How to Sew a Lining in a Bag

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Whether you've sewn your own tote bag or purchased one, adding a lining can make the bag look more polished. A liner can also protect the inside of the bag from damage so it lasts longer. Decide if you want to sew a liner that you push down into a bag or if you'd like to sew the liner onto the wrong side of the bag before turning it out. Either method gives you a professional-looking lined tote bag in no time at all!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making the Lining

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  1. For example, if you're lining a market bag or tote, pick a sturdy cotton fabric or blend that can withstand a lot of use. To line a small clutch or purse, you might use a rayon or polyester blend fabric, since these are soft and shiny. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Measure the bag that you want to line and add 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) to the measurements. Then, cut 2 pieces of lining material that you'll sew together to create the lining. [4]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Arrange the pieces so the edges line up perfectly. If you're making a large liner, pin every 3 inches (7.6 cm) along the edges to hold them in place. To make a small liner, just pin the corners. [5]
    • If you're using a patterned fabric, stack the pieces so the right sides are facing in and sew the wrong side of the fabric.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Use your sewing machine to straight stitch down each of the sides and along the bottom, leaving a 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) seam allowance. [6]
    • If you used pins along the sides, remove them as you stitch so you don't sew over them.

    Tip: If you're sewing a liner made of lightweight fabric, you can sew it by hand. Keep in mind that the stitches may not be as sturdy as the ones made by a machine, so it's better to use a machine if the lining will get a lot of use.

  5. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    If you'll be sewing the liner onto the bag and pulling the bag out, it's important to leave a space for getting your hand down into the bag. To do this, leave a gap in the center of the bottom edge of your liner. [7]
    • Feel free to make a larger gap if you have large hands.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Dropping the Lining into a Stiff Bag

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    If you'd like to line a bag that holds its shape, plan on pushing the liner in and sewing the edges. Although you can use drop-in liners on many bags, they're especially great for rigid bags made of fabric that doesn't bend easily. [8]
    • For example, use the drop-in liner for woven tote bags or clutch bags made from stiff material.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Keep the bag that you are lining right side out and fold the top edge in towards the middle of the bag. Make the fold 3 ⁄ 8 inch (0.95 cm) wide to give you a seam allowance. Then, iron across the folded line so the fabric stays in place. [9]
    • The right side of the bag is the patterned side.
    • Turn your iron to the setting that's recommended for the type of fabric you're working with. For example, if you're ironing a cotton bag, use a hot iron.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Take the liner and turn it so it's wrong side out. Then, fold the top of the liner in towards the wrong side by 3 ⁄ 8 inch (0.95 cm). Iron along the folded fabric so the crease holds its shape. [10]
    • If you're using a liner that has a pattern, the pattern should face the inside once you've turned the liner wrong side out.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    The right side of the bag should be visible from the outside and you'll see the right side of the liner when you look into the middle of the bag. [11]

    Tip: Now is a good time to decide how you'll attach handles to your bag. You can either sew a fabric strip to the outside of the bag or sandwich the ends of the strip between the liner and bag fabric.

  5. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Once you've arranged the fabrics so the seams match, push a sewing pin horizontally through them to keep the materials from sliding around. If you don't want to use pins, use small fabric clips to hold the liner and bag in place. [12]
    • If you're sewing the handles between the liner and bag, push them into place and pin them as well.
    • To sew a large bag, you can also pin every 4 inches (10 cm) around the sides of the bag to keep the liner from slipping down.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Use your sewing machine to sew straight stitches across the top so the liner joins with the fabric. Once you finish sewing, your bag is ready to use! [13]
    • Remove the pins from the bag as you stitch around the bag so you don't accidentally sew over them and damage your machine.

    Tip: Although you can use a standard sewing foot, an edge joining foot makes sewing the edge even easier. Simply line up the edge of the footer with the fabric to automatically sew an 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) seam.

