Skip to main content

Box Bag Tutorial

A couple of you inquired whether I made this pouch based on a tutorial or pattern and if not, if I could provide one. Ask and you shall receive!

I've learned so much from tutorials out on the internets, I'm happy I can give back for once. Bear with me, though. This is my first tutorial and creating one is much tougher than I imagined. I give anyone who's created a tutorial tons of credit!

I feel obligated to preface this by admitting I'm a trial and error sewer. I make things up as I go along and test things during the sewing process to see if I'm achieving my desired results. Also, I taught myself to sew just playing around on a sewing machine, so I don't always use text book methods. Just wanted come clean before you all jump into this and so you have a little understanding if I did something in a backass way. The pattern works, which is all that matters to me!

Because of the versatility of this pattern, my instructions can be used more as guidelines. You can easily change the pouch dimensions.

Anyway, here's the tutorial. If you need clarification or have any questions, please send me an email or leave a comment.

BOX BAG TUTORIAL

Note: This pattern can be tweaked to create a bag of any dimension you want.

You'll need:
1/4 yard exterior fabric
1/4 yard lining fabric (I used blue for Project Spectrum)
1/4 yard interfacing (weight of your choice. I recommend a medium to heavy-weight.
12" zipper

Step 1. ("collect underpants" --any South Park fans out there?) Cut fabric.




Cut a 16" x 12" (updated dimensions) rectangle of exterior fabric, lining, and interfacing. Choose interfacing that will create the structure you like best. For a more structured pouch, use a heavy interfacing or even Peltex. For something collapsible to toss in your bag, choose a lighter weight interfacing. I used a lighter weight because that's what I had on hand, but I prefer something heavier or at least medium-weight. Iron your fabric if you're feeling motivated (I wasn't today).

2. Sew fabrics together.
Basically, you want to make a tube. Arrange fabrics as you see in the picture below. Interfacing, exterior (rightside up), zipper (wrongside up), lining (wrongside up). Pin fabrics together and sew. Opening the zipper makes the sewing less awkward.



Remove pins, turn pouch rightside out, and topstitch along zipper. (see photo below) This holds the fabrics together neatly.



Turn pouch inside out and sew other side of zipper to opposite end of fabric (to create tube).
Stay consistent with fabric arrangement detailed at the beginning of this step. (somewhat confusing picture below)




This will be somewhat awkward and you will need to stop midway through sewing to open zipper. It also gets tricky sewing around zipper head. If your stitches get out of line, just rip back and try again. A seamripper is your bff.

Turn pouch to right side. You will have one big tube that looks like this:



Topstitch other side of zipper. Again, this will be awkward around the zipper head. Just be sure not to accidentally sew the bottom part, too!

3. Make handle. Cut a piece of exterior fabric 10" x 8" *(If you're using a fat quarter, it's the big rectangle leftover). Fold in half rightside together and sew long edge. Turn rightside out, fold in half lengthwise, and sew along edge. Then, sew along folded edge.

*you can change the length to modify handle size



4. Sew sides. In this step, the more precise your measurements, the more professional your finished pouch will look.
Lay your tube flat and ensure the zipper runs down the exact center of the pouch. This is important!!! Measure the width of the rectangle. Using a sewing marker, mark off the middle third (you can estimate a third, just make sure you mark off equal sections on either side of the zipper) of the pouch.



Sew the center portion from mark to mark. Backstitch over the zipper a few times for added durability. Repeat on other side.



Unzip pouch and put you hand in one of the openings on either side of the sewed portion. Push fabric into a triangle. This is difficult to explain. It's probably easier just to refer to the picture below.



Sew a perpendicular line to your seam from earlier this step, creating a triangle** like below. Repeat this step for the other corner on that side.


**The size of your triangle determines the height of your pouch. For a taller pouch, make a bigger triangle. For a shorter, make a smaller triangle. Whatever size you choose, make sure they are all the same.


inside out view


rightside out view

To attach the handle, you follow the same steps sewing the triangles, but insert the handle in before seaming. I hold onto the triangle from the inside, while I position the handle on the outside (see photo below). Pin triangle in place, so handle doesn't shift. Sew triangle. Repeat for other side.

