.

Turn the bag inside out and cut two strips of ribbon, each about 66 cm long. If you prefer not to use ribbon for the drawstring, you can opt for leather cord or any small, sturdy fabric cord like denim or canvas.

• Shoelaces or drawstrings from an old bag could also work as alternatives.

Attach a safety pin to one end of the ribbon and thread it through the drawstring casing. Pin the safety pin to the end of one ribbon and push it through the small opening in the drawstring casing, which is located along the side of the bag near the seam. Push the safety pin through the casing until it emerges at the original opening, then tie both ends with a knot. Repeat this process with the second ribbon, but thread it through the opposite side’s casing. Now you can pull both drawstrings to tighten the bag's opening!

• Alternatively, you can use just one drawstring, but the bag won't close as tightly as it would with two strings.
• It's essential to tie knots at both ends of the drawstrings, or they may slip back into the casing.

Cut a piece of felt into a rectangular shape. If you want to make a small bag, choose a rectangle measuring 10cm by 20cm. Felt is a great material for beginners because it doesn’t fray and is thick enough that you won’t need to add a lining. However, you can use any fabric of your choice.

• If using cotton or acrylic fabric, you’ll need to cut a piece of fusible interfacing and iron it onto the fabric. The interfacing will help the bag hold its shape and make it more durable.
• If you prefer a larger bag, you can cut a wider rectangle.

Cut one end of the rectangle into a pointed shape if you want the flap to be sharp-edged. Fold the rectangle in half vertically and cut a triangle at one end. Unfold the fabric, and you’ll see one end has a pointed shape like an envelope flap, while the other end remains flat.

• Skip this step if you prefer a more rectangular flap.

Fold the bottom edge up to the base of the bag flap. If you're making a pointed flap bag, simply fold both corners of the bottom edge upwards until they meet at the corners of the flap's base. If the fabric ends are still even, fold one end up, leaving about 4cm of space from the top edge.

Pin both side edges of the bag and sew straight stitches along both sides. Pin 2 or 3 safety pins along each side of the fabric to prevent it from unraveling. Place it on the sewing machine and stitch as close to the fabric edge as possible. Repeat the same process for the opposite side, then just fold the flap down and your new bag is ready!

• If you don't have a sewing machine, you can easily sew by hand - try using whip stitches or zigzag stitches.

Add a button, snap fastener, or Velcro if desired. It's not necessary to add a button or Velcro, but doing so will help keep the bag more securely closed. Simply sew a button or snap fastener onto the back of the flap, then cut a small slit to attach the button or sew the other half of the snap fastener to the front of the bag. If you prefer Velcro, cut a piece and attach it to the back of the flap, then attach the corresponding piece to the front of the bag.

• Some Velcro strips require sewing onto the fabric - make sure to check before purchasing.

• You can hand stitch if you're making a very small fabric bag, but for a more durable bag, it's best to use a sewing machine for more consistent and secure stitches.
• If you're confident in your sewing skills, try making a zippered pouch as your next project.
• Use your handmade small bags as gifts, makeup pouches, coin purses, or costume accessories.
• Embroider or decorate your fabric bag to give it a unique touch.