How To Sew A Flap Bag With Free Printable Pattern

I have been in the mood to make something new, but I didn’t know quite what I wanted. I was chatting to my sewing friend, Debbie, and she told me about this fun new sewing pattern. I can’t wait to share it with you. Today on Happiest Camper, I’m going to show you How To Sew A Flap Bag With Free Printable Pattern! Stylish and cute, this fold-over bag will add finesse to any outfit you are wearing. It’s perfect for a romantic date night or a night out. This bag has a fold-over main compartment plus an outside zippered pocket that is great for keys, chapstick, or slightly larger items. The main compartment is spacious and I love the fold-over design with the zipper top. It makes getting into the bag simple and I don’t have to worry about items falling out when I am out and about. The included free pattern makes it quick and simple to cut out the fabric pieces you’ll need for this bag. I picked some striped print fabric I love and I think it turned out so nice. Pick out some fabric you love and take some time to make yourself a super cute bag!

As far as supplies go, you’ll need basics like your sewing machine, rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, and pins or clips. You’ll also need to make sure you have the zipper foot attachment for your sewing machine handy when you get to the steps with the zippers. You’ll also need a D-ring and a clasp of your choosing. I had some lobster clasps handy and they worked well. Gather up all your supplies and let’s get started! In this sewing project, we might even use a few of the sewing hacks I learned from my Grandma.

What You’ll Need:

• One 15” zipper 
• One 9-10” zipper 
• 1 lobster claps with 1” inner width
• 1 D or O ring 1” inner width
• 0.5 Yard of 44″ Wide Fabric for main
• 0.5 Yard of 44″ Wide Fabric for lining
• 1/4 Yard of Interfacing
• Matching Thread
• Free Flap Bag Sewing Pattern
• Iron
• Pins
• Scissors 
• Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
• Measuring tape 
• Thread nippers
• Sewing machine
• Fabric marker
• Bodkin or Safety Pin

Printing Instructions

This flap bag pattern has layers so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print. Is this sewing project not in the size you are looking for? Then check out our tutorial on Pattern Grading. 

Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.

Trimming Pages

Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together. 

Pattern Assembly

After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment.  When done your pattern should look like this: 

Pattern Pieces Checklist

Once you have printed and assembled your pattern you will cut:

• Bag    – Cut 4 – 2 main fabric and 2 lining fabric (mirrored)
• Pocket   – Cut 1
• Interfacing – Cut 2
• Strap  – Cut 1 
• D Ring Loop – Cut 1

Seam Allowance

Use a 1/4” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed.  

How To Sew A Flap Bag With Free Printable Pattern

The first step on this how to sew a flap bag with free printable pattern tutorial is to wash, dry, and iron your fabric. This process acts as a preshrink and makes your fabric a little easier to work with. Note that you do not wash your interfacing. Once you have done that, print and assemble the free pattern and use it to cut out your fabric pieces from the cut list above.

Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the lining pieces. Transfer the welt pocket marking to the right side of the Bag Back piece. Pin the pocket fabric to the right side of the Bag Back using the pattern markings as a guide. 

Head over to your sewing machine and sew around the marking made on the pocket lining. 

Now, transfer the other pocket markings to the pocket lining. 

Cut through the pocket lining and main bag fabric along the markings. 

Next on this easy sew flap bag with printable pattern tutorial, turn the pocket lining through the opening so that it goes to the wrong side of the Bag. Press well.

Place the welt pocket zipper on the pocket lining and pin in place. 

Switch to a zipper foot and sew the zipper in place 1/8” from the fabric fold. 

Fold the pocket lining onto itself, aligning raw edges and pin.  Sew around all 3 raw edges of the pocket. 

Next on this flap bag sewing project, we will work on the strap. Fold your strap and D ring loop in half and press. Then fold the long raw edges towards the ironed seam and press. Finally, fold the fabric in half and press. 

Sew the two long edges of each piece. 

Slide your D ring onto the fabric loop so that it is even. Pin. 

Pin the loop / D ring  1” above the welt pocket. Arrange your zipper so that the pull is at the highest point of the diagonal cut on the fabric. Place the zipper and the Main Fabric Bag Back right sides together and pin. Sew it in place.

Pin the bag lining fabric to the main fabric, sandwich the zipper between them, and sew. We are about halfway through this how to sew a flap bag with free printable pattern tutorial!

Rearrange the fabric so that the main and the lining are now wrong sides together. 

Take your other main fabric and align it to the free end of the zipper. The main fabric should be right sides together.

Pin the pieces together and sew using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Now, will do the same with the lining for your flap bag. Take your other lining fabric and align it to the free end of the zipper. The lining fabric should be right sides together.

Pin and sew.

Next on this DIY flap bag sewing tutorial, rearrange the fabric so the main fabrics are right sides together, and the lining fabrics are right sides together. Open the zipper halfway.

Pin all around the bag, leaving a 3-4” opening in the lining to turn the bag right sides out.

Sew around the bag using a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving that gap. Be sure to back stitch over the loop area to keep it secure. 

Clip the corners of the bag so that it has less bulk when you turning it right side out.

Turn the bag right sides out through the opening left in the lining. 

Fold the raw edges of the lining opening inwards and machine sew or hand slip stitch the opening closed.

To finish the strap for our flap bag with free printable pattern, place the strap through the clasp aligning raw edges. Sew with a 1” seam allowance.

Trim one-half of the seam allowance to a 1/4”.

Fold the 1” seam allowance in half, positioning it to cover the raw edges. Sew.

Fix the clasp to the D Ring.  Rearrange the strap so the seam is placed on the clasp. Sew using a 1” seam allowance so the strap is securely fixed in place.

And that’s it! Now you know how to sew a flap with free printable pattern! This is such a cute bag. It has become one of my favorite bags for dates and formal occasions. I always get lots of compliments on it. Sew one of these for yourself and one as a gift!

If you liked learning how to sew a flap with free printable pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

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