After you sew all 5 triangles, your pouch will look like this:



5. Trim excess fabric. Cut extra fabric from triangles. Be careful not to cut any seams!!



6. Admire handiwork! Turn rightside out fill with current knitting project, toiletries, or whatever else!

maybe I shouldn't have been so lazy with the ironing...



I hope this all makes sense!

Comments

Kaitie Tee said…
Very cool! Thanks so much for the tutorial. :-)
Peacock Chic said…
You are a goddess for providing this pattern. I was itching for a new sewing project and this will be it!

Thanks so much I love these bags
As I am ever wooed by you people who can make a sewing machine bow before your ribbons, fabrics, and thread, you just let me know if you might swap me one of those gems for some handmade soap. How's that for subtle?
Anonymous said…
You are so generous for putting up a tutorial! Thanks, Kelly!
Stacey said…
great job on the tutorial! I love how you say you are a "trial and error" sewer - me too!!!
Anonymous said…
great tutorial! sweet little bag!
that bag is the *perfect size for a sock project...hmm maybe i should get out the sewing machine today...?
Elizabeth said…
Cool tutorial - thanks for putting that together. I know it takes some time and patience to do tutorials, but it is so neat for sharing ideas online.
Anonymous said…
This is a great tutorial, thanks for taking the time to post it! I love your fabric choices too (on this one and the older ones) did you get all of them at Joann's (!?)
Melissa said…
collect underpants + ? = profit!

one of my favorite episodes!

thanks for the tutorial! I've seen these bags around and they are so cute. When I get an extra minute I'll have to whip one up.
Anonymous said…
Hi there

I have just started a blog and am trying to get lots of links to interesting tutorials together.

I have placed a link to your tutorial, I hope that's ok.

It's still a little empty cause I am still setting everything up but do pop by in the future.
Thanks Eve
Anonymous said…
It looks like a very thorough tutorial - thanks! And super cute bag...
Anonymous said…
Thank you so much for the tutorial! I've been wanting to make a bag like this for a while - now I can!
Unknown said…
oooh! that's pretty - thanks for the idea / inspiration! Good to have on a snowy weekend in New England, eh?
Acornbud said…
Very nicely written tutorial. Thanks for sharing!
seri q said…
thanks so much for this tutorial! i'm going to make one this afternoon. i can't wait!
Kristin said…
Hi, Kelly! Thanks so much for the tutorial. Now, for a really dumb question...I've tried two of these and I can't get the triangle thingy when it comes time to make the actual box shape. Can you explain a little more how you do that?

Thank you so much - my brain is drained after four days of trying to figure it out.
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the tutorial, I have been wanting to make one of these, and your measurements make one that is the perfect size!!
Anonymous said…
Thanks for posting this tutorial - I love this bag and plan to try creating one myself this weekend!
illanna said…
Thanks for the tutorial! I'm going to try it tonight!

You gnomes are geniuses at corporation, but what's step 2? hehe...
Anonymous said…
ok, dumb question: is it supposed to be a 14" in zipper? because i bought a 12", and now i'm realizing it's 2" shorter than the fabric i'm sewing it onto...
Anonymous said…
That is an awesome tutorial! Definately adding to my 'things-to-make" list!
Anonymous said…
Oh, you are a wonderful person! I just thinking about how to make one of these for my sewing supplies today - you saved me many hours of stress and cussin'!
Anonymous said…
Thank you so much! This is exactly what I've been looking for and now I can make one from fabric in the stash. You're a genious.
Rina said…
Thank you so much for putting this tutorial online. I've been looking for this one for a while. Love it. very detailed.
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the nice tutorial!n
Beth said…
Hello! I work with Kristin on her Sew, Mama, Sew blog (http://www.sewmamasew/blog2) and we'd love to link to your tutorial for an upcoming feature. I can't seem to locate your email address. Would you mind emailing me (beth@sewmamasew.com) at your convenience for details?

Thanks so very much! This is a fantastic tutorial!
Beth
I just made about five of these last week when I was on break! My mother is an avid sew-er (seamstress?) and I'm a knitter, so this was something we could do together. Now that I know how, I can do it myself to (she did the first bag; I did the rest). I'll be posting the pictures, etc. on my blog later on this week.
Just wanted to say thanks again!

