You know that I love to design sewing patterns, and I usually then upload them to Craftsy so you can all download the pattern for free to use along with the instructions that I post on the site here. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make that happen.
My latest pattern, the Wrap Dress, was nearly a full weeks work. From the design stages, through pattern grading, drawing the pattern and scanning it, adjusting the pattern, making up 2 or 3 tests and then a final dress, taking step by step photos along the way, getting my husband to take photos of the finished dress and writing the instructions and the post, then uploading and publicising the pattern. Pretty much a solid 6 days work.
My husband questioned why I did all this for free. Where else would I work for free for 6 days, spend out money on my materials, to then give away what I had made? He's right of course, but I do it because I love it, and I love to get all the comments and thanks from you all.
However, the outrageous cost of living isn't getting any easier here and if I could make a little extra from some pattern sales, that would be very welcome. So while I will still work on free patterns and tutorials for you, I am also working on a range of patterns for sale. It will take me a while to build up what you might call ‘a range of patterns' because of the days of work it takes to get to the final product -but today I am releasing my first one.
Introducing THE BOXY BAG PATTERN.
This great little bag is perfect for:
- Taking your lunch to work
- Taking a few things to the beach, a book, sun cream, phone etc
- A cosmetics bag
- A travel bag – padded to keep things safe while traveling
- A toiletries bag for the bathroom or a weekend away
- A camera bag or for carrying your Kindle etc
- A lunch bag for the kids to take to school
- A mini cooler bag – line it with an insulated lining
- A hobby bag – carry your paints, knitting, crafting tools with you
- and lots more uses
The approximate finished measurements are:
- Length -7.5 inches
- Width – 4.5 inches
- Height – 5 inches
4.7 out of 5-Star Rating on Craftsy
This bag has been reviewed numerous times on Craftsy and currently has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating. There are many, many examples of projects made by other readers so you can see how your project will likely turn out.
And watch the tutorial video:
Subscribe to the YouTube channel:Fabric Suggestions from Fabric.com
Get the Boxy Bag Pattern
You can buy the pattern from my account on Craftsy. It then is kept safely in your pattern library until you are ready to sew, then you can download and print it at any time.
Buy the Boxy Bag PDF sewing pattern with full step by step photo instructions.
So, what's next?
It pretty much makes sense to me that the patterns that will sell the best are the ones that are most in demand, and at the right price. Therefore, I'm really interested to know from you:
- what sort of patterns would you buy?
- what sort of patterns would you ideally like to see?
- should all patterns be the same price, and what price range?
- must a ‘for sale' pattern be digitally drawn or is hand drawn acceptable like my current range of free patterns?
- any other comments and suggestions?
Do leave me a comment below. I'm interested to know what you think and your input will help me develop my pattern range and my business.
Thank you for the pattern.
Thank you so much for your generosity I have some teenage granddaughters who I know will love this bag
I love this bag and would like to make it for a few people…..is there any way to make the bag slightly bigger ! Thanks …awesome tutorial post !!!!
Hi Maude, please watch the video tutorial that is on the pattern page of our site. The video shows how to make the bag bigger.
I’m slightly confused by your pattern. Is this suppose to be cut on the fold? Otherwise, it seems rather small. Thank you.
You are welcome:)
Love love love the boxy bag. It is quite versatile and can be used for a lot of different things. I use a lot of free patterns and am always on the lookout for bags and purses. I think your patterns are great and quite reasonably priced. I buy patterns that I really like but hesitate if the price is too much. I think for a digital pattern, anywhere from $5.00 to $8.00 is reasonable.
Hi Lena, thanks so much for your feedback and support. Please enjoy the pattern.
Thank you very much!! 😀
Thanks ever so much for sharing the boxy bag pattern!
Looking forward to trying this one out – it seems very versatile because the size can be easily adjusted. Your patterns are great and I have used many of them multiple times.
To answer your questions:
what sort of patterns would you buy?
