You may already know that I LOVE fabric and you may or may not know that I’ve sort of got a thing for fat quarters. Remember my post on 25 Things to do with Fat Quarters?
Now, this project is a perfect fit for me. We just finished the Learn to Sew series for kids and teens and this project will be perfect for kids and teens. Or anyone really. I’m calling it my Mini Book Tote. It’s similar to my most popular project ever, the messenger bag, but in small form:
It’s made to fit small books (you can adjust the sizing as needed). I actually made this one to be a scripture case-it fits a set of scriptures perfectly. But you can use it for anything!
CRAZY LITTLE PROJECTS TV
Mini Book Tote Bag Tutorial:
Supplies Needed:
2 Fat Quarters: 1 for the outside, 1 for the inside {If you pick a directional fabric though, you are going to need one more fat quarter in that fabric}
Fusible Fleece Interfacing
Instructions:
Cut out your pieces. You need to cut these pieces out of the main fabric, the coordinating fabric and the fusible fleece interfacing.
Here are the measurements I used:
- 2 pieces that are 7″ x 9″
- 2 pieces that are 4 1/4″ x 7 1/2″
- 1 piece that is 4 1/4″ x 9 1/2″
- 2 pieces that are 2 1/2″ x 11″
If you want to adjust this bag to fit a different size book simply measure the book and change the measurements from there. My book measurement was about 6″ x 8″ and was 4″ deep, so I used 7″ x 9″ with 4 1/4″ as my cutting guide. So adjust yours depending on your sizing.
Here’s a layout that will allow you to cut all the pieces from a fat quarter. You can see that this isn’t going to work with directional fabric-that one strap piece up at the top is going the wrong way. So, if you have directional fabric you’ll need one more fat quarter:
One you have all of your pieces cut, iron the fusible fleece interfacing to the backs of your main pieces
Now, beginning with your main pieces let’s assemble the bag.
First, attach the two 4 1/4″ x 7 1/2″ pieces to the 7 inch sides of your main piece with right sides together. Then get your 4 1/4″ x 9 1/2″ piece and attach it to the bottom of your main piece, again with right sides together.
Do this with both of your main pieces so that you form a little box:
Now sew the side and bottom pieces together at the corners. (See above-in the bottom left corner of this picture I have sewed those two pieces together.
Next sew a straight seam in 6 places-one down each of the short sides and one across each of the bottom sides.
This will assemble the rest of your bag. The trickiest place will be at the corners. Make sure you are sewing just through the 2 layers of fabric that you want to and then catch the corner in it at the end of the seam. Your corners should look like this when you are done:
Turn it all right side out and you should have a nice bag formed. Check to make sure there are no holes or anything.
Then do the exact same thing with your inner pieces.
Now you need to make some straps. Take your long 11″ pieces and place them with right sides together and sew up to the long sides leaving either end open:
Then turn them right side out and press them flat. Then top stitch them on each of the long sides. (The top stitching isn’t shown in this picture.)
Time to put it all together.
With your outside piece INSIDE OUT and your inner piece RIGHT SIDE OUT, put the inner piece down into the outside piece. Match up all the corners and everything and pin them all in place.
Stick your straps down inside the bag with the ends sticking out (double check to make sure you don’t get them twisted up and that you have them facing the way you want them to:
Now sew all the way around the top leaving an opening between 1 of the handles:
Snip off the extra ends from the straps:
Turn everything right side out and push the inside down into the outside and press it all in place. Then top stitch around the top-closing the opening and making it look all pretty.
And you are done my friends.
Are you LDS? I am thinking this could be a perfect Young Women’s activity-sew a scripture case! It’s easy enough that the girls could do it and then they’ve got something handy to carry at church!
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Esta hermosa me encantó, el color que usa es muy bonito, gracias por compartir. Saludos.
This beautiful I loved the color used is very nice, thanks for sharing. Greetings.
Cute bag. I like the way it is lined with the fleece to make it both soft, yet strong and durable. And any pattern you can make from a fat quarter is a winner with me. I pinned !
❤This! My daughter just turned 8 and I’ve been wanting to make her a scripture case. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
I can’t find scripture bags for my boys that are durable but don’t cost a fortune. This looks perfect! Do you think there is room for an interior pocket?