-T
Vickie E said…
Fantastic tutorial...much appreciated!
Anonymous said…
Beautiful bag design--thanks for the tutorial. I found it on sewmamasew's blog.

For the person having trouble with the triangles--I was having trouble too and figured out a good way to do it. In step 4 when you sew the ends, sew all the way across, not just a third. This makes it easier to make the triangles. Then just mark where the triangle is going to start. If you want the ends of the bags to be a square, mark the center portion to be 1/4 of the circumference of the tube.

I also finished off the raw edges with bias tape and the bag looks so cool I plan on making more for gifts. Awesome!
peaknits said…
I also found this over at sew, mama, sew - thank you! It is wonderful - I will employ the above commenter's technique for the trianges too - since I struggled there a bit too, a little un-rectangular bag:) But a bag - with a zipper! Score! Thanks!
Beckett said…
This is great! I made my first one this evening: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theknittinglibrarian/2069700155/

I'll definitely be making more for Christmas presents!
Angel Funk said…
Do I sew the zipper/fabric along the 16 inch edge or the 12 inch edge of the fabric in step 2?
Michelle B said…
Thanks for the tutorial! I too love FatQuarters and want to make up a copuple of these cuties!!
Lucy said…
Brilliant! I'd just decided I wanted to make one of these, googled 'box bag tutorial' and found your blog! A couple of hours later I have a gorgeous bag! Thanks so much!
Anonymous said…
Nice tutorial. Thanks. My Blog : earn money chao!
Dear Kelly!
Thank You very much!!!
Carine
Irma Rachmawati said…
Hi Kelly,

I am Irma from Indonesia and really excited when I found this creative blog with amazing tutorial. You are so creative. I follow your tutorial and make this bags for my cosmetic stuff. I put the bag on my blog. Also I put your link blog for this tutorial for searcher
Kosmika said…
YES! it does make sense :)
it's a wonderful and very usefull tutorial! Thanks!
Really looking forward to trying this! Thanks so much! Merry Christmas!
rachel b. said…
Thank you for sharing this tutorial! I've been wanting to make a patchwork knitting bag and this will be so helpful to save me some time to make one. Thanks!!!
What a great bag! This would make a great Father's Day present too!

I also added this to my site today, and you can grab an "I've been featured" badge if you'd like.