I have limited budget, so I would definitely try a free pattern first to try to see what a bought one would be (and you’re very generous with those, thank you). The item I would purchase a pattern for would have to be practical, maybe unusual and something I would not be able to figure out how to do by looking at it
what sort of patterns would you ideally like to see?
Kind of along the line of what you’re already doing. Clothes and “things” improved. You are amazing in pinning down the problems of everyday clothing that makes them not comfortable, not look good, not loved. Like your sports bra or pencil skirt for example…basic things really, but they really do not work off the rack. Just keep up the good work.
should all patterns be the same price, and what price range?
affordable is really nice, but I feel that if something requires more work and effort to produce, it is totally justified to ask for a higher price.
must a ‘for sale’ pattern be digitally drawn or is hand drawn acceptable like my current range of free patterns?
digitally is nice, but a well drawn pattern is just as good as far as I am concerned. My priority would be that it works. I also think that drawing by hand might allow things that digital production might not allow. I find myself often limited by programs when I have so much more in my head. Programs are seriously expensive, and of course you would have to somehow figure these investments in pricing, hence more expensive patterns. I could be wrong, since I have not done digital patterns, but this is how I see it, since this is true for a lot of other things, even as simple as writing, art, business.
any other comments and suggestions?
I am so very happy to have found you. I’ll keep checking in for inspiration, looking forward for each post or e-mail, eagerly awaiting the time when I can start working on some of what you share, and then I will definitely check out the store as well. Thank you
Patterns, tutorials and videos take weeks to finish. You need to price according to what your market can bear taking in consideration your competition. It is a lot of trial an error, knowing the needs of your audience. I wish you good Luck in your journey, my best advice would be to follow your heart, as long as you love what you do and keep learning and working hard you will succeed. Let me know how you are doing. Will look forward to your pictures and comments. Kind Regards,
Thank you!
Thank you so much for so freely sharing your talent. May God richly bless you! I am looking forward to making this bag.
Thank you for this pattern! I had a bag like this years ago,…okay, in the 80’s that had a hidden zippered area on the very bottom. I actually used it as a place to keep my make up. It was also a good place to keep $ when I went out as no one seemed to noticed it.
Love the bag. It can be so versatile. I have a question. Why’s do directions say to hand stitch along the zipper at the end, rather than Machine topstitch?
Thank You for the free pattern! These kinds of projects/patterns are great to make gifts, because multiple fabrics can be cut from each pattern piece at the same time. All of a sudden, there are “home-made kits” to assemble three or four gifts once everything is cut out. I prefer patterns for everyday items like this because they are one-size-fits-all. When I receive something useful such as this, I think of the sweet person who made it every time I use it.
Thank you very much!
Thank you!! Love this pattern 🙂
I hope this is the right website for your business. I came upon it thru my Pinterest and love all you patterns,I will be purchasing some as soon as I get a start with my classes for fashion design. My schedule is in progress but time is short but I will be sending you pictures of them as I finish
Hi Pattie, welcome to the site and thanks for your note. Please be sure to sign up for the email newsletter which will keep you updated on all the new patterns and other fun sewing stuff we write about on the site. You can find the signup on the righthand column of the home page. You’ll also get an intro series of emails that will show you all the other free sewing resources that are available through our site. Kind regards and happy sewing!
I tried a lot of sites for this bag and no one would give me all of the information I could get the sewing information but not the pattern. Or I got the pattern but not the cutting and sewing information. I must say yours is pretty good except for the pattern. I was able to print every thing which was great with one problem. My printer set up will not print the pattern unless it shrinks it. I do not have the capability to set it at the actual size so I am stuck not knowing how to resize the pattern. You do not indicate the measurements of the bag. It is 14 by 11 block but how many inches are the tabs suppose to be. I had really hoped this would solve the problems I have been having.
Hi Patsy, are you using Adobe Reader to print your pattern?
I am not a fan of PDF patterns even though I know they are less expensive or free, which is very nice, then paper patterns I just do not care for them. Love your website because of my love of small projects that can be within a day. Since I am a beginner these small projects appeal to me much more. Maybe in time when I become more experienced I might actually fall in love with PDF patterns.
