The next bag I have been testing out is the Boxy Bag. This is a very popular bag pattern, especially for us beginners. After reviewing a few tutorials, I decided to follow Kelby at kelbysews. She has done such a wonderful job of showing you every single step of the process in her tutorial.
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I don't believe in re-inventing the wheel, so if you want all the ins and outs of this bag pattern, please go to her page and check it out. I couldn't write it better.
BUT! I did want to test a few additions/alterations.
- I love the look of the two tone pouches. Top half one print, bottom half a different print, wrapping around oh-so-neatly. I haven't seen a tutorial with the calculations to accomplish this. Let's figure it out!
- I don't "love" the look of the seams on the inside of the bag. Could we make some adjustments to hide those??
- POCKETS! I love them. A lot. But instead of adding a pocket to the lining with a topstitch like we did in the Petal Pouch trial, let's add an inserted pocket.... WITH A ZIPPER. Hold me back! I've lost it.
So let's do this!
Trial 1 : Two Tone Boxy Bag
This is the easiest modification to the pattern. In the pattern provided by kelbysews, this step would take place under the Required field. To achieve the two tone look, with the bottom half wrapping around the sides you will need to adjust the measurements and cutting instructions for the exterior fabric panel.
Keep the width of the desired bag the same for all three sections.
For the bottom half of the boxy pouch, divide your desired total length by 2, and then add 0.5 inch.
For the top 2 portions, divide the desired total length by 4, and then add 0.25 inches to each panel.
Here is a calculator to assist with determining measurements:
Using a quarter inch seam allowance, sew one of the top portions to the top of the base fabric and the other top portion to the bottom of the base.
Your exterior panel should now measure the same as your lining (assuming your lining panel is one continuous piece of fabric). You can now iron on the interfacing and continue with the pattern as normal.
Besides offering a unique look to the bag, this alteration also allows you to use quilting cotton fabrics without sacrificing the overall structure. For example, I like to use a heavier fabric like canvas or cork on the base portion. This helps keep the bottom of the bag firm and stand upright. I can then use a fun print quilting cotton for the top portions. Fun and functional!
Conclusion: SUCCESS!
Trial 2 : Hide those seams
Pink Stitches offers a tutorial on accomplishing this by cutting the outer fabric and lining fabric in half. This creates a seam running down the bottom of the outer panel of the bag. My goal was to keep the outer fabric as one continuous piece. The reason being, when you cut it in half and have a seam running along the bottom, you get a "booty" effect. This can be cute, but one of the characteristics of this bag that I like most is it's firm, flat bottom (that is the only time you will ever here me refer to a "firm, flat bottom").
First adjustment takes place in the Required section of the pattern, adjusting the size of the lining panel. The width of your lining will stay the same. Divide your desired total length by 2 and add 0.25 inch to each panel.
You should now have 2 pieces of fabric for the lining.
The next adjustment to the pattern occurs when you are creating your "zipper sandwich". The key is to not sew the exterior and lining fabrics all the way to the ends of the zipper. You need to start and end your stitches 1/2" to 5/8" from each end of the zipper. Trust me, this will help in later steps.
Once you have sandwiched both sides of the zipper and completed the top stitch it is time to combine the two sections of the lining.
Leave 3-4 inches open in the middle of the lining, making sure to back stitch on both sides of the opening. Stitch together the rest of the bottom portion, using 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Now it is time to stitch the sides and add the tabs. I will briefly go over the next few steps, but for an in depth tutorial please visit Pink Stitches Boxy Bag tutorial.
Make sure to create two flattened sections, one using the lining fabric (on top) and the other using your exterior fabric (bottom) with the zipper running along the middle in between.
Pin the tabs in between the two layers of exterior fabric (the lining fabric will not be sewn to the tabs).
Fold the lining fabric back like shown, and sew 1/2" - 5/8" seam allowance along the side of the pouch. Do this to both sides of the exterior panel.
Cut the seam allowance down to 1/4".