Oh definitely!
Thank you! I’ll give it a try!
I was in a small crafty mood yesterday and made one of these bags for my daughter. It came out so cute. Thanks!!
I absolutely love your blog! I have done a couple of the sewing patterns. I just printed out this bag to make for my daughter to carry her ballet shoes to her ballet class. She is going to love it. When I print from your site, it prints all comments below. Is there a way to add a link at top that says “print” and it goes into a print friendly format that doesn’t print out all comments? Just something to think about. Keep up all the hard work of running this blog. I love it!!!
Hmmm, I’ll have to look into that. Not sure how to do it.
Lauren,
You can go to the website http://www.printfriendly.com and tweak any webpage for printing. It can get a little tedious, because you basically go through the page and delete sections of what you don’t want printed, but it’s free and no registration is required. The other upside is you’re customizing the page for yourself, so if you don’t need a certain picture printed, you can take that out and save some ink. Hope that helps!
This link worked perfectly!
Amber, I’m really excited to make this bag. :) The pattern looks fun and the instructions seem easy to follow. I’m going to have my grandma help me just in case. ;) Thanks for posting!
Glad to hear
Just change the page range you are printing. Ex. for me for this one instead of 1-88 with comments I printed 2-14
With the side and bottom pieces being 1/2 inch longer than the front and back pieces do I line the pieces up at the top leaving the extra 1/2 inch on the bottom to sew it into a box?
Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial! I modified it a bit to fit my Bible, and it’s perfect!
I allow for a little extra just in case and then snip it off if needed. Does that make sense?
It makes sense. I actually made one and did snip off the extra. I was having trouble with a second one so I thought I would ask. Thanks!
I’ve made a couple of these now as presents they are super cute thank you so much for the tutorial xxx
Hello, I have a question. The tutorial only shows the outer fabric and the fusible fleece, but in the actual photo, there is another layer (the inner layer of fabric)…it’s not mentioned in the tutorial? I am having a hard time putting this together because I don’t know how to integrate the inner lining fabric into the bag. Can you help? Thanks.
It is mentioned but just one line: Then do the exact same thing with your inner pieces. Assemble them the same way.
I just finished this bag and it seems kind of flimsy, are you supposed to put fleece on the inner fabric too? It may be that I chose a light weight fabric? Overall this is a good tutorial and it’s a great little bag. Thanks!
I just do one layer of the fleece but I guess you could do more?
Thank you so much for the tutorial! I’m making a few of these this week to use as gift bags for my “home spa” Christmas gifts!
Cute idea!!!
I absolutely adore the scripture bag. I am LDS and teach the CTR-4 children. I was wondering what to make them for Christmas and since none of them have the Book of Mormon I have purchased each one a copy and now have the perfect scripture bag to make for them. Thank you so very much.
Oh you are a good Primary teacher!! What a fun idea!!!!
hey. I was doing this tutorial and got stumped because you seemed to have left out the 7×9 instructions and when and how to do the coordinating fabric. Please help!
Sorry to confuse you. When I refer to the main pieces that means the 7 x 9 inch pieces. After you assemble the outside there’s a line in the instructions telling you to then so the exact same thing with the inner pieces. Then you will pit it all together.
I do not sew much at all, so this may be a simple thing, but I can’t quite figure it out. Maybe when I start to actually make the bag, it will become clear, but I am not sure. How do you get the bag right side out again? I see how you put the outside wrong side out and the inside just inside it, but then how do you turn it right side out? Does this have something to do with the place you don’t sew completely? Please help.
Yes, you will pull the inside out through the little opening. It will probably make better sense when the fabric is in your hands and you are doing it.
Yes, it did. It was just in the abstract that it was hard to imagine. Thanks. I made them for Christmas for my kids and they loved them.
Could I add a clasp or something to hold the bag closed? And How long do you think straps would be for a cross-body or purse version of this bag?
Yes, I think that could be great. I usually do around 40 inches or so for a cross body strap.
What is the seem allowance?
1/2″ or so
What is the seam allowance?
1/2″ or so
What are the seam allowances?
I am so bad…I never worry about them. The side of my presser foot is what I use.
