10 ALL-TIME BESTSELLERS: BAGS

Back-to-school vibes are in the air, and I must confess, it makes me very nostalgic. Shopping for a new school bag and stationery set the tone for the upcoming academic year. My school days may be long gone, but the urge to sew something for the season ahead is strong. A bag is an excellent and popular choice for September sewing projects.

Save yourself the search — we've shortlisted 10 of the most popular bag patterns of all time, so the perfect project is already picked out for you. It's a brilliant mix, from beginner-friendly makes ideal for your first-ever sewing project to more challenging designs that'll stretch your skills.

Read on to discover our all-time bestselling bag sewing patterns.

BF Patterns Bestie Bag

Streamlining life means finding the perfect bag to carry your everyday essentials around in, and this is a must-have pattern. 

The Bestie Bag is a banana-shaped carry-all companion with four views, so you can tailor its size, straps, and pockets to suit your needs and style. Make one for you and your bestie as a (very) thoughtful and useful gift. Because having the right-sized bag for every occasion is what a girl wants, grab the expansion to make an adorable (and trending) mini version of the bestie bag.

Sewing level: Confident beginner

You can also make a mini version of the Bestie Bag with the expansion pack.

Merchant & Mills Carrier Bag

Do you ever get to the supermarket and realise you've left your tote bag at home and end up precariously carrying your things home by hand? I've been and seen this person, so I am rather excited by this new sewing pattern. Based on a classic everyday design, the Carrier Bag features French seams and an added lining.⁠ ⁠ Pack it down into your handbag and never play grocery Jenga again.

Sewing level: Absolute beginner / Confident beginner

Bara Studio Emma Tote Bag

The perfect companion for everyday life, this timeless tote is chic, practical and eco-friendly. It offers plenty of space to carry all your essentials in style. You could take notes from the designer and embellish your tote with a Marc Jacobs-inspired "Totebag" slogan using iron-on vinyl.

Sewing level: Confident beginner

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Noodlehead Sandhill Sling Bag

If you want to sew a trendy and practical bag, this bestselling pattern would be my recommendation. The Sandhill Sling has a convenient sling design that allows for easy access when you need it, but it’s out of the way when you don’t. I really appreciate a bag that doesn’t feel like a drag to carry around. It’s compact yet roomy enough for the essentials, and the adjustable strap makes it comfortable to wear.

Sewing level: Confident beginner / Intermediate

Matchy Matchy Stash Pocket Tote

Who here has an annoying pile of scraps they don’t know how to use up? This bag is the answer to your overflowing remnant problem! The Matchy Matchy Stash Pocket Tote is a fully lined tote bag with a handy outside pocket. It’s the perfect scrap buster and looks great in a patchwork style or single fabric. This is a quick and satisfying sew that you will reach for again and again.

Sewing level: Absolute beginner

BF Patterns Mia Messenger Bag

No outfit is complete without the right bag, and one that can fit all your stuff is the dream. Mia is fully lined with a zippered pocket and optional device pocket, so you can keep your phone nice and secure. If your bag needs to be able to carry multiple devices, you'll be pleased to hear Mia is perfectly sized for small laptops or tablets. You won't stop at making one!

Sewing level: Confident beginner

Merchant & Mills Factotum Bag

The Factotum bag is somewhat of a cult classic and is our pick of the bunch for anyone who is drawn to the satchel aesthetic. Two large external pockets are great for the bits you reach for all the time, and the large zipped main part of the bag can store all your essentials safely. There is also a kit for this so you can buy all the hardware alongside the pattern.

Sewing Level: Intermediate

Veronica Tucket Frankie Bag

This clever design is a reversible tote (two bags in one!) with a pocket and knotted shoulder ties. There are three options to choose from: a small version with short shoulder straps, a medium version with medium-length shoulder straps, and a medium version with long crossbody straps. Make one to match your outfit or even as a gift!

Sewing level: Confident beginner

Merchant & Mills Jack Tar Bag

This copious bucket bag has space for an almost infinite amount of stuff. Fully lined with three divided internal pockets, it’s the most useful of bags. If you like to sling your bag over the shoulder and go, this is the pattern for you!

A hardware kit for the Jack Tar Bag is available separately here, or bundled with the pattern here.

Sewing level: Confident beginner

I hope that's given you bags of inspiration. If you want to expand the search, check out our rather long shortlist of bag sewing patterns!