Hi Cathy, thanks for your kind feedback and happy sewing!
Can somebody please tell me how to put together the BOXY BAG pattern, it does not tell you in the instructions and is not particularly obvious.
Thank you.
Joan Wells.
I was drawn to this bag shape as I was thinking about all the people now looking for a bag to hold their Instant Pots (electric pressure cookers) for pot lucks or travel. I think this would be perfect to carry it in, and a few accessory pieces. Guess I need to try it and see. Great site!
Please do try, and share some photos. Would love to see your final product.
I like this bag. I reckon it would make a great camera bag for my husband, in leather, in custom size.
I recently saw a review of a great quilted large cutting mat carrying bag (on PR). It came from a book which I cannot source without huge shipping costs. It also has ruler carrier etc. I loved it. I would pay for that, certainly! I don’t care if digitised or not, just need sizes and instructions worked out.
LOVE IT! Was thinking recently that I need to make a bag for my sewing machine as had to take to my daughter’s to make a Dr Who jacket this week! Your bag is the right shape, wrong size – so guess would make a great base to work from! THANK YOU.
I purchased the Boxy Bag Tutorial from Craftsy…and when printing the PDF file the templates come out on multiple pages. I match the dots to connect them, and maybe it’s user error, but the pattern says the top pieces are 14 x 12…the templates are not that size. Do I need to enlarge the templates to arrive at the 14 x 12 inch size? I’m sometimes virtually challenged when it comes to visualizing the instructions….
Hi Becki, sorry for the late reply, there is a square test in the pattern, please print this page and adjust your printer until it matches the dimensions given, let me know how you go. If you need any more help please drop me a line at mayra@so-sew-easy.com
Best Regards,
Mayra
I have this same problem with all of the PDF patterns. I found that if I print it out at 104% it is the correct scale. I always check my printed PDF patterns with the square or line that states yours should measure a certain size or length. This works well for me.
This pattern is great, I adjusted it to be a little bit bigger/taller. I modified the straps also, stitched them to the main fabric.
https://giventostitch.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/so-sew-easys-boxy-bag/
I like your dress patterns very much and I am happy to make a purchase for this one. You always pick just the right patterns for your body shape, and unfortunately, I don’t think those patterns do justice to my figure, however, I do enjoy watching you model them. I love free patterns, and use them all the time if it’s something I want to make, but I am also willing to pay for patterns that are not overly-priced. I was surprised to see that this one was priced so budget friendly. I love making bags and hope to see more from you. I also prefer the digital patterns because I believe if something comes up that you don’t understand that is written, a video easily explains the details. Keep up the GREAT work!
Thank you so much for this pattern.
Thank you so much for this pattern. I am just a beginner and I found this pattern so easy to follow. Look forward to many more of your patterns
So cute bag..And your kit so lovely color to have. Thank you for inspiring!
On one of your other Bags a Tester quoted ‘Not for the Beginner’. How is this one rated? I am a advanced Beginner, and have zippers put in for me because the thought of putting one in sends me over the Moon! *smile* I will also be increasing the size. Your response would be most helpful!!
Thanks, Nancy
You should be fine with this one Nancy. It’s really not difficult at all. But of course you will need to add a zipper. I suggest trying out the zipper part of the tutorial on some scraps of fabric with a basting stitch so you can easily remove it and get the zipper out to try again. You might find the cosmetics bag video useful – this shows more on how to add the zipper to a bag. But of course if you really don’t want to sew in a zipper, then you’ll have to pass or get someone to help you with it.
can you make a bag like this but bigger? I would like to carry more than lunch when I travel and this bag is too small.
