35 FREE Patterns For Quick & Easy 1-Yard Bags!
Use the following patterns to turn a single 1-yard cut of fabric into a pretty tote bag you’ll love. I know you’ll gain confidence when you see how quickly these free sewing patterns come together. I put together 35 easy to sew designs, including everyday shopping bags, clever travel totes, and quick classroom carryalls, so you can start sewing right away.
Each free bag pattern is a perfect kickstart for your creativity. Because they are so fabric-efficient, you can easily sew up a batch to match every outfit or give them as custom gifts. Grab your favorite fabric prints and scraps – you’ll be amazed at the unique, custom bags you’ll proudly carry!
If You’re New to Sewing Bags:
For those who have never sewn before, 1-yard cuts of fabric are affordable, easy to find, and just enough to make one project. Best of all, the first five patterns on this list only require basic sewing skills and tools – a sewing machine, scissors (or rotary cutter and mat), and coordinating thread. Pins or sewing clips will also be helpful.
Pro Tip: If the width of fabric is less than 40” you may need more than a yard for some of these sewing projects.
I’ve Listed my Easiest Bags First!
To help you find a sewing project you will love, the easiest patterns and tutorials are listed first. This is for all the beginning sewists!
Pro Tip: Lightweight cotton fabric (like quilting cotton) is easy to sew. So is heavier cotton fabric such as canvas, duck, and home decor fabrics. Almost all of these projects are designed for cotton. You can use leftover fabrics from a quilt, too!
One Yard Hobo Bag
The One Yard Magic Hobo Bag pattern is so easy to make. Do you have 1 yard for this in your fabric stash? Go grab it and start sewing. You’ll love to see how this bag gets its cool. unique shape!
Two Bags From One Yard
Sew a simple bag that folds over to close. This easy messenger bag tutorial is perfect for your first sewing project, or for someone who wants to make a new bag in under 20 minutes. Did I mention it’s super easy?
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Easy Tote
Super simple tote bags like this one are fast and easy to sew! Just grab 1/2 yard cute fabric exterior and any other 1/2 yard for the lining! This pattern makes a fabulous library bag, craft bag, or reusable shopping bag; it’s nearly time for treat bags!
Japanese Style Square Bag
Learn to sew an easy tote bag with a boxy shape. This Japanese-inspired design is perfect for a beginner because the shape is made with easy darts sewn into the side of the bag. The free sewing pattern includes instructions for making two different sizes. You’ll be able to make two of the smaller size bag with only one yard of fabric, so you can make one for yourself and one for a friend. Aw, you’re so thoughtful!
Cute Tote Bag with Optional Applique Bunnies
Here’s an unlined bag pattern that works best with heavier upholstery weight fabric (this fabric looked like linen, but it was polyester). The Easy Tote Pattern has a free (optional) bunny applique too. Here are my free applique patterns if you would like to look for something else.
Teacher Tote Bags
You will love the zippered top on these beautiful canvas bags that I designed with teachers in mind. The free tote bag pattern only requires 1/2 yard of cotton canvas fabric, and two coordinating cotton fat quarters to make a beautiful bag.
Hostess Apron and Tote Bag
Sew a matching hostess apron and tote bag with a single yard. Don’t miss out on this magical tutorial. Make it part of a Halloween costume, or a craft day with a friend.
Fish Drawstring Bags
Sew up adorable and useful drawstring laundry bags that are shaped like fish! This easy sewing tutorial includes free pattern templates. Get started now with just a yard of fabric. I have used this pattern to make a backpack too!
One Yard Messenger Bag
The One Yard Magic Messenger Bag is another perfect sewing project for a beginner, and it’s a super practical bag too. It could be your first DIY bag!
Canvas Book Bag
This little book bag pattern is perfect for natural canvas fabric for the tote, and quilting cotton for the straps. This bag pattern has a pocket on the outside for extra usefulness. I love a functional bag!
Car Diddy Bag
My Car Diddy Bag holds my phone (and the cords, lol), a couple of pens, and anything else I want to quickly toss in there while I’m driving. What will you put in it?
Big Pocket Baby Clutch
Handmade gifts are the best, aren’t they? Here’s a cute diaper clutch you can whip up quickly when a friend is having a baby. Just toss in a few diapers and wipes, and you’ve got the most thoughtful (and useful) gift at the baby shower!
Drawstring Ditty Bags
Learn how to make easy drawstring bags with less than a yard of fabric. You’ll love this tutorial, which can be sewn with coordinating fabrics or just one.
Flat Travel Bag
With just a half-yard of fabric, you can make one easy shoe storage bag, and with 1 yard, you can make a set of two. These are perfect for keeping shoes protected from everything else in your bag – or maybe keeping everything else protected from your shoes, lol!
Rope Handled Totes
My rope-handled tote pattern is so quick to sew because you don’t have to make handles or straps. Rope is on trend, and easy to find so I like it for a short cut. You can make lots of different kinds of bag handles; it all depends on what you have to work with.
Big Vinyl and Fabric Tote
How can you sew a big, professional-looking bag with just four fat quarters? Use see-through vinyl for the sides! This beautiful See-Through Tote is easy to sew for a confident beginner. It’s perfect for taking to the airport or the stadium!