Flip the pouch over, pin back the sides of the exterior panel, and sew 1/2"-5/8" seam allowance along the sides of the interior fabric. Do this to both sides, trimming the same allowance down to 1/4" once complete.
These next few steps proved to be the most difficult for me. You will need to cut your corners from both the exterior fabric and the lining fabric. That is 8 corners you will need to cut. I stacked the folded lining on top of the exterior panel and cut 2 corners at once.
Fold the corners and zigzag stitch per the Boxy Bag pattern instructions.
Once all corners have been stitched closed, flip the entire bag through the opening you left in the lining seam. If you didn't back stitch the edges of the opening I expect some angry words will be yelled here.
Close the lining seam using your preferred method (I use a quick top stitch on my machine) and pop the lining in the bag, poking out all the corners.
This method gives the interior of the bag a clean look. However, it also weakens the overall strength of the bag. While I am not a fan of visible seams inside the bag, I don't feel they are noticeable enough to warrant the extra work this involves. Personally, I will be avoiding this alteration for the majority of my boxy bags.
Conclusion: Can be done... weakens the strength of the structure.... My opinion: NOT worth the extra effort.
Trial 3: Interior zipper pocket
I. Love. Pockets.
Big pockets, little pockets, flamboyant pockets, secret pockets.... I love pockets! They are just so dang useful.
I explained how to stitch a pocket on top of fabric in my Petal Pouch Alteration tutorial, but I really wanted to incorporate a zipper this time.
This step will take place in the Required phase of Kelsy's tutorial.
Please access Professor Pincushion's YouTube video for a video instruction of this method.
My panels are 13.5"x17", so I made my pocket 6"x6" using a 4" zipper (I had to cut my zipper). Cut your pocket to desired size and adhere interfacing (I used one layer of Pellon SF-101).
Below is a diagram explaining where to draw your pocket opening.
I decided to place my pocket in the center of the panel, 2.5" down from the top. Right sides together, pin your pocket to the interior fabric panel, making sure to place it in the desired location. You will now draw your cut lines on the back of the interfacing.
Draw the green, black and red lines on the back of your interfacing, following the measurements in the diagram.
First, sew along the black lines. Then, cut along the red lines.
Under stitch around the pocket opening, sewing the seam allowance to the pocket. Fold the top piece of the pocket down, and sew, making sure to pull the pocket slit open slightly.
After under stitching, push the pocket piece through the hole. Press open.
With the right side of the interior lining facing up, place the zipper right side up on the back of the lining. You should be looking at the lining face up, with the zipper showing through the pocket hole. Top stitch around the perimeter of the hole, attaching the zipper in place.
Last step is closing the 3 sides of the pocket! Fold the bottom (larger) portion of the pocket up to the top, right sides together. Now sew along the 3 open sides.
And that's it! You can now continue with the pattern using the interior lining as normal.
This step does take a few extra steps, but it isn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. I highly suggest watching the YouTube tutorial by Professor Pincushion. She provides much more detailed steps than what I have highlighted here.
I use my Boxy Bags for storing sewing supplies when traveling, and this pocket is perfect for holding packs of needles and stick on thimbles. I also think it is a good update to the bag if you are planning on selling them. Because, again, WHO DOESN'T LOVE POCKETS?!
Conclusion: SUCCESS! But may take some more practice.
Sara | 26th Nov 21
I LOVE the Paris map fabric in the Trials 3 photo–what is the manufacturer?
Joanna | 22nd Feb 22
Jess, Your tutorial are fantastic, and this one – on youtube and here, extremely friendly – gonna try this one in the evening 🙂 I am your fan! See U on YT
Elizabeth | 5th Oct 22
The link to the original tutorial is no longer valid. I used the Wayback Machine to get a link that works https://web.archive.org/web/20190110180732/http://www.kelbysews.com/2014/03/boxy-bag-tutorial.html
Feel free to use this to replace the link that’s there.