It’s easy to increase the size of this bag yourself. The pattern comes in a single sheet especially for this reason. If you want to make it this size, you set it to print at 100% – straightforward. If you want to make it 50% bigger, you set scaling to 150%. If you want it twice as big, set print scaling to 200%. The pattern pieces increase in scale according to how you want it, and will print automatically. I’ve seen it both much larger and a little smaller – take a look here for a couple of examples – https://www.facebook.com/SoSewEasy/posts/745608995490165
I’m a beginner when it comes to machine sewing, so I enjoy patterns that are simple and pretty. I also like bag patterns more so then clothing. (I find it is more expensive to make your own clothes) I would love to see a messenger/diaper bag pattern!
I am not very willing to spend a lot on patterns, because there are so many free patterns out there. If it is a pattern I like very much I would pay five dollars. As for digital or not I don’t think there is a big difference as long as there is a video to accompany the pattern. (like the make-up bag.)
Hi, I just love this little boxy bag. I can’t buy patterns due to current situation but have a room full of fabric to play with. I think your price is reasonable and I’d think you would make great pattern sales.
Anytime you need a pattern tester just let me know, I’m a good seamstress with lots of time and materials at my disposal.
-Robin
I’ll certainly keep your details Robin, thanks for offering. In the meantime, I hope I can offer you some great patterns on the site, or in links to other great sites, so you can make use of your time and fabric. Two things I wish I had more of!
Well, I finally got to use your kit and pattern for this really simple bag. I enjoyed making it and made a couple of additions, but all in all I like your pattern. I added some notes.suggestions to the Tutorial pdf if you are interested in how the instructions worked for one of your customer sewists. 🙂 Great job Deby! Love my bag, actually I am giving it to my sister for her lunches at work. She will definately get some good use out of it.
Do you have a place where your customers can post pics of the projects they have completed from your pattern line?
Geni
Hi Geni – I’d certainly like to see your notes and additions. Its hard to write instructions when you know already how it should go! I don’t have anywhere separate for readers projects – I keep asking but I never get any! I know there are people out there sewing my patterns, but they are such a shy bunch! Do send me over a picture in an email along with your notes and I’ll put something together. Thanks for trying out the pattern.
Love the giraffe/leopard print bag!
I am so ready to make a lunch bag for my son!!
You can buy the Boxy Bag kit in my shop which includes the exact same fabrics to make the animal print bag. When you buy the kit, the pattern comes free. That’s a pretty good deal I think! Works out cheaper than having to source all the bits and pieces, interfacing, fleece etc yourself. Enjoy!
Can you offer the bag pattern in a size suitable for shoes?
Hi Heike. Actually the pattern for the bag is really simple. You could easily upgrade the pattern to any size. If you take your shoes, measure how large the bag would need to be, then look at the finished measurements for the bag as it is and just add some extra length and height to the center of the pattern pieces to up-size it.
Cute bag! Thanks for sharing! I’d like to make one for myself 🙂 Enjoy your evening!
Carissa
Lillies & Silk
That’s super cute!
what sort of patterns would you buy?
what sort of patterns would you ideally like to see?
should all patterns be the same price, and what price range? It really depends on the pattern and if it were to be unique and/or not something one can get for free that is similar. $2 – $8
must a ‘for sale’ pattern be digitally drawn or is hand drawn acceptable like my current range of free patterns? Digital would be nice if paying for it 🙂
any other comments and suggestions? Do you have testers? And if not, but interested….I would LOVE to be one of your first. It’s way you can get direct feedback from those of us who buy patterns online. I am an experienced sewist, like you, and learn all the time. I aml by no means an expert! Let me know…. My email is geniknits@comcast.net or genimcnutt@gmail.com
Hi Geni and thanks for your comments, your feedback is really useful. At the moment, the digitising of the patterns is my challenge. I have no idea how to do it for something I would usually hand draw and then cut up into several sheets! And getting someone to do it is quite expensive even for a simple pattern, I would have to sell a LOT of patterns just to cover the cost of having it drawn. It’s a dilemma! If I need any pattern tester for the future, or feedback on my patterns and instructions, I’ll certainly be glad to get in touch with you. Thank you for the offer.
Cute bag!
So pretty love how they came out!