All About Project Bags

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I make my own bags following a pattern and video tutorial from Rosie's Art Studio.

I get a lot of questions about these bags, and I can see why - they're absolutely perfect. How do I know? Well, I spent a lot of time trying to find what I thought was the perfect project bag, and these are the ones I ultimately landed on.

Some requirements I had in mind:

• Needs to have a clear view front so I can easily see which project is inside (because yes, I have many).

• Must have a zippered closure to prevent contents from spilling out.

• Pockets for stashing stitch supplies.

• Comes in multiple sizes. Some of my projects have 100 thread colors, while others just have one. I want a bag size that matches the level of project supplies.

• Needs to fold flat for storage and stand upright when in use. The latter point was especially essential for me. For on-the-go stitching, I want to be able to set the bag down without it falling over and spilling everything.

To me, this list was totally practical. But in reality, I couldn’t find any ready-to-buy bags that

met all of these needs. Plenty of standard bags checked some boxes, but finding one with a gusseted bottom and a clear view front view felt impossible. I really couldn’t (and still can't) wrap my head around that - it seems like such a practical design detail. But oh well.

In my search, I started coming across bag patterns for a DIY approach. I had just recently started sewing and thought it could be a fun project on its own. After lots (and lots) of digging, I came across the almost perfect bag from Rosie’s Art Studio. I was a bit intimidated by the pattern as it uses both zippers and vinyl, but after watching her step-by-step YouTube tutorial, I felt confident enough to give it a try. The only thing the bag was missing was interior pockets for the little things, like needles and scissors, but I felt comfortable adding a simple patch pocket inside to get the job done.

Materials & Tools

The full supply list, including measurements and quantities, is included in the pattern and video tutorial.

Materials:

• Fabric

• Fusible interfacing

  • The pattern calls for two types of interfacing, but full disclosure, I just use Pellon SF101 wherever interfacing is called for.

• 16 gauge vinyl

• Zipper, zipper pull and end cap, swivel clip

  • I buy these all in bulk so I always have them on hand when needed.

• All-purpose sewing thread

Tools:

• Sewing clips

• Marking pen

• Cutting mat

• Rotary cutter / scissors

• Ruler

Tips & Tricks

I can’t take any credit for the genius behind these bags and I highly recommend watching the video tutorial. Even after making ten (or more!) of these bags, I still follow along with the video every single time.

The pattern includes cutting instructions for four different sizes. I find that I use the medium size the most—it’s big enough to fit plenty of thread, floss drops, and even a small hoop or Q-snap. The large is super roomy and definitely works for small crochet or knitting projects.

Final Thoughts

Project bags have quickly become a staple in my setup. They’re perfect for keeping each project organized, and I love having a dedicated bag for each chart. It helps me keep everything - floss, pattern, fabric, and any little extras - all in one place. Instead of digging through drawers to find what I need, I just grab the bag and start stitching.

A huge shoutout and thank you to Rosie’s Art Studio for creating such a wonderful pattern and providing the most incredibly detailed tutorial!

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