Thank you for saying that! That’s what I use and wasn’t sure if it was ok!
thanks for sharing. Just a question. Is it possible to make bigger versions? I am planning as a yws project to make these cute bags for our new beginnings. I would like to make a bigger version for the leaders??
sorry just read the whole blog properly. Thank you.
Definitely-just size it up or maybe try the messenger bag or something?
Will be trying this out soon, great, easy to understand tutorial! Just waiting to get my Bernina off lay-by
Add another Christmas Project to the list! Pinning Now!
Cute tote.
I love sewing, it’s a fun and relaxing way to create something for (my daughter mostly) someone that they can use and enjoy for a long time!
I like the feeling of accomplishment after finishing a sewing project.
Love being able to say “I made this!”
I love being able to tell someone, “I made this”. You feel a great sense of accomplishment.
My list of super cute, fun projects keeps getting longer, and that’s a good thing!
I’m making this next!
I learned to sew late, and never thought I would. I am surprised by how much I love it… the most fun is making something to give away to someone else!
Great project for a librarian like me!
I love the freedom sewing gives me to make things the way i want them.
Love this bag. Love being able to be creative with material!
Sewing is just my favorite hobby. I love seeing something that I’m making come together, bit by bit. I think I like the planning and sewing more than seeing it finished. Because that means I’m done!
What I love the best about sewing is seeing my kids’ faces when i make them something new!
I love that I get to creat great things and not buy them:)
I am definitly making this bag!! Love it!!
I love the feeling of self-reliance that comes with sewing. I may not be able to find a completely modest article of clothing off the rack, but with the skills I’m gaining I can alter it to be modest. And I *love* that.
I love making things that nobody else has, something totally unique.
I love that I can say “I made that” when I’m done.
Next project!!
It’s a creative outlet for me. I enjoy finding cute fabrics and putting them together
Your blog has inspired me so Much! I love it!!
I just started sewing again after 20 years. I am finding I love it. There is something about creating that is so therapeutic. It makes me a happier mom plus I can make cute things for my little girl.
I love the satisfaction of making a quality item that I or someone else will enjoy using. I like making gifts for people. Sewing is a great way for me to get my creative juices flowing, too. I have gotten back into other crafts that I enjoyed previously now that I have begun sewing.
I love it!
I love to know that I am creating something unique and special even if it has a flaw or two
Sewing makes me feel accomplished,like I did something important. I always love seeing the finished product even if it’s not the best.
I love the satisfaction of knowing I created something from complete scratch, and it looks and feels good! It’s a sense of accomplishment. And there’s never an end to the learning either.
I feel very proud of myself when I sew something that my grandchildren love, it feels great to see how happy they are when they I have made them something to wear.
I love seeing people use the things I make.
I love that you can give more personal gifts when you put in the effort to sew them. Plus, you feel a sense of pride when you wear/use the things you make!
What I love about sewing is having the control over everything that goes into the project, and the feeling of success when it all comes together into a wonderful handmade object.
going to figure out how to add a flab or zipper and make it into a purse for little bits
I love seeing my sons snuggle up with the blankies that I sew for them :)
I love the me time sewing offers
Sewing gives me some much needed me time…and it can make practical things so I still feel productive…not to mention the adorable fabrics and creativity!
Cute bag. Will have to make one for my little on!
Always need a good book bag! Thank you for the tut!
I love that you make it fun & look easy & have lots of pictures!!! :)
Cute bag!
Pretty tote. Made one and it’s wonderful
I love the finished project, looking at it and knowing that I made it!
I love the feeling of satisfaction that sewing gives to me.
The ability to make cute clothes for my grand babies
I have bookmarked this post – I love making these cute little tote bags
Love being able to make things for my kids and friends that they love.
I love the idea of having a tote for my books!
I enjoy the fact that I can make things for myself and others that are unique and handmade. It’s a great creative outlet!
I love the sense of accomplishment and knowing that I made something special and one of a kind for each of my grandchildren.
I love that it’s a challenge for me which is almost my weakness having teach myself.
I do love chevrons!
I love how sewing is just for me at my house. I can just sit down after everyone goes to sleep and create something. Yes, it’s frustrating because I’m not great at it yet, but I get better each time!
Favorite thing about sewing, is seeing the look on someone’s face when they receive a gift that has been homemade for them! Second is when someone says, I can’t believe you made it!!
