Quilted Little Book Bag

I started this project many months ago. The pattern is The Dainty Tote Bag, a free tutorial by Three Owls Handmade. It has a few sewing elements that I've been wanting to try my hand on... specifically quilting and binding raw edges on a bag. I started quilting one of the side panels using criss cross diagonal lines, hated the result and abandoned the project.

Maybe it was the new year, I don't know, but with all the Christmas gifts and other sewing projects done and out of the way, I made a resolution to finish all that I had started but never finished. I have about half a dozen of these in my TBF (to be finished) bin :)

Hence, the Dainty Tote Bag was revisited. After staring at the main body piece for a week, hoping for some inspiration, it finally came... Instead of geometric lines, why not use uneven, wavy lines in the same thread colors as the patterns on the fabric!

Bag panel quilted with uneven wavy lines

I loved it. Finally, progress!

I used the same owl pattern fabric as my first bag sewing project. I also used my own measurements in order to fully utilize the fabric scraps that were left from the previous project.

My finished bag measures 14" (width) x 9.5" (height) x 4.5" (depth), just nice for a few books and some extras.

My quilted Dainty Tote Bag

The tutorial was well written with lots of pictures. I did have some trouble when it came to sewing the side panels to the main panel. The layers were very thick, as each piece consisted of a layer of batting between two layers of canvas, and had to be sewn at a curve! I ended up hand basting before sewing the pieces together. That helped a lot.

Side view/panel of the bag

The binding was also a little intimidating. I tried machine sewing the whole thing which didn't work out too well.. couldn't get that half inch bulk to glide smoothly under the sewing machine, and the top stitching came out horribly. So I ditched the top stitching and finished the binding by hand with the ladder stitch.

Hand stitching was slow and tedious, but in the end, I was surprised by how neat and tidy it turned out. There is nothing wrong with hand stitching. Sometimes you just can't get something done under the machine needle. Other times, hand stitching gives you more control and makes a seemingly impossible task possible. It certainly is one way to finish binding seams/raw edges. I guess sometimes, a little patience goes a long way.

Hand-stitched binding produces a neat finish for the bound raw edges

The bag is secured with a top zipper closure.

Top zipper closure

And has two open pockets inside.

Bag interior

I am very happy with how the bag turned out. It's cute, durable and washable. My daughter uses it as her "Little Book Bag" (小书包) for those special school days when only a few books are required. And I am definitely glad that I saw it through. One down , a few more (in my TBF bin) to go :)

My handmade Little Book Bag

Rhythmic Gymnastics Apparatus Bag

This bag is my best work yet.. or rather, I am most proud of it :) It is the most functional bag that I've sewn so far.

I made it for my daughter to carry all her rhythmic gymnastics apparatus to her training classes. So it's our little Rhythmic Gymnastics Apparatus / Equipment Bag.

My DIY rhythmic gymnastics apparatus bag

Actually, it's big... 14" (width) x 12.5" (height) x 8" (depth). The 14" x 8" wide base ensures the bag can sit without falling to its side. It also needed to be in this size in order to hold all the apparatus.

Exterior pocket... perfect for carrying half shoes

I incorporated a recessed zipper, with a bit of gap on each end. This is for the clubs and ribbon stick to stand up, instead of being thrown and squashed around inside the bag.

Recessed zipper

I like to use a large-teeth separating zipper (also called separating jacket zipper) for this type of bag. It's washable and durable, and during construction, you could take it apart and sew both sides separately, which makes the whole sewing process more manageable and less frustrating.

Large teeth separating zipper

My favourite part of the bag has to be the bag interior. It has one main center compartment, four smaller side compartments and two open pockets.

Bag interior... multiple compartments and pockets for carrying and storing apparatus

Ta daa.... gym ball, set of clubs, ribbon and stick, rope, water bottle, shoes...all PROPERLY ORGANIZED! :)

Properly organized rhythmic gymnastics apparatus in a bag

My daughter even keeps a notebook, a set of ankle weights and knee pads in it.

Our perfect rhythmic gymnastics apparatus bag!

Clubs, Ball and Hoop Bags

To complement the bag, I also made bags for some of the individual apparatus - one for the set of clubs, one for the gym ball, and a cover for the hoop.

Gym ball bag and clubs bag

Gym ball and its bag, clubs and its bag

Rhythmic gymnastics hoop and hoop cover

The bags were sewn using home decor cotton canvas fabrics that I bought from Kamdar, our local textile shop. These fabrics do make for a hard wearing bag.

