Stowe Bag Sew-Along

Sew the Stowe Bag with confidence using our detailed tutorial series! This project bag features a roomy main compartment and organizing pockets for tools, patterns, and notebooks. Available in two sizes, you'll master bias binding and bag construction techniques through step-by-step photo tutorials to create your perfect organizer for knitting, sewing, travel, or any creative pursuit.

Lesson 1

Selecting Your Fabrics

Two Stowe Bags showing fabric options, pink grid print with burgundy binding and teal wave print with matching binding

Discover fabric options for your Stowe Bag! This versatile pattern works with everything from quilting cotton and linen for a softer bag to canvas for structure. The small size uses under one yard, making it perfect for stash-busting. Choose contrasting binding for accent or match your main fabric for a cohesive look.

Choose Your Fabrics

Lesson 2

Stowe Supply List

Get organized before you start sewing! This quick project comes in two sizes and works up fast when you have everything ready. From fabric and bias binding to specialized feet and marking tools, we cover all the supplies you'll need. Pre-made or handmade binding both work beautifully, and we'll show you both methods during the sew-along.

Stowe Bag pattern envelope with sewing supplies including measuring tape, scissors, rulers, thread, pins, and pink grid fabric

1. Stowe Pattern

The first thing you'll need is the Stowe Bag Pattern. You can purchase it as a paper pattern or downloadable PDF here.

2. Main Fabric

We recommend medium weight woven fabrics such as denim, linen, twill, and canvas, however, fabrics over 9oz are not recommended for this pattern. This is because of potential sewing machine difficulty when sewing through a few of the more bulky seams.

3. Double-Fold Bias Binding

You can use pre-made bias binding to finish the edges of your bag, or make your own using matching or contrasting fabric. We'll show you how to do both during the sew-along.

4. All-Purpose Thread

I prefer to use standard poly thread for my projects. I like poly because I pre-treat my fabrics and I know that poly won’t shrink when laundered, keeping my seams nice and neat. Try to use high quality thread as it’s kinder to your machine.

Gather Your Supplies

Grab the Stowe Bag Pattern

  • Person holding four sizes of handmade Stowe Bags in various colors while standing indoors.

    Stowe Bag

    Stowe Bag

    $18.00 USD
    $18.00 USD

Lesson 3

Cutting Your Fabric

Two images showing Stowe Bag pattern pieces with markings on left, hand clipping notches on teal wave print fabric on right

Get your Stowe Bag pieces cut and marked for construction! This post covers fabric layout, cutting both bag sizes, and the key marking techniques you'll need before sewing begins. Learn helpful tricks for marking notches and transferring pocket placement points accurately.

Start Cutting

Lesson 4

Making & Attaching the Pockets

Stowe Bag body pieces with pockets stitched and marked with green pins on left, serged seam edge detail on right

This is the bulk of the Stowe project! Learn to create the multi-pocket design that makes this bag so functional. We'll walk through pocket preparation, marking your stitching lines, and the continuous sewing method that creates all those organizing compartments. This detailed post breaks everything down into manageable sections.

Start Sewing

Lesson 5

Making & Finishing the Handles

Stowe Bag handle with pink bias binding pinned around curves on left, hand demonstrating handle fold on right

Learn to bind the handle curves and create the distinctive handle fold that forms the Stowe's side gussets! This comprehensive post covers applying bias binding to handles, joining the handle tops, and finishing the bag opening with circular binding. The handle fold is simpler than it looks - we promise!

Create the Handles

Lesson 6

Creating the Bag Gussets

Completed Stowe Bag in teal wave print with pink binding showing front with side gussets and organized pockets

The final steps of the Stowe! Learn to create the side gussets by folding and stitching the bag edges, turn your bag right side out, and decide whether to add the optional permanent bottom gusset. We've included videos for the trickiest steps to make everything clear.

Finish Your Stowe

Extras

  • Two Stowe Bags hanging on wooden rod showing gray bag with permanent gusset and navy geometric bag without gusset

    Optional Permanent Gusset

    Need more clarity on the optional Step 15? This video tutorial demonstrates how to create a permanent bottom gusset by stitching through the bottom layers from inside the bag. Learn why this step is optional and how it affects your bag's ability to fold flat when not in use.

    Add a Permanent Gusset 
  • Pink bias tape strip with yellow bias tape maker tool ready for folding into double-fold binding

    How to Make Bias Tape

    Learn to cut and fold your own bias tape for the Stowe or any project! This comprehensive tutorial covers cutting strips on the true bias, joining pieces together with angled seams, and using a bias tape maker to create perfectly folded single or double-fold binding with crisp creases.

    Make Bias Tape 
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