Simple Quilt Bag
Nicola Ritter, March 1, 2021
This large quilt bag is easy to make and is
big enough to hold one large quilt or two
single bed quilts, which is perfect for our
purposes.
If you have a different bag pattern that you
are used to then feel free to use it, just
make sure that the finished bag is at least
20” (51cm) across and 21” (53.5cm) tall.
Requirements
• Bag: Two rectangular pieces at least 23” × 20
1
2
” (58.5cm × 52cm) of quilting or
heavier fabric or 23” (58.5cm) of full width quilting fabric.
• Handles: Two pieces of 1” (2.5cm) wide strapping at least 20” (51cm) long or two
pieces of fabric 20” × 3
1
2
” (51cm × 9cm).
Seams
• Seams should be approximately
1
4
” (6mm) wide.
• The seams need to be sturdy with finished edges in case the fabric frays, so either use
an overlocker, sewing machine straight stitch plus overlock/overcast stitch, or a French
seam (Google it).
• Make sure you go backwards over any straight stitching at the beginning and end of
the seam to secure it.
• Overlock thread should be threaded back through the stitches to secure it.
Step 1: Simple Bag
If your fabric has a pattern, then make sure that both pieces are the same way up and with
the pattern pointing upwards.
Two separate pieces: Join the two pieces
(right sides together) along the two long
sides and the bottom using sturdy seams.
One long piece: Fold with right sides
together, matching the selvedges. Sew
along the selvedge edge with a straight
stitch and press open. Arrange the tube so
that the seam is in the middle of two folded
edges and then run a sturdy seam along
the bottom.
Step 2: Bag Base
Open out the bag at one of the bottom
corners, so that the bottom seam runs
down the middle.
If you started with one piece of fabric then
the bottom seam should be running along
the side fold. If you started with two pieces
of fabric then the bottom seam should
be lying on top of the side seam with the
seams pressed in opposite directions so
that they ’nest’ together.
Draw a line that runs perpendicular to the
seam with about 2” (5cm) each side of the
seam. Stitch along this line. Do not trim
the ‘ears’ off, as the add to the strength of
the bag.
Repeat with the other corner. This gives the
bag three dimensions.
Step 3: Handles
There are lots of methods for making handles. If you have one you prefer, just use it!
1. Cut two pieces of fabric 20” × 3
1
2
” (51cm × 9cm).
2. On the wrong side, draw a line down the length of the fabric, about 1” (2.5cm) from one
long edge. Then draw a second line about 1/2” (1.25cm) from the first line.
3. Fold the fabric so that each of the raw edges lies along the line closest to it. Press.
4. Fold the handle length-wise so that the edge with the narrow fold lies just short of the
other edge. Press.
5. Stitch close to the edge of the visible fold, and then along the other edge to match.
6. Repeat for the second handle.
Step 4: Finishing the Top of the Bag
Create a hem at the top opening of the
bag, with the inner fold about
1
2
” (1.2cm)
and the outer fold about 1” (2.5cm).
Press and pin.
Take one handle and slide the ends un-
der the fold, about 6” (15cm) apart and
equidistant from the centre of the bag. If
there is a wrong side to the handle then
it should face downwards. Repeat for the
other handle.
Run a straight stitch around the top, a
small distance from the bottom fold. Then
a second row just below the top of the bag.
Fold the straps upwards, and sew a rect-
angle to secure each end in that position.
Start along the top and end along the top
with a second row.
Turn right side out, and you’re done!
