How to add straps to box pouches

I love my new boxy pouch pattern; you can make pouches in any size and shape you want. You can make these pouches with cotton fabric and interfacing, but my favorites ones are the one made with faux leather: it’s the easiest and quickest version but I love even more that you can easily shape the pouch as you want.

But I wanted even more from this pattern. I wanted to turn pouches into little bags. Usually, it’s an easy thing: just add straps. But due to the shape of this pouch and because I wanted to do it in an elegant way (not just stitching straps on the top, they would have the ends exposed), I had to use a little trick.

For regular bags the straps are inserted into the top seam of the bag. But these pouches do not have a top seam, so here is the trick:

I divided the fabric into panels to create seams; you can use this technique for any bag that presents such challenge.

Here are my little bags!

They measure 10” x 5” x 4”.

Different ways of inserting the straps, at different levels from the base.

Three ways to combine the colors- 3 different designs.

If you want only the straps, without changing the look of the piece, you can use the same colors for all the panels.

It’s hard to catch the charm of these little bags in pictures.

Learn how to sew these lovely little bags here.

Happy sewing!