Bag Sewing Patterns: Felt Totes, Market Bags & Backpacks

Bag sewing patterns are a great way to create practical, handmade projects you can use every day. In this collection, you’ll find a mix of felt tote bags, fabric market bags, backpacks, and other DIY bag ideas that are perfect for beginners and experienced sewists alike.

Some of these bag sewing patterns are free tutorials you can try right away, while others are beautiful patterns from talented designers that you can purchase and make at home. Whether you want to sew a simple tote bag, a sturdy felt bag, or a stylish backpack, these bag sewing patterns offer inspiration and creative ideas for your next sewing project.

In this roundup, you’ll find tote bag patterns, market bag tutorials, backpack sewing patterns, and DIY felt bag ideas.

Free Felt Bag Patterns & Tutorials

collage with bag sewing patterns and text overlay 15 bag sewing patterns: 15 bag sewing patterns including felt tote bags, market bags and backpack sewing ideas

Whether you pick a project to sew with felt or fabric, these are bag patterns you will want to make.

For the projects, there are no pattern downloads. Just a how-to tutorial. If you are looking for patterns, skip to the next section.

Felt is such an easy fabric to sew and has a classic look. You can get colors to suit any time of year.

The ideas below are great if you are familiar with sewing and drafting your own patterns. These will give you more ideas, and you can see how each person made their felt tote bag.

Felt Craft Projects-Felt Tablet Cover liagriffith

Felt Tablet Cover (for this pattern, it is a free download with membership or available to purchase download @ lia griffith)

Felt totes can be made out of all felt fabric or a combination of felt and cotton. And even a combination of felt with leather. There are so many ways to create your own tote bags and embellish them. Add a felt flower, or put your spin on a pattern you try. It's totally fun to pick fabrics and felt to make them.

With the patterns below, you'll be able to start sewing fabric bags! Most of the patterns are PDF, instant downloadable patterns. There are patterns for beginning sewers, intermediate sewers, and up. Some come with video tutorials, too.

DIY Felt Craft Project Ideas | Felt Craft Projects | So many easy DIY felt craft - Sewing Patterns Market bags and handbags

Triangle Bag Pattern | Sew a Feedsack Bag | Flight Bag Backpack Pattern

These bag sewing patterns include tote bags, market bags, backpacks, purses, and everyday carry bags.

Felt Tote Bag & Purse Patterns

Felt Tote Bag Cat Purse Sewing Pattern:

By purchasing this listing, you can learn how to create a cute cat felt tote bag. Comes with cat pattern, materials list, and step-by-step tutorial instructions. Get the PDF Felt Tote Cat Sewing Pattern here.

Felt Tote Bag Simplicity Sewing Pattern:

Felt-washed handbags and accessories pattern. Embroidered appliqued felt washed purse pattern. Uncut. Get the Felt Handbags Pattern here.

Beginner Tote Bag Sewing Pattern:

Learn to sew a basic tote bag with this beginner-friendly sewing pattern. This PDF printable tutorial will teach even beginners to make a tote bag with step-by-step instructions and photos. The tote includes interior pockets and two handles. Get the Beginner Fabric Tote Bag Pattern.

Beginner Tote Bag Sewing Pattern:

Create your own tote bag with the Mercantile Tote pattern! The Mercantile Tote is a charming classic that is quick and easy to make. It features a canvas exterior, pockets inside and out, and opportunities to mix and match fabrics for a fun, unique bag.

Beginner Backpack Sewing Pattern & Lessons:

What is included with this pattern: Step-by-step expert instruction on making a professional-looking backpack. 6 HD video lessons you can access online anytime, anywhere. Detailed supplies list and downloadable PDF with pattern pieces ($16 value). Step-by-step expert instruction from designer Nicole Mallalieu. The ability to leave comments, ask questions, and interact with other students. Get it here: Beginner Backpack Sewing Pattern &Tutorial

Lark Mini Backpack Sewing Pattern:

Create your own backpack with the Lark Backpack pattern! 2 sizes to choose from + VIDEO tutorial. Included in the pattern are 2 sizes to choose from- regular and mini. Get the Lark Backpack Sewing Pattern.

Tips for Sewing Felt and Fabric Bags

Read Through the Pattern First

Before cutting fabric or sewing, read through the entire pattern. This helps you understand the construction steps and prevents mistakes while assembling the bag.

Gather All Materials and Supplies

Make sure you have all the required materials, tools, and notions before you begin. Having everything ready makes sewing smoother and prevents stopping mid-project to search for missing items.

Choose the Right Fabric

Different bags require different fabrics. Felt works well for structured bags, while cotton canvas or quilting cotton is often used for tote bags and market bags.

Use the Correct Needle

Heavier fabrics like felt, canvas, or denim often require a stronger sewing machine needle. Using the correct needle helps prevent skipped stitches and fabric damage.

Reinforce Stress Points

Areas like straps, corners, and bag openings experience more tension. Reinforcing these areas with backstitching or extra stitching helps your bag last longer.

Press Seams as You Sew

Pressing seams during construction helps the bag keep its shape and gives the finished project a more polished look.

FAQ About Sewing Bags

What fabric is best for sewing tote bags?
Cotton canvas, denim, and felt are popular

Tips For Using Bags

Don't use felt totes for groceries

You won't want to use these particular felt totes for carrying your groceries. That is, unless you line your felt tote. You'd never want any spills creating bacterial growth in the fabric. Grocery totes need to be washed often, especially when purchasing meat. That's just something to consider. But if you're heading to the farmers' market, they do come in handy. Just remember to clean them often per fabric washing instructions.