The hoop cover is a stretchy foil lycra, also from Kamdar. It has lost a bit of its shine after several months of use but it is still lovely :)


All in all, it has been a challenging and immensely rewarding experience sewing these bags. Where I live, rhythmic gymnastics isn't yet a popular sport. Good quality apparatus are almost definitely imported and cost a bomb. It is important that they are stored and transported with care, to prevent damage. Along with the apparatus themselves, suitable storage bags are mostly also imported and just as costly. For me, it just makes sense to DIY and sew them myself. I could custom make each bag for size and fit, use my favourite fabrics/prints, incorporate features that I like, all for a fraction of the cost of a branded commercially available bag.

Bags Galore

I've been busy sewing bags for Christmas.

Buttercup Bag

First, there was the Buttercup Bag, a pattern by Made By Rae. I made some modifications by adding the top zipper closure, and attached D-rings to the strap... so that I could change the strap if I didn't like it.

I love the whimsical cats print on the fabric, and thought it suits the buttercup bag perfectly!

Buttercup bag... work in progress

My finished buttercup bag!

Trail Tote

Then, there was the Trail Tote (small version), a pattern by Noodlehead. Again, I added the top zipper closure, and 1-inch square-rings to the strap because I couldn't decide between sewing the strap myself or using store-bought webbing.

My trail tote... work in progress

Eventually, I went with store-bought cotton webbing. And I forgot to take pictures of the final finished product before gifting it away!

Lucky Cat Bag

I designed this one by myself, specifically for the lucky cat (招财猫) fabric in my stash. It has 4 pockets on the outside, 2 front and 2 back. As with the other two bags, it also has the top zipper closure.

My lucky cat bag

Kawaii 招财猫 fabric bag

For me, handbags like these must be adequately secured, either with a zipper or a prominent flap. Most free bag sewing patterns out there don't include top zipper closures. But maybe that's why they are free.. because it isn't easy! It took me some time to figure out the best way to construct the bags with the top zipper, and I had to sew some parts by hand because the bulk just couldn't go under the sewing machine!

Double-zippered Wristlets

I also made about half a dozen of these double-zippered wristlets. Unfortunately, in my haste to finish and gift-wrap them in time for Christmas, I forgot to take pictures :(

These two were the first "prototypes".



The fabrics were fat quarters and fat flats that I got from the sale at Spotlight. The finished size is approximately 8" x 5". I could make 2 wristlets out of a pair of FQ/FF (1 exterior fabric and 1 interior fabric).


These bags were all sewn in quilting weight cotton fabrics. Quilting cotton has to be adequately interfaced or the resulting bag will be too floppy and without structure. I have since, begun exploring heavier fabrics, such as canvas, drills and home decor fabrics, for sewing bags. So far, in terms of handling and construction, I prefer the heavier fabrics to quilting cotton. The former also produces sturdier, more hard-wearing bags. But it is harder to find heavy fabrics in cute, interesting prints.

Crochet / Amigurumi Pikachu & Pokéball

Jumping on the Pokémon Go craze bandwagon,  I made these amigurumi Pokémon toys :)

Amigurumi Pokémon toys

Crochet Pikachu and Pokéball

Pikachu is based on this amigurumi Pikachu pattern from Sabrina's Crochet. It makes a decent size - big enough as a toy (I can hold the body in my hand) and small enough for the work to be completed in a day or two. I followed the pattern for the head, body, limbs and ears, but crocheted the tail in the round instead of making 2 separate pieces and sewing them together, following the pattern just roughly. The other small details like eyes, cheeks, nose and mouth were made to fit. Love how it turned out :)

The Pokéball is basically a sphere. I used this Ideal Crochet Sphere that truly creates the perfect sphere! Mine is the 30-row ball that turned out a little smaller than a tennis ball. Perfect size for kids to grasp and throw at Pikachu, poor thing :)

Crochet Pikachu toy

Crochet Pikachu toy - back view

Pikachu and Pokéball

First Sewing Project - Tote with Welt Pocket and Recessed Zipper

I just finished my first sewing project - this Owl Tote.

Lined boxed-corner tote with recessed zipper

Not bad considering it was my first big sewing project, and that I'm new to machine sewing :)

The bag is basically a boxed-corner bag with lining. I added welt pockets and a recessed zipper just to make the work a little more interesting.

