Wondering how to give design, shape and volume to all your bags? Simply create a flat bottom! Here you’ll learn 3 easy peasy ways for sewing box corners!
How To Sew Box Corners
If you are like me, you probably own a few bags; after all a woman can never have enough bags, right? Or shoes! Or makeup! And… I better stop here! lol If you take a close look, most bags have a flat bottom which not only helps them stand up but also gives them volume and shape. This is achieved by simply sewing box corners!
Some may think this sounds like heavy engineering or some sort of rocket science but truth is, box corners sewing could not be easier! And to me, quite fun! I love seeing how that shapeless bag suddenly blossoms into something really cool once I’m done with those box corners!
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Sewing square corners on bags can be done 3 ways and they’re all super simple, easy and quick but make such a huge difference in the way your bag looks, feels and functions! Sewing box corners on bags helps them look more professional while creating space for you to carry all sorts of things in them. And it also helps them sit flat when you’re not wearing them on your shoulder or as hand bags.
The size of the box corners is decided by you and your needs and it will affect how large and flat the bottom of your bags will be. When making square corners on my bags I use a measurement between 3″ and 5″.
Even though some bags are made flat, with no boxed corners and designed to carry just a few light items, you will definitely benefit from having a roomy bag with a flat bottom! So learning how to make a tote bag with flat bottom will always come in handy! Here’s how to box corners 3 ways.
Sewing Box Corners
Materials:
- 2 strips of fabric
- interfacing
- scissors
- ruler
- pins
- fabric marker or chalk wheel/pen
- thread
- sewing machine
Related links:
Make In A Day Sewing Project Kits
Sew Better Bags: The Weekend Duffel
Sew Smarter: 30 Professional Techniques
Bag-Making Basics: Reversible Tote & Zipper Pouch
Design Your Own Handbag Class
Sewing project kits around $20 or less, excluding shipping!
Making Leather Bags
Instructions:
Note: As this is for practice, I won’t be using precise measurements for the fabric strips. I cut 2 squares from my thick fabric I used to make these curtains and placed iron on interfacing on the back of each. All methods are illustrated in the video below, accompanied by written instructions right under the video.
Method #1:
- Place fabric right side together (RST)
- Pin sides and bottom and sew down
- In the bottom right corner, measure 2″ away from the side and the bottom seam and trace a square.
- Pinching the corners of this square, match the bottom and side seams.
- Press flat, arrange the seams so that one points to the right and the other to the left.
- Pin and sew down.
- Then either fold the flap down to give extra body and sturdiness to the bottom of the bag or simply trim it off.
- Turn bag right side out and push the corners out.
Method #2:
- Place fabric right side together (RST)
- Pin sides and bottom and sew down
- In the bottom right corner, measure 2″ away from the side and the bottom and trace a square.
- Using your scissors, cut out the square.
- Match bottom and side seam, pin and sew down with desired seam allowance (1/4″ should be fine).
- Turn bag right side out and push the corners out.
Method #3:
- This will give you a totally different outcome than the 2 methods above, but with the same effect. This method is mostly used for small items such as pouches and cosmetic bags, rather than on totes and hand bags.
- You will need a single strip of fabric for this method.
- Fold rectangle in half, right side out, and press.
- Measure 1 1/2″ away from the fold, mark, place a ruler over the fabric and fold one side over the ruler. Press using a pressing iron. At this point the rectangle should be wrong side out.
- Turn it right side out and repeat the steps for the other side of the rectangle. Now the whole rectangle should be wrong side out.
- Place fabric so the fold is at the bottom and raw edges at the top; pin sides and sew down.
- Turn bag right side out and push the corners out.
And you’re done! Now you know 3 awesome ways for sewing box corners! I hope I was able to help you learn something new and useful today. And if you liked my tutorial, I’d love to know it so please leave a comment below and don’t forget to rate it! Thanks!
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Evelyn Lisa says
Great post petro!
I’m truly excited to sew my box corners. surely I’ll follow your guidance.
Petro says
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you found my tutorial informative and easy to follow! xoxo