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    Home » Sewing » Bag Sewing Patterns

    Easy to Make Sewing Patterns with Video Instructions

    Updated: Feb 15, 2023 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Leave a Comment

    These sewing patterns are easy to make with step-by-step video instructions. Learn how to make a few of these projects for yourself or as a gift for someone else. We also have a list of recommended quilt patterns with video tutorials if you’re a quilter.

    collage image with woman on tv set and two sewn handbags

    One of my main focuses during the last two years was to add more video content to the site. I know that many of you are visual learners, and a video lesson really helps you during the construction process.

    Table of Contents
    • How to Find our Sew Alongs
    • 🎥 Video Instructions for Bag Sewing Patterns
    • Saturday Duffle Bag Pattern
    • March Bag Sewing Pattern
    • Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern
    • Alice Bag Sewing Pattern
    • 🎥 Video Tutorials for Quilt Patterns
    • Heart of Hearts Quilt Pattern
    • Let’s Stay Home Quilt Pattern
    • Halloween Haberdashery Quilt Pattern
    • Additional Quilt Pattern Videos
    • 🎥 Instagram Story Video Tutorials
    • Scrappy Strips Quilt
    • Drawstring Travel Bag
    • Simple Zippered Pouch Two Ways

    It’s been a challenge for me, and I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with cameras, lenses, video lighting, and editing. I’ve learned new computer programs, purchased equipment & mapped out ideas for loads of videos.

    As a small business owner, I work more than full-time to add content to the site, including videos. I’d love to have a video for every pattern, but it’s going to take a while to get to that point.

    screenshot of youtube chanel page

    I will keep adding more video content to our YouTube channel & sewing blog, but I wanted to give you a quick rundown of all the patterns with video instructions.

    Some of these are videos I’ve made myself, and some are videos I’ve made in partnership with other companies. Each of these projects will appeal to Makers of all skill levels. There are video tutorials for both purchased and free patterns. We’ve even thrown in a few seasonal crafts too!

    How to Find our Sew Alongs

    If you subscribe to our Newsletter, you’ll be notified every time we start a new sew or quilt along. The sew and quilt alongs are free, but you may have to purchase a pattern to participate. Each one is run differently. You can find an archive of all of our current and previous Sew Alongs on our site.

    🎥 Video Instructions for Bag Sewing Patterns

    I love to sew tote and travel bags! They are one of the first things I learned how to sew when I got a sewing machine. There are a few things to note when sewing bags, such as the fabric type, thread types, the difference between a PDF sewing pattern and a printed pattern, and more.

    I will walk you through most of these items in our sewing videos. I also share my resources for supplies for your projects.

    Saturday Duffle Bag Pattern

    The Saturday Duffle bag is one of my favorite bag patterns. It’s got a fun retro “vibe” and was inspired by the duffle bags I had as a kid in the 80’s.

    It was a part of one of our Sew Alongs on YouTube. You can find a series of videos walking you through all the steps to create the bag on our channel. I know that a helpful video can make you feel more confident when you tackle a larger sewing project like a tote bag.

    View the Video Series

    Buy the Pattern

    March Bag Sewing Pattern

    I have worked with Riley Blake to bring you an instructional video series for 3 of my most popular handbag patterns. You will still need to purchase the patterns (I’ve linked them below). Each one of these videos is a series that breaks down the construction step by step.

    The March Bag sewing pattern has been updated and re-released. It's a fun handbag sewing pattern with a large outside kangaroo style pocket and 4 different handle styles. #sewingpattern #bagpattern #handbagpattern #pursepattern #polkadotchair #melissamortenson #rileyblake #safariparty

    My video with Riley Blake walks you through the steps for creating my March Bag. I love this bag as it’s one of the first bag patterns I designed over ten years ago.

    Bag pattern on white table

    In the series, we talk about fabric selection, design ideas, and the various options for the handles on the bags.

    Woman on video set with handbags in forefront of photo

    Find the video series on YouTube.

    Grab the Pattern in my Shop.

    Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern

    Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern by Melissa Mortenson; makes a cute weekend bag and can be made with leather straps or sewn purse handles. Would be a cute DIY summer travel bag.

    One of the most (if not the most) popular bag patterns I have is for my Retro Travel Bag. It’s one that I designed over 10 years ago and has evolved a lot from that first pattern.

    Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern green and ivory hanging on white wall
    Retro Travel Bag Pattern View 2

    The bag can be made from quilting-weight cotton or laminated cotton. It can also be made with fabric or leather handles.

    In the series, I walk you through the entire process, including adding the piping to the exterior of the bag.

    Learn how to make this cute weekend travel bag in an online video class! Features Retro Travel Bag sewing pattern by Melissa Mortenson

    Find the video series on YouTube

    Grab the Pattern in my Shop.

    Alice Bag Sewing Pattern

    Introducing the Alice Bag Sewing Pattern. A whimsical and versatile purse sewing pattern featuring bunny ears! It can be made in two sizes and features 4 different handle style options including cross body straps!