It’s my me time. I love to create and love that aha moment when something comes together.
My fave project so far has been a infant car seat blanket for winter for my baby girl
I love it when a project turns out better than you expected. The fabrics look better after than before, just a nice little surprise once you are done.
I am just learning to sew, but clicking through your website makes me want to know everything about it now!
I’m new to sewing but have used your site as a guide in learning how to sew. Thank you!
I love the accomplishment I feel when i have made something for myself or someone else.
I love picking out new fabric, it’s my favorite part of sewing :)
I love making something useful when I sew, even if I could more easily buy it.
Surprisingly enough, it is so relaxing for me. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment after finishing a project.
I love sewing for other people and it makes my kids so excited!
I love sewing b/c it’s a great feeling to make something useful and one of a kind-depending on your fabric selection.
I started to teach myself to sew about a year ago. The first thing I ever did was a hooded towel and I am hooked! Sewing is relaxing for me and ohhhhh so rewarding!
So cute for a little girl!
I’m usually not very good with my hands, but my head loves the creative, colourful side to everything. Sewing is the first thing I tried where I’ve actually gotten results that are decent and I’m willing to show off. It makes me feel great to know I can finally accomplish something and have a product that works at the end of it all!
I love how sewing because it can be very challenging, I love trying new teqhniques and showing off something that I made.
I love creating things and giving them away. I have such fun making clothes, bags and quilts. I started making cloth toys for my grand kids which is so fun.
I love the sense of accomplishment you get after making something
Can’t wait to make this!
Too cute!
Every semester my club gets new shirts and I love being able to alter mine so it still looks like evryone else’s but with a twist. My friends get a kick out of it!
I like being able to sew things and give them as handmade gifts!
I love making things for people–not a ton of people that I know can sew, so even tho’ my skills are not professional, people are so happy and pleased to get a home-sewn gift!
This would be great for a library book bag for those little kiddo’s!
I live the finished project and knowing I did it myself
Ohh, I love making bags!
I love being able to sew something special and unique for friends and family.
I love seeing the outcome. I sew everyday.
I love everything about sewing. I especially love the ability to make last minute changes and additions that make a project more personal and original. I also love getting better with every project.
Time to go and buy some fusible fleece! This is another project to try out….One for me, and for each of my daughters….Matching? Coordinating? Contrasting? So many possibilities!
I am learning to sew. So this blog is wonderful. I am learning a lot of new techniques.
To be honest, most of the time sewing is kind of scary to me. I quilt. However, with great tutorials like yours I am beginning to sew and love sewing projects that I can give away:) I feel a sense of accomplishment.
Love putting fabrics together and enjoy giving something I made as a gift
My favorite part of sewing is finishing a project!
My favorite is gifting a finished project
I love everything about sewing! There’s just something about taking a beautiful piece of fabric and turning it into something amazing.
I love picking out fabric, and the sense of accomplishment when I finish a project.
It just makes me feel so good to see what I can make with my own hands, especially when I’m sewing for my family!
One of my favorite things about sewing is seeing the end result. I get extremely proud of the good outcomes and always try to learn something from my mistakes.
Sewing is like therapy. It is so relaxing. It’s also rewarding to finish a sewing project, even if it’s not perfect.
Sewing relieves my stress. The bright colors make me happy, and I especially like that I can set a goal, sit down and do some sewing, and create that finished project. And look back in awe and be able to say “I made that”!
sewing something seems more permanent to me. I love crafting, but sewing is not just crafting but also engineering. I love the “science” of it. I also like to make things from scraps- it makes me feel happy to use what would otherwise be trash to make something gift worthy. :)
Love all the many colored material coming together to make something so unique to give to someone you love!!
Doing for others, or maybe giving to others!
Purple is my fave colour
I LOVE HANDMADE ! Lots of love goes into handmade :)
I love picking out fabric and quilting!!
I love, love, love a project that stays done and the joy it brings to the recipient.
Making handmade items for my daughter.
I LOVE being able to say, “I made this”!! Again, AWESOME way to host a giveaway!!
I love the feeling of accomplishment from finishing a project! And it’s always fun to see it being used too. :-)
I love picking a project, fabric, then the feeling of accomplishment when it is all finished. I also love learning new techniques and really challenging myself.
