Essential tips for sewing bags: Keeping Bag Linings in Place

Have you ever had the lining of your tote bag pulled out when removing items or found yourself rearranging it when the bag is empty because it won’t stay at the bottom? Today, I’ll show you how to secure the lining to the outer bag to prevent these issues.
Plus, I will show you how a simple pressing technique will take your bag to the next level.

TIPS FOR SEWING BAGS

This is the quickest and easiest way to sew a simple bag, but these techniques can be applied to many bag patterns.

I made two small bags for two little girls, planning to use them as gift bags. If you need larger bags, simply use bigger fabric pieces.

Here is what you need for a 12” x 13” x 3” bag:

• 2 pieces 14” x 14” for the outer bag
• 2 pieces 14” x 14” for the lining
• 2 pieces 2” x 13” for straps.

If you want to reduce your fabric stash, you could use even 4 different fabrics!
I used quilt-weight fabrics. If you want to make them more durable, add woven interfacing to the outer fabrics or use heavyweight fabrics.

Here is the sewing sequence:

Place the four fabric pieces together, and cut out 1 1/2” squares from the bottom.

Sew the straps.
If you want stronger straps, add interfacing.
For bigger bags, cut wider straps.

Attach the straps on the exterior panels, at 4” from the vertical edges.

Place the two exterior panels right sides together. Sew the three edges as shown; Use 1/4” or 3/8” seam allowance.

Repeat with the lining panels, but leave a gap in the bottom seam.

Turn the lining right side out and place it inside the outer bag.

Align the top edges; sew at 1/4” from the edge.

Separate the lining from the outer bag.

Pin the edges of the corners together, matching the side and the bottom seams.

Bring the corners of the outer bag and lining together.

Match the seams, keep all the edges aligned, and pin through all four layers.
Sew at 3/8” from the edge.

The corners of the outer bag and lining are now securely attached.

NOTE
If your outer bag has thick layers and you find it difficult to execute ACCURATELY this technique in one step, here is what to do:
– stitch each corner individually as accurately as possible
– bring the corners together
– attach the corners by sewing next to the previous seams; this seam will not be visible on the exterior bag. You can even attach the corners by sewing them by hand.

Turn the bag exterior side out through the gap in the lining.

Finish the seam in the bottom of the lining.

Sew close to the top edges of the bag.

Press the bag as usual.

If you want to give your bag a more polished look, here is how to press it.
Press first the bottom corner seam.

Press the vertical edges, based on the length of the corner seam.

Fold and press the front and back side of the bag to create the bottom of the bag.

Press the front and back panels and the top edges.

See the difference a bit of pressing can make to a bag!

Now, go ahead and fill it with gifts!

And it’s reversible!

I hope you find these techniques helpful and use them often.

This post is part of the series

Happy sewing!