How To Make A Shoulder Bag In Under An Hour

The first thing I like to do on any sewing project is wash, dry, and iron my fabric. This helps me get nice, crisp cuts and preshrinks the fabric so that none of the stitches get messed up the first time I wash this bag. Next, on this how to make a shoulder bag in under an hour tutorial, cut out the free pattern and use it to make the following cuts in your fabric. Looking for a bigger or smaller size of this pattern? Then check out our post on Pattern Grading.  For the body of the bag, use the pattern and cut (2) pieces from the outside and inside fabrics and cotton quilt batting. For the pocket of the bag, cut (2) 6 ½” square pieces in your pocket fabric and one 6 ½” square piece from your interfacing.  For the straps of the bag, cut (2) 30”x2” pieces in your strap fabric and (2) 30”x2” pieces in your interfacing. 

Next, iron the interfacing to the wrong side of one of the 6 ½” square pieces of fabric for the pocket.

Now, pin the two pieces of pocket fabric together, right sides facing together.

Using a ½” seam allowance, sew around the pocket making sure to leave a 3” gap for turning.

Clip the corners, making sure not to cut into your stitching.

Next on this how to make a shoulder bag in under an hour tutorial, turn the pocket right side out. I like to use a turning tool or the eraser end of a pencil to make sure the corners are pushed out all the way.

Press flat with a warm iron.

Find the middle point on the right side of one of the lining pieces you’ve cut. Align your pocket and pin into place.

Starting on the right side of the pocket, using a ¼” seam allowance, sew down the side, across the bottom, and up the left side. To secure the pocket, I suggest sewing a second line, 1/4” to the left of the first line.

Next on this how to make a shoulder bag in under an hour tutorial, we will work on the main body of the purse. Pin the two pieces of lining fabric together, right sides facing together.

Using a ½” seam allowance, sew around, leaving a 3” gap for turning.

Clip the corners in the curves to make it easier to turn. We are about halfway through this how to make a shoulder bag in under an hour!

Using a turning tool or chopstick, turn the pocket right side out, making sure to push out the corners. Press flat with a warm iron.

Repeat the above steps for the outside fabric, except you are going to layer as follows: (1) piece of cotton batting, (2) outside pieces, right sides together, and (1) piece of cotton batting. Line up your edges as best you can and pin securely, so nothing shifts as you sew. Clip your rounded corners well. I suggest making a 4” gap for turning as you have more bulk on this piece than the lining.

Next on this how to make a shoulder bag the easy way, we will make the straps. Iron the interfacing to each piece of the wrong side of the strap fabric.

Fold each side over ¼ and iron in place.

and then fold in half lengthwise and iron in place.

Pin or clip and using a ¼” seam allowance, sew all the way around each strap.

Now on this how to make a shoulder bag in under an hour tutorial, we are going to put it all together! Make sure your lining is wrong side out and your outside is right side out. Slip the outside piece into the lining. Line up your side seams and pin them into place. 

Decide and mark your placement for the straps. Place your straps upside down in between the two pieces (so it makes a smile shape). Pin the straps in place and then pin them around the rest of the opening.

Using a 3/8” seam allowance, sew all around the perimeter of the bag, leaving a 3-4” gap for turning.

Using a turning tool or chopstick, turn right side out, making sure to push out the corners. Press flat with a warm iron.

Topstitch all around the perimeter, closing the turning gap closed.

For last thing we need to do on this how to make a shoulder bag in under an hour tutorial, is install the Kam snaps. You will need four plastic Kam snaps; two have a flat end with a point and two will have a hole. One that has a flat top that looks like a tack, and one has a hole that goes up that looks like an outie belly button. 

Your kit also comes with an awl, which is a tool with a handle with a sharp point and a hand-held press. Once you have decided and marked where the snaps will be placed, you will push the awl through the fabric of the flap, making a small hole. 

Place the snap, which is the flat piece with the point on it, with the point coming into the hole towards the inside of the bib, with the flat end facing the outside of the bib. Place one of the snaps with the hole (it doesn’t matter which) on top of the point of the snap, and using the hand-held press, squeeze the snaps together. Repeat on the other side but reverse the side you have the snap and hole. If you need help, you can use the tutorial on the KAM website. 

And that’s it! Now you know how to make a shoulder bag in under an hour! This is such a cute and easy to sew bag. It works great for those times when you want to carry a smaller purse. You can pick out some cute fabric and really make it stand out! The best part about this project is how quickly you can make it. I sat down and make a few of these in the afternoon so I could give some to my daughters. They love them. Be sure to let us know what you love about this shoulder bag in the comments!