11 Free Bags For Beginners—Quick & Easy Sewing Patterns To Unlock New Skills!
Yes, you can make super cute bags—even if you’re a total beginner! This handpicked list of bag patterns brings together the 5 things people want the most:
- Stylish bags
- Easy to sew
- Quick projects
- Teachable techniques to level up your sewing skills
- Totally FREE!
These are the top 11 best free bags for beginners as decided by some of the best designers in the Sew Modern Bags marketplace.
And the best part? They’re all 100% FREE!
Become a better bag maker with these trendy & functional patterns now.
Sneak Peek: Best Features Of Each Free Bag Pattern
Here’s why beginners love these free bag patterns…
- Easiest For Those Who Haven’t Made A Bag Before: Jaedyn Messenger Bag
- Cutest Minimalist Design: Iris Mini Crossbody Bag
- Easiest Zipper Pouch You’ll Ever Make: Take Note Zipper Pouch
- Best Free Pouch Pattern For Beginners: 3 Way Pouch
- Quickest Free Pattern To Sew: Japanese Knot Bag
- Best For Teaching Basic Bag Making Techniques: Lou Lou Bag
- Most Detailed Tutorial For Learning Belts & Straps: Buckle Strap Connector Tutorial
- Unique Bow Design: Nicky Bag
- Best Kids Design: Mini Crossbody Bag
- No Zippers For A Fast & Easy Sew: Simple Clutch Bag
- Requires Minimal Hardware: Makayla Bag
Easiest For Those Who Haven’t Made A Bag Before
Jaedyn Messenger Bag
This bag is where fashion meets impressive functionality—all while being extremely easy to make! There is NO zipper, making it a very easy pattern for anyone who has never made a bag before.
You can whip up this easy bag without breaking a sweat. It’s elegant and roomy and perfect for all-occasions.
Features:
- Front divided pockets
- 6 card slot inside
- Cell phone pocket inside
- 1 additional small pocket inside
- Adjustable strap
- Bring your tablet with you!
Sizing info:
Fits 11″ tablets, or a 9/5″ by 11.5″ planner.
Cutest Minimalist Design
Iris Mini Crossbody Bag
This is an absolutely adorable mini statement bag! Crafted with a minimalist design, the Iris is a quick and easy sewing pattern great for beginners who want to add some personality to their wardrobe.
Features of this statement bag:
- Cute, compact bag
- Front flap with a magnetic snap closure
- Interior zippered pocket
- Detachable, adjustable crossbody strap
- Projector & Copy Shop files included
- 30 pages of step-by-step instructions with colour photos
- Printable full pattern pieces
Sizing info:
9″ wide by 7″ high by 2.25″ deep.
Easiest Zipper Pouch You’ll Ever Make
Take Note Zipper Pouch
Possibly the easiest zipper pouch you will ever make. Perfect for beginners, there are no fiddly zipper tabs to worry about with the ‘Take Note’ pouch. The instructions include lots of easy to follow steps accompanied by clear step by step pictures.
Features of this zipper pouch:
- No zipper tabs
- Minimal fabric for the outer (perfect for using up those smaller offcuts you’ve been saving)
- Only takes 4 pieces to make this zipper pouch
- Wider base so stands upright
- Perfect for pencils, brushes, crochet hooks, etc
Sizing info:
23 cm x 10 cm (9” x 4”)
Best Free Pouch Pattern For Beginners—Comes With Video Instruction
3 Way Pouch
This versatile & adaptable pattern allows you to sew a hip bag, crossbody & shoulder bag all from the same FREE pattern.
Features of this pouch:
- Versatile—make a hip, crossbody, or shoulder bag
- Step by step video instruction
Sizing info:
14cm x 22cm / 5.5″ x 8.6″
Quickest Free Pattern To Sew
Japanese Knot Bag
This cute little bag is so easy and so fast to sew—making it an excellent beginner sewing project! No templates are needed for making this adorable Japanese Knot Bag. You can give this mini bag away as gifts with a little surprise tucked inside.
Features of this easy bag:
- Perfect beginner sewing project
- Free video tutorial
- Unique closure—no zipper
- Metal snap or sew-on magnetic snap closure
- Quick access to inside—simply untie!
