What You Need to Sew a Basic Cloth Bag

A cloth bag requires only five things: two pieces of fabric, thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric, a needle, scissors, and pins. You do not need a sewing machine — hand-sewing works perfectly well and takes about an hour for a small bag. If you have a machine, the same bag takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Fabric scraps work fine. A bag large enough to hold a book needs two rectangles roughly 9 inches by 12 inches each. Cotton, linen, canvas, and quilting cotton are easiest to work with because they hold their shape and do not fray as badly as knits. Avoid stretchy fabrics for your first bag.

Thread should be strong enough not to snap under weight. All-purpose polyester or cotton thread works. If you are hand-sewing, a needle size 7 or 8 is standard. If you are using a machine, use the needle that came with it or a universal size 80/12.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two rectangles of fabric the same size, pin them together with the pretty sides facing inward, and sew three sides closed, leaving one short end open.
  • Turn the bag right-side out through the opening, then fold the raw edges inward and sew the opening shut by hand or machine.
  • Add handles by cutting two strips of fabric, folding them lengthwise, sewing them closed, then stitching them to the inside top edges of the bag.
  • Hand-sewing takes about an hour; a machine cuts that to 15 to 20 minutes, but both methods produce a bag that lasts years with normal use.

Cutting and Pinning Your Fabric Pieces

Lay both fabric pieces flat on a table or cutting mat. Measure and mark two rectangles that are exactly the same size — a 9-by-12-inch rectangle makes a small bag good for groceries or a library trip. Use a ruler or measuring tape and mark the corners with a pencil or fabric pen.

Cut along your marks with sharp scissors. Fabric scissors cut cleaner than kitchen scissors and are worth buying if you plan to sew more than once. Dull scissors fray the edges and make them harder to work with.

Place the two rectangles on top of each other with the right sides facing inward — the pretty, printed, or colored side should be on the inside. This is the most common mistake: if you sew with the right sides facing outward, your seams will show on the finished bag. Pin all four edges together, spacing pins about 2 inches apart.

Sewing Three Sides Closed

You will sew three complete sides and leave one short end open. This opening is how you turn the bag right-side out later.

If you are hand-sewing, thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. Start at one corner of a long side and push the needle through both layers of fabric about a quarter-inch from the edge. Use a running stitch: push the needle in and out of the fabric in a straight line, making stitches about a quarter-inch long. Keep your stitches as even as possible. When you reach a corner, make two or three stitches right on top of each other to reinforce it, then continue along the next side.

Sew the entire long side, then the short side, then the other long side. Stop at the second short side — do not sew it. This is your opening. Tie off your thread with a knot on the inside.

If you are using a machine, set it to a straight stitch with medium length (around 2.5 on most machines). Start at one corner and sew a quarter-inch from the edge, using the presser foot as your guide. Sew three complete sides, leaving the fourth side open. Backstitch at the beginning and end to lock the thread.

Turning the Bag Right-Side Out

Reach through the open side and grab the fabric from the inside. Pull gently and steadily until the bag flips inside out and the right sides are now facing outward. This takes a moment — go slowly so you do not tear the seams.

Use a blunt object like a wooden spoon handle or chopstick to push the corners out from the inside so they are sharp and square, not rounded. This makes the finished bag look neater.

Press the bag flat with an iron on low heat if you have one, or straightforward smooth it with your hands. Fold the raw edges of the open side inward about a quarter-inch and pin them together. The folded edges should meet in the middle of the opening.

Closing the Opening by Hand or Machine

This seam is visible on the outside, so it is worth doing neatly. If you are hand-sewing, use a ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch), which is nearly invisible. Bring your needle up through the fold of fabric on one side, then slide it horizontally inside the fold for about a quarter-inch, then come back out and cross over to the other side. Repeat this zigzag pattern all the way across the opening. Pull the thread gently every few stitches and the opening will close with the seam hidden inside the fold.

If you are using a machine, sew a quarter-inch from the folded edge, going all the way across the opening. Backstitch at both ends. This seam will be visible as a line on the outside of the bag, which is fine — many bags are finished this way.

Adding Handles to Your Bag

Cut two strips of fabric, each about 2 inches wide and 20 inches long. Fold each strip in half lengthwise with the right sides facing inward, so it is now 1 inch wide and 20 inches long. Pin along the long edge.

Sew a quarter-inch from the edge, running the full length of the strip. You now have a long tube. Turn it right-side out the same way you turned the bag — reach in from one end and pull. Press it flat with an iron or your hands.

Pin one handle to the inside top edge of the bag, positioning it so the ends are about 3 inches from each corner. Sew it down with a rectangle of stitches — sew across the width of the handle, then down one side, across the bottom, and up the other side. This reinforces the handle so it does not tear under weight. Repeat with the second handle on the opposite side of the bag.

Finishing and Using Your Bag

Trim any loose threads with scissors. If the fabric edges are fraying, you can seal them with a product called fray check (a liquid you paint on the edge), but it is not necessary — fraying stops after a few washes.

Your bag is now finished and ready to use. A hand-sewn or machine-sewn bag made from cotton or canvas will last for years if you do not overload it. Wash it in cool water by hand or on a gentle machine cycle, and air-dry it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a bag without a sewing machine?

Yes. Hand-sewing takes longer — about an hour instead of 15 minutes — but the result is identical. A running stitch and a ladder stitch are all you need. Many people prefer hand-sewing for small projects because it is quieter and you have more control.

What if my stitches are uneven or messy?

Uneven stitches do not affect how the bag works. If a stitch is so loose that it pulls apart, you can reinforce it by sewing over it again. If you really dislike how it looks, you can cut the thread, pull it out, and resew that section.

How much weight can a cloth bag hold?

A bag sewn with a running stitch or machine stitch and reinforced handles can hold 10 to 15 pounds without tearing, depending on the fabric weight. Canvas and heavy cotton hold more than lightweight cotton. Do not overload it — if the handles start to stretch, the bag is carrying too much.

Do I need to use matching thread?

No. Contrasting thread is visible and can look intentional and decorative. Matching thread is less noticeable. Either works — choose based on the look you want.

What should I do if I sew the opening shut by mistake?

Cut the stitches with a seam ripper or small scissors and pull them out. Then fold the edges inward and sew it closed the correct way. It happens to everyone.