I love the satisfaction of being able to make something myself! And also being able to personalize what I make to give to friends/family as gifts.
I’ve always wanted to try making a bag. This cute tote would be perfect!
I love being able to be creative and making gifts for friends.
Sewing, along with most crafting I do, is meditative. I enter a zen-like mode, all energy, all attention, is on my project. Its ridiculously calming.
I love the sense of accomplishment when a project is finished. Especially when it’s clothing for my granddaughter…seeing her wear something I made is a great feeling!
I love making things to make my boys and my niece happy… Especially when it is just what they’ve been wanting in the perfect fabric.
Another one for the list!
I love, love, love making something that someone else can wear or use. I have always loved crafting but sewing is just different for me.
I love sewing because it is creative, relaxing and fun!
I love to see what I can create. It always makes me smile to look at a finished product and think “I made that”.
I love creating new things that are one of a kind!
I love the look on my grand kids faces when I make something for them!
I love sewing because no matter how my project turns out I’m still proud of the fact that I did it. That I never quit and I finished it!
I love making new interesting quilts for family and friends
I love sewing because it makes my kids and I feel proud to create things ourselves.
I find sewing to be really relaxing!
I just love the process of making something beautiful! It’s so fun to see what comes out of fabric and some thread!
i love everything about sewing except hand sewing.
i like the satisfaction of knowing that “I made this for…”
my next learning as i sew project is a roman shade for my happy room.
I love accomplishing something I love
I love being able to see everything come together that makes a wonderful creation. So much better than buying it.
I love to sew! It’s a stress reliever and it’s satisfying when I complete something all by myself.
I love sewing because I can make things exactly how I want them and it is so relaxing.
I love seeing my family’s reaction to something that I’ve sewn.
Making things for my family
Thanks for all the easy to follow tuts. Makes it fun to sew these projects.
I love that I can create things for my loved ones that no one else has the exact copy of anywhere.
I love to create things and see how others love to receive them!
I love creating something useful…I like to say “yes, I did make that!”
I love that what I create STAYS that way! Unlike most things moms do all day!
I love making things for my kids
♥ on FB for you !!!
HELLO, I love just about everything about sewing, quilting, embroidery! Right now I’m trying very hard to learn to do “nice-looking Free Motion Quilting! Thanks for sharing!
I love that I can sew items to a specific size that I need!
I love the chance that sewing something gives me to feel like I have created something!
One thing I love about sewing is it’s one avenue for my creativity….I also love making stuff for my friends because they appreciate the time and effort I put in to create something for them…
I love creating beautiful things and making gifts for others.
I love being able to make unique gifts for people and sewing has been so fun to learn.
I love taking fabrics and making something my daughter can wear or use . And love making my friends stuff that they can use.
I love to making my family and friends special gifts! There is nothing like a homemade gift for those you love. They are my favorite gifts to receive as well!
I always told my girls “We can make that” and we did.
I love the sense of calm that sewing brings to my life. The end products are a great bonus as well!
I just love creating things! I love patterns and colors and knowing that I made something that is useful and looks good with my own two hands.
Love your blog…very user friendly especially for a newbie like myself. Great job Amber!
I love fat quarters too!
So sweet. This has made it to next on my list.
I love sewing because I am not super creative but I can follow a pattern and make people think I am :)
I love having something creative to do and the joy of completion when you finally finish.
The satisfaction of creating it myself, and it’s always cuter than store-bought!
Sewing is my “getaway” … helps me relax and destress
I love sewing because it makes me happy! I just find it so much fun!
The finish product
I love sewing because it allows me to create beautiful things for my friends and family.
Sewing give you the opportunity to create something that is all yours and to pick how to personalize it. It also makes me feel closer my great grandmother who sewed everything.
I wasn’t sure that I’d like sewing when I first started, but it turns out that I do! It gives you a great sense of accomplishment to make something homemade that you can tailor to your exact wants as opposed to buying a more generic version at the store.
Sewing gives me a creative outlet in my structured life
I often sew bags but sometimes struggle with the details, definitely going to try this
Great, versatile bag. I’ll be trying this one!
