Christmas Bag Tutorial - Part 1

There must be a thousand tutorials for making bags on the internet. Here's one more...

I'd rate this project as easy/beginner and some basic sewing and quilting skills are recommended. Click on each image to see a larger version. All seams are 1/4 inch unless otherwise stated.

I'm making this bag from two pieces of fabric 20 inches wide by 22 inches long. I kept the walking foot on to do all the sewing as it helps when making the handles and to stop the bag panels from slipping out of alignment.


This is a Debbie Mumm print that I bought at the post-Christmas sales years ago. It saves piecing but you could make up each side from strips of different width fabric.

Pin each panel to a piece of batting (I used a wool/polyester) about two inches wider all round.


Quilt your panel as desired. I used clear monofilament thread and stitched along a selection of the printed lines on the fabric. If you were using a pieced panel you could stitch in the ditch.

Start each row of quilting with the smallest stitch on your machine. Make four or five stitches then increase the stitch length (I used 3.5 on a Janome QC6260). Just before you reach the end reduce the stitch length to the smallest stitch and finish stitching.

Remember to turn the work and stitch each row in alternating direction left to right; right to left to stop the panel bunching up.


When you have finished the quilting, remove all the pins and trim the batting back to the same size as the fabric.

Place the bag panels right sides together matching the pattern or seams. Pin to hold in place. Using a smaller stitch (I used 2.2 on the Janome QC6260) and a half inch seam allowance, stitch around the three sides of the bag leaving the top edges open.


Now for the tricky part...boxing the corners.

Finger press the seams open either side of the corners for about three inches. Fold the corner into a triangle aligning the side and bottom seams. This is easier to do if you place your hand inside the bag.

Measure in two inches from the corner and pin across the triangle. Mark a chalk line half an inch beyond the pins. This is the stitching line.

Repeat for the other corner.



At this point many patterns tell you cut off the corners. I don't like to do this because I think it weakens the seams. It's up to you but I leave them in place.

Turn the bag right side out.

Next time, making and attaching the handles and button loop.

Happy Stitching,

Ann.