15 Bag-Making Mistakes to Avoid

Here’s my first-ever bag…

… and one of my most recent.

Same maker, many lessons in between!
Whether you’re just starting out or have already sewn a bunch of bags, there’s always something new to learn — and a few habits to unlearn.

In this post, I’m sharing 15 common bag-making mistakes from the early days and beyond — the kind that can hold your bags back from looking their best.

Let’s begin with some beginner-friendly lessons:

1. Skipping Interfacing

One of the biggest bag making mistakes is underestimating interfacing. It gives your bag its shape, stability, and structure. Without it, your work might look more like a floppy grocery sack than a finished, durable bag.

👉 Have you downloaded my INTERFACING GUIDE yet?

2. Choosing Cheap Fabrics

If you want to create bags that last for years, fabric quality matters. Bargain-bin fabric might seem tempting, but it frays quickly, stretches, or fades. This mistake can turn a beautiful design into a bag that falls apart soon. Choose canvas, denim, home decor fabric, vinyl/faux leather…

👉 I often use quilt cotton, which is a medium-weight fabric, but I always pair it with the right interfacing to give it strength and body.

3. Forgetting to Prewash Fabrics

If you’re using cotton (especially heavyweight cotton), always prewash it! Shrinking after a bag is sewn can ruin the shape or cause seams to pucker.

👉 Prewashing also softens fabric, removes chemicals, and prevents distortion. You can skip this step only if you’re using synthetic fabrics that don’t shrink.

4. Using the Wrong Needle

Bag projects often involve multiple layers, interfacing, or foam. Trying to sew all that with a universal needle? You’ll end up with broken needles and skipped stitches.

👉 My go-to: Jeans needles (many times size 110) — strong enough to handle thick layers with ease.

5. Starting with Overcomplicated Patterns

Many beginners dive into advanced patterns with zippers, curves, and foam. I know, it’s exciting! But starting too big can lead to frustration, wasted fabric, or unfinished projects.

6. Skipping Machine Maintenance

I make this mistake way too often! Bag layers create lint and put stress on your machine. Without regular cleaning and oiling, your machine may skip stitches, tangle thread, or even wear out early.

👉 Even if you’re not big on machine care, try to clean and oil it before each new bag project. It only takes a few minutes and makes a noticeable difference.

7. Sewing Bags Too Bulky for Your Machine

My machine is tough and handles heavy layers well, but not all machines are built that way. Some struggle with thick seams and multiple layers. If your machine is having a hard time, try these tricks:

• Trim seam allowances
• Grade the layers so they’re not all stacked the same
• Use a walking foot or hump jumper to help move things along

👉 What is grading seam allowances?
Instead of leaving all seam layers the same width, you trim each one to a different length so they don’t stack on top of each other. It makes seams flatter and easier to sew.
See a visual example here: How to Reduce Bulk in Seams

8. Not Reinforcing Important Seams

Straps, corners, and base seams take the most stress. If they’re not reinforced, they can pop or stretch out with use.

👉 Always double-stitch or backstitch at stress points, especially for bags that carry weight, like groceries or books.

9. Skipping the Press (Yes—During and After!)

Your bag might be finished, but a good final press can make all the difference. It’s what takes a bag from “nicely made” to “professionally polished.”

👉 Don’t wait till the end—press every seam as you go for a cleaner, more beautiful finish overall.

10. Not Keeping Notes

Have you ever made a great bag and then completely forgotten what interfacing you used? I’ve been there!

After sewing dozens of bags, the challenges shift!
You’re not battling skipped stitches or floppy sides anymore—you’re refining details, efficiency, and presentation.
Here are a few other issues:

11. Rushing Through Binding & Topstitching

Binding and topstitching are often the last steps—and easy to rush. But these finishing touches make the bag.

For topstitching:
Even and neat stitching lines instantly level up the finished look. A longer stitch length (3.0–3.5) and topstitching thread make the details shine.

12. Getting Too Comfortable with the Same Materials

It’s easy to stick to what we know, but trying new materials—like cork, or waxed canvas, or vinyl—can completely change how your favorite patterns look and feel.
Here is an example: heavyweight cotton and faux leather.

13. Overlooking Ergonomics & Function

When you design a bag, think about how it’ll feel to use — not just how it looks. Will the straps sit comfortably? Aren’t they too narrow or too wide, too short or too long? Can you reach the zipper easily? Are the pockets deep enough? A quick ‘wear test’ can save you from design regrets later!

14. Avoiding New Techniques

Even if your tried-and-true methods work, there’s always a fresh way to do something; staying open to fresh techniques keeps sewing fun and helps you grow. After years of making bags, I’m still guilty of sticking to old habits many times!

15. Photographing an Empty Bag

Bags look flat and boring when you photograph them empty. Before you snap a photo, stuff your bag with towels, or the things you’d normally carry. This helps the bag hold its shape and shows off your hard work.

💬 Final Thoughts:
Progress Matters More Than Perfection!

We all want our bags to look beautiful, but perfectionism can ruin the fun. We don’t want to spend more time unpicking seams than sewing, do we? Guess what? The more bags you make, the better you’ll get!

👉 Here’s the truth!
DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT. Every bag you finish teaches you something new. Focus on progress, not perfection.

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