This super cute and functional bag makes an amazing option for a purse or simply a new bag for a quick trip to the grocery store. This also makes a sweet gift for that special girl or lady in your life. Super lightweight and easy to mail off for a birthday present or even a “thinking of you” surprise! With our How to Sew a Japanese Knot Bag tutorial, which includes a free pattern, you’ll be making purses in no time!
As we show you how to sew a Japanese know bag with a free pattern, you can use various patterns and colors and styles of fabrics to completely customize this unique bag to meet your needs. I’m so excited about this project as I have been wanting to make one of these bags for a long time! I think I am going to use my Japanese Knot Bag on my next trip because it can easily fold into one of my small suitcases without taking up a lot of space. Let’s get started!
Printable PDF Version of how to sew a Japanese Knot Bag - This PDF version has been optimized for printing and you won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. If you would like to purchase an ad free printable version of this sewing pattern & tutorial, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for Japanese Knot Bag - PDF Download & you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this knot bag pattern & tutorial or you can keep reading for the free version of this tutorial.
Supplies for Japanese Knot Bag
- Pattern (free pattern – Full pdf pattern or each section A, B, C, D )
- 1/2 yard each of printed cotton outer and a solid lining fabric
- 1 yard of lightweight interfacing, if desired (I did not use this. This would be important for lighter fabrics)
- Rotary cutter and mat, measuring tape or ruler
- Sewing Pins or clips
- Thread
- Scissors
- Washable fabric marker
- As with most sewing projects you will need an iron, ironing board, and sewing machine.
The finished size of the large bag is 12×17 and the smaller bag is 10×13. As always you can adjust the Japanese knot bag size to fit your needs or you can just make one of each size.
How to Sew a Japanese Knot Bag with Free Pattern
First, before you start any sewing on your Japenese knot bag you’ll want to download and print the pattern on heavy paper or card stock. Choose which size bag you want to make! If using this Full pdf pattern, enlarge approximately 125-135% for the small bag and 200% for the large bag or to make it easier you can print using these links for each section which you will print into sections A, B, C, D that you can tape together. This only comes in the large size, so you will have to print two, and cut down the 2nd one for the smaller sized bag.
As with all sewing projects you’ll want to wash, dry and press your fabric before working it into your project! This sets your easy sewing project up for success and less chance of pulls or tears in the future. Especially since you might want to wash this bag at some point! Now, it won’t shrink in the wash! Let’s get starting on cutting and sewing to make this bag.
To make your Japanese Knot bag you’ll want to start by taking your printed fabric and with right sides together, trace the pattern template onto your fabric. Repeat for the solid fabric. Make sure you’re cutting the pattern twice for each fabric.
Make sure you have four sides. Two for the inside and two for the outside.
With right sides together, pin or clip the pattern pieces together from the notch on the right side to the notch on the left side. Repeat with the solid pieces.
The next step in this how-to sew a Japenese knot bag tutorial is to use a 1/4 inch seam allowance, you’ll sew from notch to notch on the pattern and the solid pieces as well as the top of each handle.
Next, clip small notches around the curve of the bottom of each piece.
Turn the solid piece (inside fabric) right side out and insert it into the patterned piece (outside fabric), which will still be showing the wrong side out. Line up your seams, raw edges, and handles.
Your knot bag is taking shape! Now, you will pin or clip the edges of the rounded part of the handles or the “neckline” of the bag.
Next, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew around the “neckline”.
We are almost finished with your Japanese Knot Bag tutorial! Next, clip small notches around the curve of the handles of each piece.
Going through the handles, turn the bag right side out, so the patterned fabric will be on the outside. Press your seams to help it lay flat and easier for the next step.
Finally, to finish your DIY sewing of the Japenese knot bag, fold under and press the open raw edges of the handles 1/4 inch and topstitch 1/8 inch around the bag handle to finish the bag. Remember now that you have made one you can play with the Free Pattern and make others in different sizes or the same. This way you can have a knot bag for those days you need to carry more or another one for those days you only have a few items.
Now, that you have made your Japanese knot bag you have a super cute option to use for whatever you need to carry around with you! These are super customizable with the amount of variety of patterns and colors in fabrics that are available. Plus these make a great gift, I mean if someone made one for me I would love it and you could even fill it with a few items they love as well.
If you liked how to sew a Japanese Knot Bag with Free pattern tutorial make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make the Knot Bag take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices others make.
How to Sew a Japanese Knot Bag with Free Pattern
This trendy Japanese Knot bag tutorial is simple to follow and will have you making these purses for all the ladies in your life! With various patterns and fabrics, the possibilities and looks for this cute bag are endless!
Materials
- Two coordinating cotton fabrics (1/2 yard of each)
- Sewing Pins/Clips
- Matching Thread
- Pattern
- (1 yard of lightweight interfacing, if using a lighter fabric)
Tools
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Purple Thing Turning Tool
Instructions
- Download Full pdf pattern or each section A, B, C, D and print the pattern on heavy paper or card stock. Take your printed fabric and with right sides together and trace the pattern template. Repeat for the solid fabric.* See NOTE
- Cut your pattern for each.
- Still, with right sides together, pin or clip the pattern pieces together from the notch on the right side to the notch on the left side. Repeat with the solid pieces.
- Using a ¼ inch seam allowance, sew from notch to
notch on the pattern and the solid pieces as well as the top of each handle. - Clip small notches around the curve of the bottom of
each piece. - Turn the solid piece right side out and insert it
into the solid piece, which will still be showing the wrong side out. Line up your seams, raw edges, and handles. - Pin or clip the edges of the rounded part of the
handles or the "neckline" of the bag. - Using a ¼ inch seam allowance, sew around the
“neckline”. - Clip small notches around the curve of the bottom of
each piece. - Going through the handles, turn the bag right side
out, so the patterned fabric will be on the outside. Press your seams. - Fold under and press the open raw edges of the
handles ¼ inch and topstitch 1/8 inch around bag handles to finish.
Notes
If using the Full pdf pattern, enlarge approximately 125-135% for the small bag and 200% for the large bag or you can print using these links for each section which you will print into sections A, B, C, D that you can tape together. This only comes in the large size, so you will have to print two, and cut down the 2nd one for the smaller bag.
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