Cute tote bag and love the purple chevron fabric.
I love creating something tangible. And I love being able to share it and teach it to my 6-year-old daughter
I love learning to sew because it allows me to create beautiful, useful items that are uniquely “me”.
I love how relaxing sewing can be.
There is a certain sense of satisfaction that you’ve created something yourself with sewing. Thank you for the giveaway.
I was just telling my husband that I love the accomplishment that is creating something unique and beautiful in addition to clothes that actually fit!
I love to make fun things to give as gifts!
I love the feeling I get when I first press the new fabric and I can image what it will be, some days I just don’t know!
I love making circle skirts for the little girl who loves to twirl!
it is homemade
My mom and I make projects together! So I love getting to bond with her through sewing!
I love getting to play with so many beautiful fabrics!
I love the satisfaction of making something out of nothing- even better when it’s perfect! {or close to!}
As a stay at home mom it’s nice to be able to have an outlet to be creative. Thanks!
Thanks for all of the great tutorials!
sewing is innovative constructive and helps repair almost anything
I am new to sewing, and love making stuff, but I think my real addiction is all the gorgeous fabric!
I love being able to hand someone a gift I put my time and love into so it has sentimental value to it. I’ve made things for family, holidays and baby showers and love making more and more! Thanks for your ideas and tutorials!
What I love most is the pride I get from making something completely by myself. :) It feels awesome!!
Because I like being able to turn a bundle of fabric into something useful/cool/cute.
When I see totes, I think of toys coming along. I have two little girls that need toy totes. Very nice.
What an excellent gift idea. I have a friend this would be perfect for – she’s bag crazy and could carry her Bible in it.
The look on someone,s face when they see wht I have created for them.
The thing I love about sewing is all the creativity it gives me. It’s why i’m trying to set up my small business in it, it’s just… I can’t describe it, i’m just free when I’m sewing ^^
I love the look of the homemade items I make
The mini book bag. I love the small size as well as your choice of fabric.
I like being creative. taking random scraps and squares of fabric and turning them into something I can use is just so satisfying. I made produce bags for farmer’s market goodies. Not just because they were cute, but because they were also better than plasic or paper bags. A little more green!!!
I love DIY-ing and the patterns, colors, WIDE range of DIY capability with sewing….I love it. I also love making things for my kids, friends, family…sewing is very therapeutic (sorry if I spelled that wrong!) for me!
One thing I love about sewing is the sense of accomplishment. Things go from a mess of backwards fabric with pins and threads everywhere to a lovely handmade item. I love the transformation!
I love creating things! You start with a flat piece of two-dimensional fabric, and you end up with something that’s (hopefully) functional and adorable. That you MADE! And the fact that my husband is always really impressed is nice, too. :)
I love your blog, you are so creative
It de-stresses me!
I love sewing because its taking some thing and making it your own. Your making something if your following a pattern that was made generic but once you sew it that version of the pattern is yours. You put the little touches to make it yours.
Thank you for the tutorial… I am making two of these today for my daughter and her best friend… they are going to be used as sewing bags so they can keep their yo yo making supplies all together. And then I think I am going to make one for me for my bible… so awesome… thank you .. and you have a great site here.. keep up the great work.
I think I am just too new to sewing b/c where does the inner fabric pieces come into play? I keep seeing “main fabric” but I may just not be reading it correctly to find where you attach the inner pieces.
Scratch that… I put my glasses on and re-read it again… Oh dear. =)
I have made two of these little bags as rather late Christmas presents and packed them with little gifts. They are perfect.
I marked up the seams with a quarter inch allowance and this helped me with the three dimensional corners and I would recommend this to anyone spacially challenged!
Thank you. A lovely share.
Greetings from the UK
I love this pattern and tutorial. I used it to make my little girl a bag. It was great and easy to follow. You can see my bag here if you like : http://60degreesofinspiration.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/a-vision-in-purple.html
Thank You
Joanne
Hello, love the idea of the book bag and would love to make it. I’m not very good at following instructions in books, I prefer to watch someone make it so that I can see what is happening. I was wondering if you might have a video on youtube that I can watch? I’m a beginner sewer and am a little nervous.
I should!
