An envelope bottom bag creates a clean finished look and a nice square bottom. It’s a great skill to tuck away for when you need to sew up bags quickly for birthday party treats, Halloween trick or treats, Easter baskets and more! I’ll show you two project tutorials we’ve used it in at the end.
Envelope Bottom Tutorial
1. Start with two rectangles. These will determine the size of your bag. I’m doing a quick example here, so I’m making just a small bag.
2. Sew the bottom of the rectangles right side together. I ironed it all nice and flat.
3. Fold your rectangles right side together. Pull the bottom seam down 2″.
4. Bring up your second side 2″ so your raw edges meet. Now you have a four layer sandwich. There are a couple pictures so you can see what I mean.
5. With your sandwich flat together, sew up both side seams. Now everything is contained in the seam.
6. Flip your bag right side out.
Ready to use your new skill in a project? Check out our Library Bag tutorial or our Market Place bag post.
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A neat way to square the bottom of a bag!
This is something that always confuses me – thanks for the clear instructions. Now if I could only find my sewing machine!
No problem! It real does work smooth!
Thank you for posting on Saturday Show and Tell! I hope you’ll be back this week with more!
-Mackenzie
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com
Thank you we will!
This is a fantastic tutorial. I love making bags and this is one of my favorite methods for a classic tote. Also — thanks for stopping by my blog!
xx Jess
Thank you. It is our current favorite for sure!
Thank you! I purchased this bag http://www.etsy.com/listing/109074011/field-bag-tan?ref=favs_view_7 and I love it! I was looking up how to recreate this bag pattern and this post is exactly what I was hoping to find! Simple yet beautiful!
I’m making 65 of these for my high school reunion with the school emblem screen printed on one side. It is even easier, if you start with a long rectangle, rather than sewing the two squares together. Just put a pencil dot on each side edge to mark the half-way point, instead of the extra seam. It is faster, easier, and less bulky too. Make your lining the same way, then sew them right sides together at the top, including the strap in the top seam, and leaving an opening to turn it right side out. Happy sewing!