Interior welt pocket

Interior open pocket

Recessed zipper, with extended zipper on both ends for a wide opening

There are many tutorials out there on DIY bag making/sewing. These are the ones that I find particularly helpful in making this bag.


On Bag Making Process

ikatbag.com - I am so grateful for this wonderful site by LiEr, the author. She wrote a whole series on bag making! The series is great for understanding bag construction and how to approach sewing a bag by yourself. You can find it at The Bag Tutorials located at the side panel of the site and navigate from there. Or go straight to the Blog Archive of January 2013 when the first post in the series was written.


Sewing a Boxed-corner Tote with Lining and Zipper

I basically based my bag on this video tutorial by Debbie Shore. She shows the different pieces of a basic lined, boxed-corner tote and how they are sewn together. Very easy to follow.


Welt Pocket

How to add a zipper pocket to any purse pattern by So Sew Easy.
Simple instructions with helpful tips. I particularly like that it shows a few variations, all well explained.


Bag Straps 

Sew Perfect Fabric Bag Straps by Sewplicity - For simple and basic bag straps.

ikatbag.com has a full chapter on bag straps as well, with some more advanced techniques.


Recessed Zipper

How to sew a recessed zipper on a bag by So Sew Easy - Clear instructions and very easy to follow. There's a video tutorial as well. Debbie Shore's tote bag video tutorial includes sewing the recessed zipper but I find it quicker to refer to this one as it is only about creating the zipper panels and sewing them to the bag.


Zipper Tabs

My oh my... these tiny, seemingly easy pieces are the most finicky! I was finally satisfied with the ones made by following this tutorial from Sew4Home. I also took the time to hand-baste the whole thing before sewing - helped a lot!


Bag Bottom

I contemplated adding a bag bottom insert to strengthen the bottom but decided to go ahead without one (for now), because I didn't want to "waste" a piece of my very precious stiff interfacing. Bag interfacing is so expensive and so hard to come by here. But if I had, I was going to follow this tutorial by You SEW Girl which uses Peltex. Some other options would include using thin plastic crafting sheets (available at local craft stores), thin plastic cutting boards (i.e. available at Daiso), reuse/recycle bag bottoms from old bags. I figure I can always make a separate insertable/removable piece in the future, if the need arises. Anyway, we'll see how the bag holds up to wear and tear without one.

My Bag Pattern / Dimensions

Bag pattern / dimensions

My goal is to have a bag that is 15" wide, 12" tall and 4" deep, with straps that would enable the bag to be carried on the shoulder - about 22" long. Pockets and other dimensions are then worked out from these decisions.

I use 1/2" seam allowance on all pieces. The dimensions of the pieces below take this seam allowance into account.

Bag Exterior (front & back) : 
Exterior Fabric 20" x 15" (x 2 pieces)

Front Welt Pocket:
7" zipper
Lining Fabric 10" x 16"

Bag Interior (front & back):
The interior is divided into 2 sections - the main lining body and the top 1 inch that goes above the zipper panel. For aesthetic reasons, I use exterior fabric for the top 1 inch and lining fabric for the main body.

Exterior Fabric 20" x 2" (x 2 pieces)
Lining Fabric 20" x 14" (x 2 pieces)

Interior Front Open Pocket
To add aethestic interest, I use exterior fabric for the front side of the open pocket, and lining fabric for the inside portion. The exterior fabric is also cut a little longer than the lining fabric, so that it extends about 1/2" toward the inside of the pocket.

Exterior Fabric 9" x 8"
Lining Fabric 9" x 6"

Interior Back Welt Pocket
7" zipper
Lining Fabric 10" x 16"

Zipper Panel
19"/20" zipper
Exterior Fabric (top side of panel) 14" x 3" (x 2 pieces)
Lining Fabric (bottom side of panel) 14" x 3" (x 2 pieces)

Bag Straps
Exterior Fabric 4" x 22" (x 2 pieces)

Zipper Tabs
Exterior Fabric 4" x 2.5" (x 2 pieces)

For exterior fabric, I use home decor weight fabric, with thick fusible interfacing.

For lining, I use medium weight cotton fabric, with medium fusible interfacing.

After completing the outer bag and lining, trim off all seam allowances to 1/4" or less. There is quite a lot of bulk especially the part where the zipper panel is sewn to the bag lining.