Great bag. I have made about five so far. I added a pocket on the inside for pens and highlighters. I also include a coordinating bible bookmark. I make mine about 1 inch longer and taller and 2 inches wider. This allows for space to put a prayer journal or devotional.
I was wondering if you have made scripture bags for boys/ men. Perhaps messenger bag style? I would love to see your tutorial on those.
Thank you for your post. I have been making these for others and they love them
I like that idea! I will add it to my list.
Thank you for this pattern. I have used it with different measurements to make a shopping bag for my 2 year old son. It has diggers outside with a rainbow inside and is small enough for him to carry without hitting the floor or being too heavy… No more “me do it” tantrums! Hooray! I’m a fairly new sewer and your tutorial was easy to follow, although I was glad of the photo when it came to adding the handles so I could see they should be between the fabric layers. 😊
Great use for it!
This was the very first bag I ever made and I love it! Thanks for the easy instructions.
Would the finished tote have enough room for a HARD cover triple combo AND a hard cover book of Mormon together? Our son needs something and this looks perfect because the store bought scripture cases don’t fit those two books together very well because of the extra thickness from the hard cover. THANKS!!! So excited to make this work.
I made it with soft back ones so I might add like 1/2 an inch or something
I like to give unique baby presents that everyone else isn’t giving. I loved this because I bought books for baby’s first library and this works great. I am adding several books and then some other baby items like a hat and some other little goodies. Thank you for sharing.
Such a fun idea!
Hello! I’ve done a few bag projects and I LOVE your site, but I’m pretty much a newbie at sewing. However, I’d like to make this as a Bible bag for my mom for Christmas — but I was wondering if I could mark and sew diagonal quilting lines on the outside fabric + fusible fleece for more of a quilted look. I haven’t tried that before, but I do love that look. Should I cut the fabric and fleece a bit bigger to allow for shrinkage as I do those quilting lines? If so, how much extra? I bought a yard of the fabric on clearance, so I’m not working with fat quarters and can cut larger if necessary. High loft or low loft fusible fleece?
Also, if I want to do a pen pocket on the inside, how and when should I add that? Should the pocket have fleece as well?
I don’t know a ton about quilting but I think that should work? I wouldn’t think you need to add much for shrinkage, maybe just a tiny bit. Either kind of fusible fleece should work. You can do a pocket without fleece. Look at my messenger bag pattern and I would do the pocket similar to that.
Thank you for your tutorial and your answers! Quilting the fabric and making the pocket both worked VERY well!! So excited to give this to my Mom for Christmas!
We had a new family join our ward that our Primary wanted to fellowship. This simple scripture bag was the perfect way to meet that need. Thank you for sharing your creativity!
Thank you so so much Amber. I had tried to make a “grocery” bag by copying one of my existing cloth bags, without good results. I just completed a larger version of your book bag and I am thrilled with how well it came out. Thank you so much. All the time it must have taken you to take the photos and compose the instructions !! The time you have spent helping us has not gone unappreciated. Sincerely and gratefully, Madeleine
I had my suspicions that you were LDS after reading a few of your patterns, and this, thankfully, confirmed them. So nice to know there are mormon moms that have time to craft as well as take care of kids. My own mom has five kids and is always looking for a bit of time to sew in. Any secrets to making time to craft you could share?
Ha! Here I am answering a month and a half later, so clearly I don’t always manage to make time for everything. :) I am just a busy person who doesn’t sit still a lot, so I fit things in!
This project seems really easy but the lining part has me so lost and frustrated. There is literally one sentence about it and no pictures. I have no idea what to do besides just not have an inner pattern.
If you’re talking about the fusible fleece, you just iron it on to the back of your main fabric and then sew like normal.
What kind of fabric did you use?
This was a Riley Blake from years ago.
Do you think the bag will still work well without the fusible fleece?
Yes, it just won’t hold it’s shape as well.
I love this pattern. The only idea that I think that would make it better is to include the pattern for it.
Hi, I keep coming back to this great pattern – the book bag. I made it a little bit larger and I carry one or two of them in my car all the time, for miscellaneous shopping. I have another one that I carry daily as my “purse”. It holds everything. Thank you so much. Madeleine
Hi, I forgot to mention, the bag that I carry daily, I made a long single strap to easily carry it on my shoulder.
Love it!