Mystery Bag Tutorial

Posted by Karla Norgaard: knorgy@earthlink.net

I found this pattern in an old sewing book at the library. I thought it would work well for a mystery bag or a pouch for something in the classroom. It works well because it can stand up on the shelf.

First measure the circumference of your basket. This + 1" will be the width of your fabric. The height of your fabric will be the height of the finished bag + 2 1/2".

Sew the side seam of the pouch with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Fold one end of the tube in toward the wrong side 1/2" and press. Use heavy duty thread doubled on the needle to sew the folded end of the fabric to the top of the basket.

Turn the fabric right side out and press the top edge down into the tube 1/2" and sew. Fold over 1" and press. Sew a seam close to the folded edge.

Stitch over the side seam near the top and bottom edge of the fold, going back and forth several times. Use a seam rippper to rip the side seam between the two stitches you just made.


Use a safety pin to thread a ribbon through the top of the bag. Tie the ends of the ribbon together and cut off the excess. You may need to burn the edges of the ribbon with a lighter to prevent them from unraveling.