Handy Travel Pouch
Sew together a handy travel pouch with a cross-body strap that’s perfect for travel. There are three interior pockets in three sizes – that’s room for just what you need! Keep everything close with an adjustable strap.
Sweet Quilted Bag
Learn how to sew a quilted tote. The quilting stitches are optional, but I hope you don’t skip them! It’s one of the first things I do, and it adds so much character. Give it a try!
Convertible Cross Body Tote
Sew a beautiful cross-body bag pattern that will be your new favorite purse! You can easily switch from cross-body to shoulder carry depending on your mood or your fit. The strap makes it convertible so you can take it anywhere.
Chubby Lunch Tote
The Chubby Lunch Tote is a medium skill-level bag for holding much more than just your lunch. You can use it as a cosmetic bag, a nail art bag, and more. You’ll be amazed at how spacious it is.
Boxy Zipper Bag or Purse Pattern
My Boxy Zipper Bag Pattern can be made with or without bag hardware. Add handles to make a purse, or D-rings and a strap to make a cross-body bag. I remember when I was in elementary school it was really cool to have a purse with both!
Two Bags from 1 Yard of Fabric
Mix and match with this One Yard Magic Bag Pattern. This sweet bag design lets you make two tote bags from 1 yard of fabric! These DIY tote bags include zippers and a lining. The smaller one is just the right size for a purse. You’ll need just a few other supplies like nylon or metal zippers, fusible interfacing, and bag handles (or fabric to make your own).
Yarn Project Bag
Sew up a roomy bag perfect for carrying balls of yarn, and your knitting or crochet projects! The Yarn Project Bag would make a great gift. It’s like a portable yarn bowl with a hole on the top so you can access the good stuff without getting it dirty or making a mess!
Double Compartment Cross Body Bag
Make a Double Compartment Cross Body Bag with two main pockets, a slim third pocket, plus a zipper pocket on the back! You’ll love it.
The Arial Bag
Sew yourself (or a friend) the Arial Tote Pattern with a unique braided strap and a cell phone pocket on the inside! Once you start, you won’t want to stop.
Pretty Hobo Bag
Of all the free bag patterns to sew, this hobo bag-style purse pattern is easier to make than you think! I wanted to keep it simple enough that it wouldn’t take more than a day to sew and yet still have all the features of an everyday purse. I did machine embroidery on the side pieces before sewing it together, but you can let your fabric be the star of the show.
Clamshell Bag
Sew a clamshell bag pattern just the way you like it! Without anything fancy, this zipper bag is just right for holding supplies, cosmetics, or small things when you travel. But if you add exterior pockets and handles, it makes a darling handbag.
Hold Anything Tote
This Hold Anything Tote is perfect if you have a yard of fabric, and some scraps for the lining. You will be happy to have a way to carry all that yarn!
- Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine.
Belt Bag
Sew your own sling bag (a.k.a. cross body, hip bag, fanny pack, waist wallet, belt bag…you get the idea) using your favorite fabric and easy sewing techniques. This free sewing pattern will show you how!
The One Yard Tote
This tote is perfect as a reusable shopping bag because you can roll it or fold it up, and since it takes only one yard of fabric it’s realistic to sew a few of them for all your shopping needs.
Car Trash Bag
This easy-to-sew car trash bin has an adjustable strap so it can be placed near your car’s center console, around a headrest, or you can even loop through a door handle. Plastic snaps hold a removable bag in place to keep everything clean and easily remove trash!
The Perfect First Tote Bag
This tutorial by Debbie is really nicely done. It includes a few things that elevate it from a beginner bag (which it totally is) to a lovely skilled, professionally finished bag!
Kids Bike Messenger Bag
This pattern is for a cute messenger bag that fits on the front of a bike – it’s perfect for kids or kids at heart! It’s nice to have a secure place for important things.
Baguette Bag
Sew a small purse in the cutest shape everyone wants – a Baguette Bag! This purse may be small, but you can still pack it with everything you need. I get compliments every time I take it out.
The Perfect DIY Wallet Bag
This is great in a bigger bag or on its own. There’s a pocket with optional vinyl for your phone, and you can add a strap or not. Check out my free Perfect DIY Wallet pattern.
DIY Clutch Bag
Here is a free clutch bag pattern for a great clutch! The fabric will make the style fun or formal.
Triple Zipper Bag
This bag delivers. There’s a place for everything, and everything in its place. I’m sure you will love sewing the free triple zipper bag pattern. And don’t let the zippers scare you off. I promise you can do it!
Leather Hobo Bag
If you want to branch out from cotton fabric, you can try vinyl or leather. This easy leather hobo bag is a beautiful pattern to try first!
Bonus: Bag Organizer!
Change your things from one purse to another with this handy purse organizer. You won’t need two of everything, and you won’t forget something important in your other bag!
More from SewCanShe:
35 Free Bag Patterns: Sew With Quilting Cotton Fabric
35 Free Sewing Patterns for Beautiful Structured Bags with Foam Stabilizer
20 Free CrossBody Bag Sewing Patterns You’ll Make More than Once
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