Thanks for the great idea!!
Unknown said…
http://www.beautycasa.com
Luxury Handbagscommonly known as Chanel (English pronunciation: /ʃəˈnɛl/), is a Parisian fashion house founded by the late couturier Coco Chanel, recognized as one of the most chic in the haute couture. Specializing in luxury goods (haute couture, ready-to-wear, Handbags, perfumery, and cosmetics among others), the Chanel label has become one of the most recognized names in the luxury and haute couture fashion industry.[1] According to Forbes, the privately held House of Chanel Handbags is jointly owned by Alain Wertheimer and Gerard Wertheimer who are the grandsons of the early (1924) Chanel partner Pierre Wertheimer.
aai333 said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said…
MBT will not only change,MBT boots, the way you use your musclesMTB Shoes,What are the benefits?christian dior, Free shipping and free return shippingdior shoes, on all dior. Included with each pair of isdior handbags, an instructional DVD. What is Dior?dior sunglasses,look at another good paoduct such as Dior totesDo not worry. The urge to buy these goods will be very strong once you spot the shoes or clothes that you likenew balance,revolutionary fitness aid from Swiss Masai,new balance shoes, which may help reduce cellulite andnew balance outlet,transforms flat hard artificial surfaces into natural uneven surfaces thePuma Shoes, with top quality and cheap price. puma outlet, innovative sole design includes thePuma Sneaker,Here you can buy wide rangewholesale cl high heel sandals,quality and cheap car GPS navigation systemsMoncler,Very Cool, Comfortable and lightmoncler jackets original packing you can rest assured.moncler coats,You might say that thediscount moncler vestNo one ever thought bothmoncler outlet,As with everything that comes fmonmoncler t-shirtThe new store has been decorated.No matter what product you purchase from us north faceWe are offering you a wide range ofnorth face outletquestion,Some color combinations seem to never get old northfaceBut within the same community north face jacketsbecause it features just the right amount of north face coats,A little of these are given below.ugg bootswas a very well-known French fashionable boot,cheap ugg boots,because of the wisdom of brilliant featuresdiscount ugg boots,which you are buying is unique and original classic ugg boots,When possible, they obtain materials from domestic suppliers ugg classic tall boots,A stroll around the park with the GHD IV Salon Styler
ugg boots said…
thomas sabo [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/][b]thomas sabo[/b][/url]
thomas sabo jewellery [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/][b]thomas sabo jewellery[/b][/url]
thomas sabo jewelry [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/][b]thomas sabo jewelry[/b][/url]
thomas sabo uk [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/][b]thomas sabo uk[/b][/url]
thomas sabo sale [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/][b]thomas sabo sale[/b][/url]
thomas sabo shop [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/][b]thomas sabo shop[/b][/url]
thomas sabo online [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/][b]thomas sabo online[/b][/url]
thomas sabo charms [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/thomas-sabo-charms.html][b]thomas sabo charms[/b][/url]
thomas sabo bracelet [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/thomas-sabo-bracelets.html][b]thomas sabo bracelet[/b][/url]
thomas sabo necklace [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/thomas-sabo-necklaces.html][b]thomas sabo necklace[/b][/url]
thomas sabo earrings [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/thomas-sabo-earrings.html][b]thomas sabo earrings[/b][/url]
thomas sabo charm bracelet [url=http://www.salethomassabo.com/thomas-sabo-charm-bracelets.html][b]thomas sabo charm bracelet[/b][/url]
ugg boots [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]ugg boots[/b][/url]
uggs [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]uggs[/b][/url]
ugg australia [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]ugg australia[/b][/url]
ugg sale [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]ugg sale[/b][/url]
ugg boots sale [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]ugg boots sale[/b][/url]
cheap ugg boots [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]cheap ugg boots[/b][/url]
winter boots [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]winter boots[/b][/url]
discount ugg boots [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]discount ugg boots[/b][/url]
cheap uggs [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]cheap uggs[/b][/url]
uggs on sale [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]uggs on sale[/b][/url]
australia ugg boots [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]australia ugg boots[/b][/url]
ugg boots 2010 [url=http://www.uggbootslondon.com/][b]ugg boots 2010[/b][/url]
abercrombie deutschland [url=http://www.abercrombieonsale.de/][b]abercrombie deutschland[/b][/url]
abercrombie [url=http://www.abercrombieonsale.de/][b]abercrombie[/b][/url]
abercrombie and fitch [url=http://www.abercrombieonsale.de/][b]abercrombie and fitch[/b][/url]
ugg boots said…
thomas sabo thomas sabo
thomas sabo jewellery thomas sabo jewellery
thomas sabo jewelry thomas sabo jewelry
thomas sabo uk thomas sabo uk
thomas sabo sale thomas sabo sale
thomas sabo shop thomas sabo shop
angelina said…
hi, i love the spaciness in the box! thank you...am following you now
Angie said…
Great tutorial, thanks! I can't wait to try it.
Lucia Barros said…
Adorei o tutorial da necessaire.
Linda!
Parabens pelo Blog. Já me tornei sua seguidora.
Bjs
Lucia
If you don't undertand, send me a email that a translate for you.
Kisses
When I saw this I wanted to make my own box bag so I did. Here is mine that I posted on my blog. Thanks for sharing your tutorial.

Adin B
http://itssewtasticmama.blogspot.com/
Melissa said…
This is a cool and useful tutorial, because I just got my cosmetics bag broke and I don't have money to buy exactly what I want and with your info and pics I can make one by myself. I always asked myself how can you make a bag....looked to be so complicated.
bamboonumber1 said…
This is awesome!
I've been trying to come up with a way to make a box bag for a few days, but apparently I've been trying to reinvent the weel. Your way is much simpler and way better. Thanks for the tutorial.
erinkristi said…
Step 3: Profit! LOL

