5 Tips for Sewing Beautiful Bags

Have you ever gawked at the beautiful handbags from Chanel, Prada, Dior, and other famous designers? Most people can't afford to own one, but if you have a sewing machine, you can make a bag that is just as beautiful and just as high quality.

I really enjoy bag making. I recently sewed a large duffel bag out of faux leather and I am hooked. Bag making is not as difficult as you might think, and I've got five tips to help you do it right!

1. Wonder Clips and Basting Tape Are Your Friends

When you're sewing bags, precision alignment is everything. The best way to achieve it is with Wonder Clips and basting tape so that none of your pieces shift before they're sewn together. Avoid using pins when sewing bags because they can damage certain types of fabric and throw off your alignment. Once you try Wonder Clips, you won't go back.

2. Don't Skip the Interfacing

Almost every bag pattern requires some form of interfacing for stability and shape. The type you need depends on the weight of your fabric and how structured you want the finished bag to be. Heavyweight fabrics like canvas, denim, faux leather, and cork need less interfacing than lighter fabrics.

Fusible fleece and Pellon 808 are two of the most popular choices for bags. But if you want your bag to stand up on its own, reach for a flexible foam interfacing like Pellon Flex Foam or Bosal In-R-Foam — it gives bags that satisfying, structured look.

If this feels overwhelming, don't stress. Most bag patterns will tell you exactly what interfacing to buy.

3. Always Clip Curves and Trim Your Seam Allowances

All that interfacing is great for structure, but it can create some seriously bulky seams. To get a cleaner, more professional finish, use detail scissors to trim seam allowances back to ⅛ inch. Just read your pattern instructions first to make sure trimming won't interfere with any upcoming steps, like adding bias binding.

Don't forget to clip around curves and corners to reduce bulk too.

4. Press Everything as You Go

Pressing each step as you sew is good advice for any sewing project, but it makes a huge difference with bags. Everything lines up better and looks more polished when you press it. Just be careful around metal hardware — you don't want to damage your iron.

One exception: vinyl and faux leather can't be pressed with a traditional iron because the heat can melt or mark the surface. There are rolling tools you can use instead. If faux leather is your bag fabric of choice, be sure to read up on the specific tips for sewing it!

5. Choose Your Hardware Carefully

Hardware can make or break a bag. The small details matter. You can find bag-making hardware all over the internet, but I recommend going to a quality source like Sallie Tomato. They carry hardware in several metal finishes and have just about everything you could need — swivel clips, rings, twist locks, buckles, sliders, purse feet, and more. Don't cheap out on the hardware. It shows.

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Bag making is one of those skills that feels really rewarding once you get the hang of it. Give it a try — I think you'll love it!

Have any bag making tips of your own? Share them in the comments below!