    The Alice Bag bag is a circle bag that can be made in 3 sizes. It can also be made as a purse, a crossbody bag, or a makeup bag/pouch. Personally, it’s one of my favorite patterns.

    Alice bag round bag sewing pattern by Melissa Mortenson - such a cute bag to sew!

    You can add ears to make it look like a bunny and even add a quilted exterior if you like.

    Lots of cute sewing project ideas and quilting patterns and tutorials using Safari Party Fabrics by Melissa Mortenson for Riley Blake Designs

    In the videos, I teach you precise steps to insert the zipper and give you my best tips for getting the piping to look great on the outside of your bag (hint: it’s glue!).

    Learn how to make a round bag in this online video course! #videotutorial #sewingvideo #sewingpattern #sewingpatterns #roundbag #roundbagpatterns #alicebag #melissamortenson #imaginewithrileyblake #rileyblake #polkadochair

    Find the video series on YouTube

    Grab the Pattern in my Shop.

    🎥 Video Tutorials for Quilt Patterns

    Heart of Hearts Quilt Pattern

    To celebrate Valentine’s Day we recently hosted a Sew Along for our Heart of Hearts Quilt pattern.

    quilt and quilt supplies on white cutting mat

    It’s a quick quilt to create; there are only three videos in the series. The quilt is a good size for a baby quilt or for a lap quilt.

    Buy the Pattern

    Video Tutorial Series

    Let’s Stay Home Quilt Pattern

    pattern cover of let's stay home quilt. quilt on white wall with pink chair in foreground

    A few years ago, I flew to Texas and filmed a set of tutorials with the Fat Quarter Shop for my Let’s Stay Home Quilt Pattern.

    Let's Stay Home Quilt from Summer Quilt Along

    This quilt pattern is constructed in rows, and we created one video for each row of the pattern.

    Watch your video – Find the video series on YouTube

    Grab the Pattern in my Shop.

    Halloween Haberdashery Quilt Pattern

    halloween witch hat quilt on stone wall

    I have created a video walking you through the steps to create the Witch’s Hat & Pumpkin Quilt Blocks on my YouTube channel for my Halloween Haberdashery Quilt Pattern.

    Halloween Haberdashery Quilt by Melissa Mortenson - a cute Witch's Hat Halloween Quilt pattern

    This quilt pattern is fun and a great way to use up a bunch of scrap Halloween Fabric. I’ve seen it customized so many different ways! It’s a good pattern for a confident beginner or intermediate quilter. The video really does help you understand the construction process a bit better.

    Find the video series on YouTube (I’ve also added it to this post).

    Grab the Pattern in my Shop.

    Additional Quilt Pattern Videos

    You can also find video tutorials to support a few of our other quilt patterns.

    Summer Sugar Quilt Sew Along Series

    Santas Hat Shop Quilt Pattern Series

    Spooky Sampler Quilt Pattern Videos

    🎥 Instagram Story Video Tutorials

    instagram profile screen shot of melissa mortenson's profile

    When we all found ourselves home unexpectedly in March, I began doing mini-tutorials on my Instagram Stories for some of my most popular sewing tutorials. I saved all of those projects to a highlight bubble. They are not as “edited and fancy” as the YouTube series of videos, but many people told me they were very helpful.

    Scrappy Strips Quilt

    Simple Strip Quilt

    The first Instagram sew-along was for my Scrappy Strips quilt. It can be made in both baby and lap quilt sizes.

    Find the pattern here in the shop

    Click here to follow me on Instagram – look for Quilt Along Highlight Bubble.

    Drawstring Travel Bag

    fat quarter laundry bag on white cutting mat

    Next, we moved on to drawstring travel bags made from Fat quarters. The pattern gives you options to make this bag in 6 different sizes.

    Find the Pattern in the Shop

    The Insta Story tutorial highlight on Instagram – Look for Sew Along highlight bubble.

    Simple Zippered Pouch Two Ways

    two sewn zip pouches on white table with colorful books

    The third project walks you through how to create a simple zippered pouch. Tutorials for both flat and flat-bottomed pouches can be found on Instagram.

    Grab the pattern in the shop

    Find the tutorial on Instagram – look for bag sewing along highlight bubble

    Note: I offered each of these patterns free to help keep people busy during the height of the staying home. They are now part of my “simple patterns” series in the shop.

    As I mentioned, I’m adding even more video instructions to the site and my YouTube Chanel this year. If there is a pattern of mine that you’d love a video for in particular, let me know in the comments section!

    collage of round bags.

    Are you New to Sewing & Quilting? If so, check out some of our most popular posts perfect for beginners!

    45+ Easy Beginner Quilt Patterns

    25 FREE Baby Quilt Patterns

    How to Organize your Fabric

    15 Must Know Bag Making Tips & Tricks

    More Projects You May Enjoy

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      New! All Ears Pouch Pattern & Sew Along
    • trick or treat bag free pattern
      How to Sew a Simple Trick or Treat Bag
    • Image of duffle bag on sewing table with colorful thread in background
      15 Must Know Bag Making Tips and Tricks

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

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    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

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