Okay, I'm going to use your tutorial this week, finally, because I've drooled over this on multiple occasions.
Sarah said…
So cute! I will be trying this!
Stela said…
This is so cute and also very easy to make.. I will sure try this with my little girl..:D She loves to make stuff on her own.. Thanks!
Bonnie Friday said…
What a great tutorial, I can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing!

xx
Hi. This tutorial is amazing - it has very clear pictures and instructions. I have linked you on my blog: http://mel-allwrappedup.blogspot.com.au/p/link-love-to-amazing-free-craft.html.

mel@allwrappedup
Martha said…
A friend and I are planning to teach teen-agers this box bag at our church this summer, if that is OK with you. There is no charge for the camp - we don't make any money. Also if we have your permission, we'd like to make some to sell at our crafts table at our upcoming quilt show. It will be a money maker for our non-profit quilt guild. Please email me at marthasmaterialworld *at* gmail *dot* com to let me know if we have permission. Thanks so very much!
Natasha said…
I think there is a problem with your measurements. If you have 1/4 yard of fabric, it is 9"x42" and you can not cut 16"x12" from 1/4 of a yard without cutting it and sewing it together. Same with the interfacing. Did you mean a fat quarter of fabric and a half a yard of interfacing???
Anonymous said…
I'm stuck at the sewing of cloth to the other side of the zipper to make a tube. can anyone help?
Anonymous said…
So good post i like this post and i like your all blog and i hope to visit my blog Ancient Egypt for Kids and more like Ancient Egyptian Gods thanks again admin ,,,
Anonymous said…
Whats up very cool blog!! Guy .. Beautiful .
. Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
I'm satisfied to find numerous helpful information here within the put up, we'd like work out
extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. .
. . . .
Here is my weblog - グッチ メンズ
Anonymous said…
Just tried this bag and it came out beautiful! This is definitely what all my friends are getting for their birthday!
Nadia, South Africa
Anonymous said…
"Lay your tube flat and ensure the zipper runs down the exact center of the pouch. This is important!!! Measure the width of the rectangle. Using a sewing marker, mark off the middle third (you can estimate a third, just make sure you mark off equal sections on either side of the zipper) of the pouch."

I don't understand this step. is the third measured vertically along the length of the zip? How many layers do I sew through? What gap is then created for me to put my hand in, for the next step? I am completely confused at this stage and now my bag is ruined :(
Hobbesmom said…
Thank you so much for taking the time to post this! Absolutely fantastic bag - my new favourite.

Popular posts from this blog

Done: Weekender Bag

Happy 2007! I hope you all had a good time ringing in the new year. I have some lofty goals for this upcoming year and some musings on last year, but that's for another post because-- Finally! (the top looks kind of bumpy. I think it looks crisper when I'm holding it.) Pattern. Weekender Bag by Amy Butler Exterior Fabric. Amy Butler, Sunbloom Collection Cording Fabric. Amy Bulter, Charm Collection Lining. Khaki Fabric from Joann's I relied a lot on the tips from other bloggers who made this bag and wanted to give something back to the blogging community, so here are my.... 10 THOUGHTS & TIPS ON THE WEEKENDER 1. Dominating the cording. As the layers increased in the sewing, keeping the cording sandwiched in place became challenging. I had the best luck pinning the fabric together parallel to the fabric edge, rather than perpendicular. Stopping so often to remove pins got a little annoying, but was better than ripping and resewing. 2. Topstitching = Enemy number 1. I d

Granola.

In all my years of baking, I don’t think there’s any one food I’ve tinkered with more than granola.  Actually, that’s a lie. Let me try again. Besides chocolate chip cookies, there's no food I've tinkered with more than granola.   But granola! The goal: delicious, crunchy yet chunky enough to eat on its own, and not just dessert masquerading as a healthy snack. Doesn’t sound too hard.  But… the best tasting is inevitably the worst for you (not to name names...Panera copycat recipe). Consistency should not be a trail mix of sugared oats and nuts and fruit. There should be chunks you can hold without crumbling.   So, when I stumbled upon a granola so good the restaurant sends guests home with their own little prepackaged personal sized portion, I had to give it a try. And to document my trials so when I inevitably forget the recipe, I'm writing this post so it’s here waiting and ready. (And maybe, you, too, have been seeking that perfect granola recipe??)