Remember when Winnie-the-Pooh gave Eeyore a Useful Pot for his birthday?
Well, I’ve been sewing Useful Bags.
I use these all the time, and the ones I’d made ten years ago were finally starting to wear out. So I went rummaging in my sewing room and came across a box of Polartec fleece and Gore Windstopper scraps.
I started off with drawstring glasses cases…
These are a doddle to make and extremely versatile – I used to pack drink bottles in them for school. As the fleece doesn’t fray, there’s no need to finish the seams. Here are the instructions I sketched in my journal…
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I then moved on to zippered pouches. These really are useful bags…
So far, friends and family have taken them for (yes, I’m keeping a list!)…
- beanie toys
- calculators
- saxophone mouth parts
- sketchbooks
- coloured pencils
- acupuncture needles
- earphones and headphones
- cables and phone chargers
- makeup
- passports
- mobile phones
- epipens
- sunglasses
- lollies
- crystal stones
- coins
- medicines
- tissues
- journals
These are a bit trickier to assemble, but still pretty easy if you know how to sew in a zip. Here are some basic instructions…
Step 1: Start with a piece of fleece or windstopper a bit wider than your zip. My zips are 7″ long, so I cut my fabric 8″ x 8″…
Step 2: Sew one side of the zip to the edge of the fleece, right sides facing. Offset the needle so that it stitches close to the teeth of the zip. Use a long stitch length and loosen the tension slightly…
Step 3: Fold the zip under and topstitch close to the edge…
Step 4: Repeat on the other side. You might need to sew half way, lift the machine foot, wriggle the zipper pull out of the way, then lower the foot and sew the rest of the seam. Topstitch again carefully (it’s a bit fiddlier this time)…
Step 5: Turn the bag inside out and pin the edges together. I like to position the zipper close to or slightly down from the top edge of the bag…
Step 6: Stitch the sides together. Move the zipper pull out of the way if necessary…
Step 7: Turn the bag right side out and poke the corners out with a point turner or knitting needle. Finished!
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There you have it, two easy ways to sew a Useful Bag. They’re almost as much fun to make as they are to give away!
PS. Just for fun, I also made these pyramid shaped bags. They’re very cute, but not very useful…
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Lovely bags/pouches! The zippered bags look like wonderful pencil cases. I think I’ll make a few as gifts! Thanks for the inspiring post! 🌻
Ah, but then the Not Very Useful Bag would be perfect for Eeyore wouldn’t it and he would say “That’s all there is to it, I’m not complaining, but there it is” :)
Who is DIY acupuncturist? (Just asking) ;)
Not DIY, she’s a professional! 😊
These look great! I do glasses cases too. They do well at my Pop Up.
The pyramid shaped bags will be useful coin purses
The pyramid bags would be great for earphones. Or a sweetie stash! I think they’re lovely. And am VERY taken with the brown glasses case.
You can never have too many useful bags. I also like the pyramid bags – so cute!
Handy little assortment here. Thanks for the reminder. I must put my sewing machine in for a service……
If you come a cross any professional Triangle percussionists perhaps?
I LOVE the pyramid bags…is there a pattern?
Sorry, I just made it up. There are some similar ones on the net though. If I get time, I’ll try to sketch one out for you.
Brilliant little bags! The pyramid bags are gorgeous and useful for lots of things I’m sure!
That’s an enormous heap of bags.You could fill up the pyramid bags with beans and use them for juggling.
Must be a bag making bug in the air – I’ve been using up some of my jelly printed fabric to make them too, though I’m not as productive as you.
I have such a stash of zippers in additional to plenty of fabric that this might be the perfect way to combine the two for some easy sewing winter projects.
I’ll be making some of these. Meanwhile, how about a pattern for the tetrahedron bags?
very cool! I have some fabric samples just the size for spindle bags so will be getting onto that…at some point :) Thanks. Nice tutorial.
These are beauty! I’m not much for zippers but you’ve inspired me. Hugs, Maz
Great little travel bags for odds and ends.
You are such a wiz, Celia! Whipping up these groovy bags while the sourdough is proving…I really do marvel at your productivity! :-)
Celia you are inspiring and a genius
Very nice Celia – I’ve got to take a look at my fabric stash and start to sort through what I’ll be using & what needs to just go. The bags are a great way to use up those scraps that I just can’t seem to part with.
You write Excellent instructions! Normally I cannot understand what others say-but I understand you completely! Thank you SO Very much! Yours are lovely and l throughly enjoyed the “Usable Bags” title you gave them! You are very special. hugs from a Granny
What a terrific idea, Celia! I need an assortment for various things I like to throw in a tote bag.
You’re right Celia, these do look easy to make! I love those pyramid bags as well… I imagine with a key ring attachment, they’d be perfect to hook at the top of a bag strap to hang just inside a handbag and store Useful Items… keys, lipgloss etc.
Genius! xx
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Love these going to try these….. thank you for sharing