Sizing info:
5¼” (13.5 cm) x 4¾” (12 cm) x 3¼” (8 cm)
Best For Teaching Basic Bag Making Techniques
Lou Lou Bag
Compact and cute, the Lou Lou Bag is perfect for those who prefer a smaller purse. Its compact design and simple flap closure design makes it a quick project. It’s the idea lproject for an evening of sewing, with clear instructions that facilitate a fast finish.
Features of this compact bag:
- Front feature pocket
- Zipper closure
- Inner slip pocket
- Squared-off base
- Adjustable strap
- Requires minimal fabric & hardware
- Great for making multiple bags
Sizing info:
7.75″ (20 cm) tall by 6″ (15 cm) wide by 2″ (5 cm) deep.
Most Detailed Tutorial For Learning Belts & Straps
Buckle Strap Connector Tutorial
The Buckle Strap Connector tutorial is a detailed written tutorial with lots of pictures showing every step of the way. It’s a very helpful “how-to” lesson that will provide readers with the key to enter into the world of belts, straps, and handle making.
With these basic tools of bag making, you will be able to transform any tote pattern into a designer look bag using this tutorial.
These easy step-by-step instructions are a quick sew, and make the ideal stylish addition or upgrade to many of your existing bag patterns.
Unique Bow Design
Nicky Bag
Stand out with this unique pattern—the bow adds just the right amount of character in a cute & classy way. The Nicky Bag can be dressed up or dressed down, which will quickly turn this pattern into your go-to for making a clutch to go with new outfits.
Set yourself apart with the special bow design. This is a small & neat bag that not only is absolutely adorable, but is ideal for using up leftover fabrics, matching outfits you’ve already made or as a small clutch to slip inside a matching, larger purse.
Features of this cute clutch:
- Zip closure
- Optional piping
- Small & neat
- Cute bow
Sizing info:
9” x 6”
Best Kids Design
Mini Crossbody Bag
This adorable Mini Crossbody Bag is perfect for the little ones in your life. It’s small and lightweight, making it easy for kids to carry around their treasures. The pattern includes a video tutorial to help you breeze through the sewing process.
Features of this crossbody bag:
- Uses a simple strap & closure system
- Instruction is via video tutorial
- Perfectly sized for kids
- Simple & quick to make
Sizing info:
9” x 6”
No Zippers For A Fast & Easy Sew
Simple Clutch Bag
This super-simple clutch bag pattern can be sewn in 30-45 minutes so if you simply MUST have a new bag to take with you this evening, you can run up this pretty clutch purse before you go out.
The ideal beginner project, there are no zippers to sew and it closes with a simple snap fastener or magnetic snap. Add a wrist strap for extra security, or to go hands-free at the buffet with a plate of food in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
Features of this crossbody bag:
- No zippers
- Simple snap fastener or magnetic snap closure
- Wrist strap
- Unique flap design
Sizing info:
4″ x 7.5 “
Best Bag Requiring Minimal Hardware
Makayla Bag
Keep it casual or keep it classy—the Makayla Bag can be done either way! Dress it up or down, modify it, make it a crossbody bag by adding a crossbody strap instead or add some bling with some chain—you can turn this bag into whatever you want.
You can add to it, like adding a slip pocket inside, or make it a lightning fast sew by using metal connectors instead of the sewn connectors. She will be cute either way!
Features of this versatile bag:
- 2 SIZES: medium & small
- Step by step instructions with over 200 photos
- Domestic machine friendly
- Whole pattern pieces (no fold pieces)
- Metric & imperial measurements
- All pattern pieces (except the strap) available + measurements for rectangular pieces
- Full length video tutorial
- Easy on the hardware (but with options for more)
- Learn some new tricks & techniques
- Can be made in any fabric
Sizing Info:
Small – 10 3/4″ W, 5 1/2″ H, 2 3/8″ D; Medium – 12 1/2 W”, 6 3/4 H”, 3 D”
Getting A Stylish Bag Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated Or Time Consuming
These FREE patterns prove that style and simplicity can go hand in hand, even for beginners. Whip up these trendy bags and learn a few new tricks, techniques and skills along the way! Each pattern comes with clear and simple instructions to help you easily succeed.
