5 minute bag- Beginner Sewing Project

5 May

Hope everyone is enjoying their spring! I am just getting back into sewing after taking a personal break to move and reorganize my life. So happy to be back with my sewing machine! Last night, I decided to make myself a super simple toiletry bag to toss in my gym bag. I have a few zipper ones but I like the drag string toss and go idea for my toiletries. This bag literally took me about 5 minutes to make! The reason why it’s so fast is because it is made with knit fabric that does not fray. This is something a child can do or a beginner to practice sewing. This novelty knit fabric can be found at modes4u fabric store. If you guys haven’t heard about this fabric store. You need to check them out. They have a ton of Asian and novelty fabric that you usually can’t find in American stores. I am planning on getting a few yards of some unique patterns that I will show off on the blog in the summer.

Seriously! How adorable is this mustache knit fabric! I love all the colors and pattern. It can be coordinated with almost any other color. My little bag measures about 10″x8″ but you can use the tutorial to make any size you need.

Your Supplies:

Rectangle piece of knit fabric (10×20″)
A 20″ ribbon about 1/2″ wide.

Step 1

Cut a rectangle out of your fabric. Mine was 10×20″.

Step 2

Fold the top down about 4″. Sew two straight lines. One at the edge of your fold and one about 1″ from the edge.

Step 3

Fold your fabric over right sides together and sew all the way around the side and bottom leaving the 1″ opening where you sew your lines.

Step 4

Next form a small triangle on each of your bottom ends. Sew down about 2″ from the edge and cut off the remaining.

Step 5

Take a pin and pull through your ribbon through your 1″ opening.

That’s it! You are done.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Sewing.

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Comments (50)

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+4 Vote up Vote down

Kate · 516 weeks ago

Thanks for the great, quick tutorial.

Just wondering if the unfinished seam of the casing shows where the ribbon comes out of the side of the bag? (Does that make sense?)

1 reply · active 506 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Dianne · 516 weeks ago

you are amazing. thx

+3 Vote up Vote down

kyungsuyah 1p · 515 weeks ago

I'm going to try this to make a bag for my baby (she loves bags but the large shopping bags she normally drags around are way too big for her LOL). I am not good with sewing machines (even if hubby could find mine in all our boxes) so I'm going try it by hand. Should be interesting. :D Thanks for the instructions. It makes things easier for me.

6 replies · active 417 weeks ago

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Eldonna · 515 weeks ago

When sewing knits it is best to use a ball point needle. It may. Be marked ball point or it may be marked simply "for knits."

Ball point needles are made for both hand sewing and for sewing machines. A craft or sewing store will have them. My local big box store does not sell them, it is essentially our only option.

Try sewing a scrap piece of knit fabric with the needle you are using. You will see that it goes into the fiber, instead of between the fibers. When the fabric is stretched it tends to tear.

A ball point needle goes between the fibers instead. It allows the fabric to stretch without tearing.

1 reply · active 346 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

vanessa · 514 weeks ago

This looks really good. I am new to sewing. I am going to have a go. Thanks a go. Regards from Vanessa in England xx

-1 Vote up Vote down

Joan · 513 weeks ago

Thanks for the pattern.
I think I would put an opening on both sides and put a ribbon through both . Very easy to close and open.

1 reply · active 410 weeks ago

+2 Vote up Vote down

Cindy · 511 weeks ago

I have made bags like this before with out a pattern. When they get it they know its from me. I have never
put such a large gather for the top. I will try it . Thank you

+3 Vote up Vote down

essayboo · 510 weeks ago

I like this bag so much, it's so cute! The pattern is really great too, I need to try and find it so that I could do one for myself :)

+3 Vote up Vote down

Brandi · 503 weeks ago

I will be using this pattern to make goodie bags for an event I have coming up. I already made some in different sizes and sewed along the shorter side to get a "different" shape.

-8 Vote up Vote down

alsiah · 495 weeks ago

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-5 Vote up Vote down

alsiah · 495 weeks ago

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-8 Vote up Vote down

alsiah · 495 weeks ago

Of tutorials, before trying some suggestions earlier, one have to in order that the tiny basic needs to a dry diaper together with a full tummy have been completely paid for. If the don't make a deal a colicky moping and crying baby, then simply try you, or every, of that suggestions earlier.babyheritage

-5 Vote up Vote down

alsiah · 495 weeks ago

The skin onto your baby is amazingly fragile, soft and small. This means the facial skin is highly sensitive allowing it to react readily to temperatures temperatures along with irritants. Irritants does come from an assortment of substances though mainly because of the chemicals included in the products you receive on newly born baby.babycures

5 replies · active 421 weeks ago

-6 Vote up Vote down

alsiah · 495 weeks ago

One with more important points to contemplate when ordering infant beddings should be to see generally if the styles in addition to colours suit the kids age. Monkey infant beddings are located in bright colors which can be pleasant in the babies eyes and that is really very important.aboutmybaby

+1 Vote up Vote down

carol · 480 weeks ago

Hi, it was so cute I made some for a baby shower. I found that if you iron the sides in first it gives the drawstring openings a finished look and I ran a straw through the opening while it was still flat. Once the straw is through, you just tape the end of your ribbon to it and pull it through. Easier than working a safety pin through it.

0 Vote up Vote down

Caitlin West · 479 weeks ago

Trying to make and I am confused was wondering if you could post a video in slow motion that explains the step one by one so I can follow along!!!!!!

0 Vote up Vote down

Teresa B · 470 weeks ago

Thank you for this tutorial. I used it this morning to make a "magic sack" for my daughter's pre-school class.

+2 Vote up Vote down

Katie M · 469 weeks ago

Thank you for this! The instructions were clear and my final product is great. I made a bag for my breast pump parts.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Janet · 468 weeks ago

How do you carry it - no handles?

+1 Vote up Vote down

Pat · 467 weeks ago

I was just thinking about the handles too...any suggestions to get those in neatly?

1 reply · active 410 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Laura · 466 weeks ago

Great green idea to "wrap" gifts in.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Peggy · 463 weeks ago

Great tutorial! I like that you trim the bottom corners to make a "bottom" on the bag! I'm going to make some with some pretty fabric and lace trims, etc., and use them as gift bags for my granddaughters' birthdays!
My recent post Rainbow birthday cake