
Never sewn a bag before or just looking for a quick and easy project? The use of metal handles in this bag means there is no need for fiddly zippers or closures, but the bag still looks super cute and just like something you could have bought in a nice store.
Feedback to the site, comments on Facebook, and emails I've received show that you all love to sew bags! You asked for more quick and simple projects, more bags, more for new and beginner sewists and more projects that can be made with small pieces of fabric, or short periods of time. I think this bag fulfills all of those.
My First Bag Series – In fact, I've decided that over the next 12 months I'll try to bring out several new bags that could all be sewn by beginners and would be perfect if you've never sewn a bag before. They'll all be simple to sew, have simple patterns and each will come with instructions even a beginner can follow – it's the ‘My First Bag Series'.

Sew the Turning Japanese Free Bag Pattern
- Finished bag approx 11 inches tall by 10.5 inches wide
Firstly, download and print the pattern and read through the written instructions. You will need the following materials
- Outer fabric – 14 x 30 inches
- Lining fabric – same
- Metal handles
- Matching thread
- Interfacing/fusible fleece


You can download the pattern and instructions for the Turning Japanese Bag from my design account at Payhip. It's a PDF file containing both instructions and pattern all in the same file. Enjoy! Trouble downloading the pattern? Check out this article - How to Download and Print PDF Sewing Patterns.
Fabric Suggestions from Amazon.com
I'm struggling to find the exact fabric I used for this bag. It just doesn't seem to be being made anymore. However, here are a couple of other really good alternatives that will still give you a similar style.
Free Video Tutorial
You can also watch this tutorial video. See how easy it is!
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You can do it ! You can sew a bag to be proud of and that others won't believe you made yourself. Give it a try. I'm always here to answer your questions if you read through the instructions and watch the video and are still stuck.

And watch out in the future for simple variations you can add to this bag too. Once you have the pattern and know how to sew it, making your own changes to the pattern isn't too difficult. I'll show in a future tutorial how to add some piping and make it in two different fabrics. Even how to add a shoulder chain and some bag feet too so you can really Wow your friends!

You can download the pattern and instructions for the Turning Japanese Bag from my design account at Payhip. It's a PDF file containing both instructions and pattern all in the same file. Enjoy! Trouble downloading the pattern? Check out this article - How to Download and Print PDF Sewing Patterns.
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Why the Turning Japanese Bag? When I saw this lovely fabric (and the lining fabric) it reminded me of a popular song from the 80's – Turning Japanese…
I have an important request. On this pattern and any future bag patterns, please add the finished bag dimensions (Width x Height x Depth) to either the very first page or if not there, then on the page with the fabric requirements. These are the only two pages I will print, until I have decided when I will be preparing to make the bag. I often look through my printed bag pages and decide which of my saved patterns will fill my current need for myself or for a gift and then make my preparations of collecting fabric, interfacing, hardware, thread, etc. Having the dimensions right at the beginning of the bag information is so important for the decisions and preparations. Thanks for considering my suggestion.
Love this bag. Looks simple.
The pattern’s link for the metal handle insert is no longer valid – the Etsy shop is gone!
Hi, sorry that link didn’t work. Please check these out: https://tidd.ly/3HkE1OK
Bag looks fabulous. Where can we purchase the “handle”.
Hi, sorry that link didn’t work. Please check these out: https://tidd.ly/3HkE1OK