The Ultimate Project Bag: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

November 24, 2025 Crafts & Projects

Featured Fabric: Studio E Color Me Abstract by Julie Hamilton

Pattern design by: Heidi Pridemore

Sewn by: Heidi Pridemore

Source Pattern: The Ultimate Project Bag (© The Whimsical Workshop, LLC)

This sturdy, multi-pocket bag is perfect for organizing sewing notions, quilting tools, knitting supplies, or travel craft projects. The project is beginner-friendly and uses simple techniques: straight seams, folded pockets, a vinyl window, and a zipper panel.

Finished Size: 13½” x 13½” (34.29cm x 34.29cm)

Skills Learned: Straight seams, folded pockets, vinyl window, zipper panel

Skill Level: Advanced beginner

Fabric Requirements:

Outer Bag (Fabric A)

(1) 14" × 14" square (35.56cm x 35.56cm)
(1) 11" × 12" rectangle (27.94cm x 30.48cm)
(1) 8½" × 11" rectangle (21.59cm x 27.94cm)
(2) 3½" × 15" strips (8.89cm x 38.1cm)
(2) 4½" × 10" strips (11.43cm x 25.4cm)
(1) 3½" × 14" strip (8.89cm x 35.56cm)

Inner Bag (Fabric B)

(1) 14" × 14" square (35.56cm x 35.56cm)
(1) 11" × 16" rectangle (27.94cm x 40.64cm)

I used the following prints from Color Me Abstract:

8541-14 Cream
8539-69 Jade
8533-47 Biscuit
8535-14 Cream
8540-69 Jade
8531-17 Ice

Additional Supplies:

Clear vinyl, 10" × 14" (25.4cm x 35.56cm)
18" (45.72cm) zipper
Wash-out glue stick
Sewing clips
Zipper foot

Instructions:
Note: instructions are for ONE bag, some images reference two.

1. Fold the 8½" × 11" Fabric A rectangle in half, right sides together to make a 5 ½” x 8 ½” piece. Sew down both sides and across the bottom, leaving a 3" opening for turning. Turn right side out, press, and topstitch the folded edge. Make one Inner pocket.

2. Repeat Step 1 using the 11" × 12" Fabric A rectangle to make one 6” x 11” Small Outer Pocket and 11" × 16" Fabric B rectangle to make one 8” x 11” Large Outer Pocket.

3. Center the Inner Pocket on the 14" × 14" Fabric B square, 3" from the bottom edge. Topstitch in place. Draw divider lines as desired on the pockets and stitch through all the layers to make the Inner Pocket Panel.

4. Place the Small Outer Pocket on top of the Large Outer Pocket, aligning edges. Draw a vertical line 4½" from the left edge and stitch through all the layers to divide the pocket to complete the Double Pocket for the Outer Bag.

5. Center the Double Pocket on top of the 14" × 14" Fabric A square, 3" from the bottom. Topstitch in place to make the Outer Back Panel.

6. Make Fabric Binding Strips

Prepare (2) 4½" × 10" (unit 7) and (1) 3½" × 14" (unit 8) and (2) 3½" × 15" (unit 9) Fabric A strips by pressing long edges under ¼", then folding in half to make the Frame Pieces that will go around the vinyl.

7. Use a glue stick to glue each of the Unit 9 strips along each long edge of the Zipper, so the zipper is about ¼” inside each Unit 9 strip. Use a Zipper Foot to stitch the zipper in place. To make the Zipper Unit.

8. Measure the Zipper Unit to measure 14" and mark. Make sure the Zipper Head is inside the marked area before trimming. Stitch across both short ends about 1/8” from the drawn lines and then trim the Zipper Unit on the drawn lines.

9. Slide the vinyl ¼” into the open edge of one Unit 7 strip, glue and the topstitch in place. Repeat to sew the second Unit 7 strip to the opposite side of the Vinyl. Repeat to attach the Zipper Unit to top edge and the Unit 8 to the bottom edge of the Vinyl to make the Vinyl Panel. Once finished, square up the Vinyl Panel.

NOTE: You may need to trim the Inner Pocket Panel and Outer Pocket Panel a little smaller to match the Vinyl Panel before assembly.

10. Place the Vinyl panel on top of the Inner Pocket Panel, right sides up on both pieces. Align the edges and clip together. Use an 1/8” seam allowance to sew around the four edges of the two pieces to complete the Bag Front Unit.

NOTE: This piece will have raw edges all the way around at this point.

11. Assemble the Bag

Place Outer Pocket Panel and the Bag Front Unit, right sides together and sew with a ¼" seam, leaving a 5" opening at the bottom . Turn the sewn unit right side out through the opening.

12. Be careful not touch the vinyl with the iron and press the bag flat. Topstitch around the outer edges of the bag to close the opening and to complete the bag.