When summer is coming to a close and school starts soon, I start thinking of projects to share that are most helpful school but also just helpful for life in general. Projects that make organizing a backpack, desk or locker a little easier. Or even keep the dresser, bathroom sink or home office a little more tidy.
That is why I am loving the new box pouch pattern we have out today!!
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Not only is this project fast but it is really functional and can be used for a variety of household items to get organized. Just think of all the items you can organized just by whipping up a couple of these cute boxed bags.
In fact, I gave these two samples to my kids. My daughter is using hers to keep all her little doll clothes in one place. My son is using his for his Pokémon cards. See!! The sky is the limit on how you can get organized with these.
Now let's get you sewing!
VIDEO: How to Sew a Box Pouch
Simple Boxed Bag Sewing Tutorial
Materials Needed
- Boxy Printable Pattern - get at the bottom of the page, look for the peach button
- 1/4 yard Main Fabric
- more fabric may be needed if using a directional print
- 1/4 yard Lining Fabric
- more fabric may be needed if using a directional print
- 1/4 yard Fusible Interfacing
- Optional: 1/4" Batting
- 14" zipper
- Matching Thread
Step 1
Print the pattern and use it to cut out the correct pieces for the Boxy Pouch in your main fabric, lining and interfacing.
Fold the tabs and handle lengthwise. Stitch at a 1/4" down the long side.
Step 3
Turn the tabs and handle right side out using a safety pin. Press well.
Step 4
Cut one of the pieces in half to make the two tabs. Set tabs and handle aside for now.
Place the optional batting face up on a flat surface. Place the lining fabric right side up over the batting. Place the zipper along the top matching the raw edges. Place the main fabric wrong side up over the other layers. Line up all the layers together along the top edge.
Stitch along the top edge, sewing all the layers together.
Step 6
Open up the two layers on either side of the zipper so they lay flat. Now you have in the middle the edges sewn to the zipper. At the top and bottom, are the edges of the lining and main fabric that are not attached to the zipper.
Fold the free edge of the main fabric up to match with the opposite side of the zipper. The one that is not sewn. Fold the lining towards the other side of the zipper and match. You'll now sew those layers together along the edge of the zipper.
This can be a bit confusing, make sure to check out the YouTube Video at 11:45.
Open up the bag so that the zipper runs down the center of the bag. It should look like a cross.
Take one of your tab pieces and fold it in half, matching the short sides. Match the raw edges of the tab to the raw edges of the bag right along the zipper. Pin in place.
Repeat with the opposite side of the bag if you want two tabs.
Stitch 1/4" along the straight edge over each side of the zipper. Cut off the extra edge of the zipper and tab.
Step 13
Pick the side you want to place the handle. Pin the handle from one side of the zipper side to the other on the right side of the bag.
Optional: Stitch a basting stitch over the edges of the handle to keep in place.
Turn the boxed bag inside out. Match the diagonals of the box together. Stitch along the straight edge. Trim the excess fabric away to get rid of the bulk.
Repeat step with the other 3 boxed corners.
Step 15
Turn the bag right side out. Press all the seams and along the edge of the zipper.
Now unzip that box bag and fold down the sides. This makes for much easier access to whatever you might be storing inside.
When you are done, just zip it back up and you have a great way to travel and store makeup, toiletries, even craft supplies like markers and crayons.
Get the Pattern
Want the boxed bag pattern? Simply click the button below to download.
Hi Chelsea. In step 14, did you mean to say turn the bag inside out?
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you. I've edited that.
DeleteHi Chelsea - thanks so much for this cute pattern! I’m making 4 of them right now. I’m using fusible interfacing rather than batting. Do I attach the interfacing to the top or the lining? Or does it matter? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI typically will attach it to the lining.
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ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteDo I need interface for this pattern or can I just use batting?
You could for sure use batting. However, interfacing will give it more structure and stiffness. If you only use batting it will be a bit floppy.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHi! Is there a good place to add a top-stitching step around the zipper? Thx!
ReplyDeleteMaybe between step nine and 10. But it might make turning your bag a little more difficult.
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