How to Make an Origami Bag

Looking for a new favorite day bag?

This simple Origami Bag design makes a great slouchy purse or beach bag. It can be made with any heavy weight fabric and broadcloth and can be made in different sizes.

It’s currently one of my favorite bags. I get compliments on it all the time and have started making ones for my friends. And here’s how you can make your own!

Materials

Origami Bag Materials

Video

Instructions

Step 1: Cut out the fabric

The bag that I am making is 15”x 44”.

Cut rectangles out of the outer fabric and broadcloth. They should be three times as long as they are wide. Pin together with right sides facing


Step 2: Make the strap

My strap will be 6” x 30”

Cut two pieces of your strap broadcloth that is three times as wide as you want the strap to be by 30”.   Fold the edges in so they meet at the center of the strap and iron. Fold one of the short edges in about a half an inch and iron. Now fold the whole strap in half and iron. Sew around the edges of the whole strap.


Step 3: Attach the strap

Insert the straps into between the layers of the top right and bottom left corners of the bag. There should be about an inch sticking out from the sides of the bag. Clip in place.


Step 4: Sew together

Sew around the edge of the bag with a quarter inch seam allowance. Leave a space on the short side that is large enough to flip it right side out.

At each of the straps, sew perpendicular to the strap about 2” into the body of the bag.

Flip it right side out and then fold in the seam of that space and sew it down.


Step 5: Fold

With the outer fabric facing up, fold the top left and bottom right corners to the opposite sides making a 45-degree angle of the outer corners.

Now fold the center square diagonally so the right side is across from the left. This should create two right angles along the bottom of the bag.

Take the seam that is along the left and right sides and pin with right sides facing


Step 6: Sew

Sew the seam where the right flap crossed over the left that you had pinned.

Also sew perpendicular to each of the 90-degree corners about 2” up the bag. Cut away the extra fabric. Flip the bag inside out. And now your origami bag is complete.


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