How to Make a Snap Bag

Snap bags are fun little projects to make.  They make terrific coin purses.  If you search you can find the metal internal flex frames in a variety of sizes.  That means you can make these bags in larger or smaller sizes depending on your needs.  A 10cm flex frame was used for this little coin purse.  This is a simple beginner sewing project that anyone with basic sewing skills can make.  It really did not take long at all to make it.  I got this little project from Sewing Times on YouTube and wanted to share it with you.  It is a fun and functional little project.

This snap bag only requires a small amount of fabric so I would delve into your stash for this project.  Fat quarters work great for this.  I used some cotton fabrics that I purchased at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores but you could head to Hobby Lobby, Fabric.com or onlinefabricstore.net to get exactly what you want for your your project.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.   As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  

What you will Need: How to Make a Snap Bag

• Pattern you can get by clicking on this link
• Outer Fabric — 2 pieces that measure 5 1/2″ x 4 3/4″
• 2 pieces of fusible interfacing like Pellon SF 101 that measure 5 1/2″ x 4 3/4″
• 2 lining pieces that measure 6 1/8″ x 5 1/2″
• Gusset piece of contrasting fabric and an interfacing piece that measure 12 5/8″ x 2 1/4″
• 2 contrasting fabric pieces that measure 5 1/8″ x 2″ for the casing
• 1 10 cm metal internal flex frame

Step 1: Cut out your Fabrics

Using the pattern piece cut the outer fabrics and the fusible interfacing.

Step 2: Fuse the Interfacing

Fuse the interfacing to the outer piece using a hot iron and following the manufacturer’s instructions.  

Step 3: Create the Casing

Create the casing by taking each piece and folding the short ends in by 3/8″ and pressing.  Stitch along the short sides.  Fold in half lengthwise wrong sides together and press again.  You should have two casing pieces.  

Step 4: Add the Casing to the Outer Fabric

Place each casing on each outer piece and centered. Stitch the casing to the outer pieces.  

Step 5: Create the Gusset

Fuse the Gusset interfacing to the gusset fabric following the manufacturer’s instructions.  Measure from the left side 2 3/8″ and make a mark on the top and the bottom of the gusset piece.  Then measure 3/8″ on the left short end and mark.  Draw lines from the two marks on the top and the bottom.  Fold the gusset in half.  Cut both lines through all layers.  

Step 6: Add the Gusset

Find the center of the gusset piece and the center of the bottom of the outer piece and mark.  Line up the centers right sides together and pin. Pin the remaining gusset piece to the outer piece.  Clip the curves to fit.  Stitch the gusset to the outer piece using a 3/8″ seam allowance.  Add the other outer piece to the other side of the gusset and stitch.  Turn right sides out.  

Step 7: Create the Lining

Using the pattern piece cut out the lining pieces and transfer the marks.  You will be creating darts.  There will be two darts per lining side.  Create the darts by pinching the two outer legs together and clipping.  Stitch along the line you have created on both sides.  Repeat for the other lining piece.  Place the two lining pieces right sides together and stitch all the way around using a 3/8″ seam allowance.  Leave an opening on one side of the lining for turning. 

Step 8: Add the Lining to the Outer Piece

Place the outer piece inside of the lining piece so that the pieces are right sides together.  Stitch all the way around the top. Turn the bag right sides out through the opening you left in the lining.  Close the opening using ladder stitch or your machine.  Stuff the lining into the outer bag and press.  Topstitch all the way around the top making sure that the casing is facing up.  

Step 9: Add the Metal Internal Flex Frame

Slide the flex frame into the casing on each side.  The flex frame comes together at the end with a pin.  Insert the pin and fold up the bottom metal piece so that the pin doesn’t fall out.   You have now finished your snap bag.  

I hope you enjoyed this snap bag project. If you would like more sewing and crafting projects sign up for our newsletter and receive your free eBook on 15 handbag patterns and tutorials taken from the blog.  

 

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