End of Bed Bag: Sewing Tutorial

I made these end of the bed bags for my girls for their new room. The girls use them all the time.

My idea was to use it for storing their pj’s after they change out of them in the morning.

But the girls also use it as a place for the babies to sleep or just to collect and gather things in.

So I thought I would share with you how I did it.  My first tutorial!

It’s kind of exciting and kind of scary. Scary why?  Because I am an amateur sewist (is that a word?) at best.  I come from 2 generations of great sewers but I didn’t find the love or motivation until much later. I have always been in love with the idea of sewing.  But it always seemed so intimidating.  So complicated. And patterns?  They make me nervous.

Truthfully.

But I keep practicing and practicing.  I also took a class with this amazing woman. And she really changed the way I view sewing. I totally sucked at her class (my dress is still not done) but she made me realize that free-spirited sewing and just looking at things from a simpler perspective is so much clearer and easier.  I am not saying that you (me) shouldn’t learn technical sewing and be meticulous because it’s very important.  I am just saying that it’s okay to jump in and go for it. Stop staring at the patterns. Just think about what it is you want to achieve and go for it. And that’s what I did!  Oh and the fact that I couldn’t find a pattern or tutorial for what I wanted anywhere.

So feel free to point out any and every technical imperfections because I am sure they are there!  I don’t mind.

Now dust off the sewing machine and get er’ done!

Step 1–Materials:

  • Two–12 x 10 inch squares of fabric for outside of bag
  • Two–12 x 10 inch squares of coordinating fabric for inside of bag
  • Four–2 x 10 inch strips of coordinating fabric for ties
  • Cotton thread to match your fabric
  • Rotary Cutter
  • Cutting Pad
  • Pins
  • Sewing Machine

Step 2–Make Bag:

With right sides together sew 1/4″ seam around 3 sides.

Repeat for inside lining of bag.

Step 3:  Box Corners of Bag

This part can be a bit tricky. Hold the corner of the bag and pull until both seams are touching each other.

Pin at the place you pinched and mark.

Sew a straight stitch across.

Repeat for the other corner making sure that the corners are pinched and sewn in same direction.

Repeat for lining of bag.

To avoid bulk, clip the corner of the bags.

Step 4–Put the Bags Together

Turn the outside of the bag right side out and keep the lining of the bag right side in.  Place your lining of the bag inside the outer bag. Tuck in so the corners line up.

Fold over the inside lining over the top of the outside of bag a 1/4″ and press.

Fold over another 1/4 ” and press again.

Pin the bag in place. FYI–you generally pin perpendicular to your seam line (not parallel like I did). It makes for easier removing of pins while sewing. Sometimes I forget. 🙂

Stitch down as close to the edge of the bottom of the fold.

Step 5–Make Ties

Take your strips and fold in one side 1/4″ and press.

Fold the other side in 1/4″ until they meet in the middle and press.

Fold in half and press.

Stitch down the ties as close to the edge as possible, reinforcing both ends.

Mark the bag where you want to attach your ties.

Pin in place and box stitch (a big X) down.

Tie bag down to the end of your bed and enjoy!

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