What are the best free bag making patterns for a sewing beginner?

I get asked all the time which are the best free bag making patterns to make when you are just staring out in bag making.

It really is a matter of preference, many bag designers or content creators release free patterns these are usually aimed at beginners and are an excellent way to test if you like that bag designers style of bag making patterns, how they are written, the methods use to put the pattern together.

Below I have listed a few of my favourite pattern and designers that have free patterns that are definitely worth a look.

The Harlequin Punch - Crafted by Leanne

This a great first pattern, with some fantastic bag making techniques that you will use in future bag patterns such as how the zipper is inserted and great tutorials on the topstitching. Needing minimal hardware its a fab pattern to use up scraps of fabrics and can be made out of fat quarters. The pattern is a free pattern available in Leannes facebook group . I have a tutorial on my you tube channel which can be found here. Photo credit crafted by Leanne.

Sunshine Crossbody - Bagstock Designs

This a free pattern by Bagstock Patterns, this is one of my all time favourite patterns and I make this regularly still even years after first making it. I have a sewalong in my facebook group for this pattern.

The pattern can be found here and there are many great video tutorials for this bag pattern on you tube. Bagstock also do a wristlet version of this bag which is a great scrap buster and if you fancy trying your hand at a larger bag they also have the pelican tote which is a free pattern.

Miss Maggies Bag - Emmaline Bags.

This is such a simple and classic design bag, using bag making hardware to install the handles give the bag a real professional looking edge.

Emmaline bags have a few different free patterns which are well worth a look. The Miss Maggie bag pattern can be found here. Photo credit Emmaline Bags

The Ethel Tote - Swoon Patterns

Another fantastic pattern for anyone just learning to sew and wanting to test the waters with bag making, requiring minimal hardware just one magnetic snap, a small amount of fabric and interfacing, it really is a great starter pattern.

Swoon have quite a wide range of free patterns the Ethel Tote can be downloaded here and the rest of the Swoon free pattern collection can be found here. Photo credit Swoon Patterns/MrsH

The Clematis Wristlet - Blue Calla

Again needing very little hardware and a small amount of fabric this makes the perfect going out bag to fit your phone, money and night out essentials.

The pattern can be found here and a list of free blue calla patterns can be found here. Photo credit Blue Calla Designs

The Triad Strap Pack - Lavender and Twine

While not strictly a bag pattern I couldnt finish this post without including the triad strap pack by Lavender and Twine, Erica is one of my all time favourite bag pattern designers and her strap trio pattern is just great.

The link to this free resource can be found here. Photo credit Lavender and Twine.

I hope this post has been useful there are so many free patterns out, test out a few and you will find designers who pattern style you like. Feel free to share your makes in my facebook group.

See you in a while, Crocodile!!

Deb xxx