Are you ready to create a stylish and practical chest bag from scratch? Whether you’re heading out for a walk, biking through town, or just looking to keep your essentials close at hand, a chest bag is the perfect accessory. Even better? You can make your own using a beautiful quilt and a simple quilt pattern! In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through every step — from gathering materials to adding your personal touch — so you can craft a one-of-a-kind quilted chest bag that combines fashion and functionality.
Why Make a Quilted Chest Bag?
A quilted chest bag is more than just a fashion statement. It’s a lightweight, comfortable, and hands-free way to carry your phone, keys, wallet, or other small items. Making one yourself means you can match it to your favorite outfit, repurpose old fabric, or experiment with that quilt pattern you’ve been saving for something special.
Creating your own quilt chest bag is also an excellent beginner-friendly sewing project. You don’t need to be a seasoned quilter — just basic sewing machine skills and a little creativity will do the trick. Plus, it’s a fun way to practice quilting techniques on a smaller scale, perfect if you’re not quite ready to commit to a full-size quilt.
In this tutorial, we’ll guide you step by step through creating your own custom bag. The process includes quilting your fabric, assembling the bag pieces, and finishing it off with a zipper and adjustable strap. Let’s dive in!
Materials You’ll Need
Before getting started, gather all the materials you’ll need. Below is a complete list to help you prepare:
- Outer fabric: two quilted panels (or make your own using your favorite quilt pattern)
- Lining fabric: lightweight cotton or coordinating fabric
- Batting: thin cotton or polyester batting for quilting
- Zipper: 10–12 inches long
- Webbing or strap: adjustable, around 1 yard
- Plastic buckle or clip for the strap
- Thread: matching or contrasting color
- Sewing machine with a zipper foot
- Rotary cutter, cutting mat, and quilting ruler
- Pins or clips
- Fabric marking pen
- Iron and ironing board
Optional but recommended: edge binding for a clean finish, fusible interfacing for added structure, and decorative patches or embroidery for personalization.
Step-by-Step: Creating the Quilted Fabric
The first part of this project involves creating the quilted outer fabric. You can either use pre-quilted fabric or create your own using a favorite quilt pattern.
Start by selecting two pieces of fabric — one for the outside and one for the lining — and place a layer of batting between them. Use safety pins or fabric clips to hold the layers together, then quilt across the surface in the pattern of your choice. You can follow a grid, try free-motion quilting, or even trace a specific quilt pattern design.
Once the quilting is complete, press the fabric flat and trim it down to the size needed for the chest bag panels (usually about 10 x 7 inches for the front and back). Don’t worry if your lines aren’t perfect — the quilting adds charm and texture that gives the bag its handcrafted personality.
Cutting and Shaping the Bag Pieces
With your quilted fabric ready, it’s time to shape your chest bag. Begin by cutting the front and back panels of your bag to the desired size. You can create a simple rectangle, or add a curved top for a more sporty look.
Next, cut the lining pieces to match the shape and size of your quilted panels. If you’d like additional structure, add a layer of fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the lining fabric and press it into place.
You’ll also need to cut a small piece of quilted fabric for the bottom of the bag (approximately 2 x 7 inches) and two side panels (about 2 x 5 inches). These dimensions can vary depending on how wide or deep you want your bag to be.
Sewing the Main Body
Now it’s time to sew your quilted panels together! Begin by attaching the side panels to the front piece, right sides facing. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance, and make sure your quilting lines are aligned for a neat look.
Next, attach the bottom panel to the side pieces, and then sew the back panel in place to complete the body of the bag. It’s okay if things look a bit bulky — the quilting will give the bag a soft, padded texture that feels sturdy and comfortable to wear.
After the outer shell is assembled, repeat the process with your lining pieces, but leave a small opening in the bottom to turn the bag right side out later. Keep your seams clean, and trim any excess fabric to reduce bulk at the corners.
Installing the Zipper and Strap
Attaching the zipper can seem intimidating, but don’t worry — with a zipper foot and a little patience, it’s a breeze. Lay your zipper face-down along the top edge of the front panel and stitch it in place. Then, attach the lining to the same seam, sandwiching the zipper in between. Repeat for the other side.
Once both sides are sewn, topstitch along the zipper to give it a clean, professional look and prevent the lining from catching in the teeth.
For the strap, measure the length you need to comfortably wear the bag across your chest. Cut the webbing, thread it through the plastic buckle, and secure the ends by stitching them to the bag’s side seams or using strap tabs. If you’d like, you can make your own strap using quilted fabric for an extra personalized touch.
Personalization Ideas for Your Chest Bag
Now comes the fun part — personalizing your quilted chest bag! One of the biggest advantages of making your own is adding your unique flair to the design.
Consider choosing a bold quilt pattern with colorful blocks or patchwork elements. You can also embellish your bag with iron-on patches, hand embroidery, or applique to match your style. Add a decorative zipper pull, charm, or even a small outside pocket for extra utility.
If you’re working with scraps, this is a great way to use up leftover quilting materials. Mix and match colors, textures, and prints for a boho or eclectic vibe. You can even make seasonal bags — think festive fabric for holidays or florals for spring.
Final Touches and Finishing Up
With all components sewn together and personalized to your liking, it’s time to finish your bag. Turn the entire piece right-side out through the opening you left in the lining. Carefully press all edges and corners into shape.
Close the opening in the lining with a small topstitch or by hand using a ladder stitch. Give the entire bag a final press with your iron to smooth out any wrinkles and help the seams settle into place.
Now take a moment to admire your work! You’ve just completed a stylish, functional quilted chest bag. Whether it’s your first sewing project or your fiftieth, finishing a handmade bag like this is always a rewarding experience.
Share Your Quilted Chest Bag with the World
Congratulations — you did it! You’ve crafted your very own quilted chest bag from start to finish. Whether you followed a simple quilt pattern or added elaborate embellishments, your bag is a reflection of your creativity and effort.
Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your finished project on social media or with your favorite quilting community. Use hashtags like #QuiltedChestBag, #QuiltPatternProject, and #DIYQuiltBag to connect with fellow makers. Inspire others to try this project and see what amazing designs they come up with.
And remember — every stitch you make is part of your quilting journey. Keep creating, keep experimenting, and most of all, have fun with it!