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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Sewing a Turned-Out Liner into a Bag

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  1. Since turned-out liners don't need to be as exact as drop-in liners, they're great for beginner sewers. The turned-out lining method works best for bags that don't have to hold their shape perfectly. This allows you to bend, scrunch, and adjust the bag and lining fabric. [14]
    • For example, use a turned-out liner for market bags, soft totes, or flexible purses.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    You'll stuff the bag into the liner before you turn it out, so leave the bag right side out. Take the liner that you made for the bag and pull the material so it's inside out. [15]
    • Remember that the right side of the fabric has the pattern, while the wrong side doesn't have the pattern visible.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Slide the bag inside the turned-out liner and it into the corners. Line up the top edges of the bag with the liner and stick a sewing pin horizontally through each of the side seams. [16]
    • If you sewed handles onto the bag, push them down between the side of the bag and the liner so they're out of the way.
    • Use fabric clips if you don't want to stick pins into the bag.

    Tip: If you're sewing a large bag, insert sewing pins about every 3 inches (7.6 cm) around the top of the bag.

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Take your pinned project to the sewing machine and straight stitch along the top. Leave at least a 1 ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) seam allowance as you go. When you finish sewing around the bag, make a few backstitches and cut the thread. [17]
    • Remove the sewing pins as you stitch around the bag so you don't accidentally sew over them.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Find the gap that you left at the bottom of the liner and put your hand through it. Keep hold of the liner with one hand and use your other hand to grab the bag. Then, pull the bag through the gap. [18]
    • Don't stuff the liner back down into the bag just yet.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Lining in a Bag
    Fold the gap in the liner so it lines up with the edge that you just sewed. Then, sew close to the edge as you stitch the gap closed. Push the liner down into the bag. [19]
    • If you have an edge joining foot, use this to get a very close seam.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the best fabric for lining a bag?
    Alessio Iadicicco
    Apparel Manufacturing Specialist
    Alessio Iadicicco is an Apparel Manufacturing Specialist based in Dallas, Texas. He was the CEO and Co-Founder of MarkersValley, an online apparel and manufacturer sourcing platform that connects luxury fashion brands to a network of highly-vetted, truly Italian manufacturers. After 6 years building MarkersValley, he transitioned into a career as a SBA Lender, currently working as VP of the SBA Business Development Office at U.S. Bank. Through this role, he helps small business owners secure the SBA funding they need to thrive. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economy and Management of Financial Enterprises from The University of Naples Federico II. MarkersValley has connected fashion brands in over 100 countries and has a network of over 100 independent Italian factories and artisans. MarkersValley has been featured in Forbes, EQ, St. Louis Business Journal, Il Mattino, and Corriere Della Sera.
    Alessio Iadicicco
    Apparel Manufacturing Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Use a cotton or synthetic acrylic that does not come off, otherwise the seam might break.
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  • Question
    What fabric is best for bags?
    Alessio Iadicicco
    Apparel Manufacturing Specialist
    Alessio Iadicicco is an Apparel Manufacturing Specialist based in Dallas, Texas. He was the CEO and Co-Founder of MarkersValley, an online apparel and manufacturer sourcing platform that connects luxury fashion brands to a network of highly-vetted, truly Italian manufacturers. After 6 years building MarkersValley, he transitioned into a career as a SBA Lender, currently working as VP of the SBA Business Development Office at U.S. Bank. Through this role, he helps small business owners secure the SBA funding they need to thrive. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economy and Management of Financial Enterprises from The University of Naples Federico II. MarkersValley has connected fashion brands in over 100 countries and has a network of over 100 independent Italian factories and artisans. MarkersValley has been featured in Forbes, EQ, St. Louis Business Journal, Il Mattino, and Corriere Della Sera.
    Alessio Iadicicco
    Apparel Manufacturing Specialist
    Expert Answer
    The outer fabric shouldn't be too light or the bag won't hold up. With this in mind, use materials that are thicker than 1 mm, like heavy cotton, hemp, linen, eco-leather, or textured fabrics.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • Choose a neutral-colored fabric if you want the liner to blend into the bag. For a liner that really stands out, choose a bold, brightly colored fabric.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Sewing machine
      • Bag
      • Lining fabric
      • Scissors
      • Ruler or measuring tape
      • Fabric clips
      • Iron
      • Ironing board

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      References

      1. ↑ https://sewguide.com/best-lining-fabrics-for-clothes/
      2. ↑ Alessio Iadicicco. Apparel Manufacturing Specialist. Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.
      3. ↑ Alessio Iadicicco. Apparel Manufacturing Specialist. Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.
      4. ↑ https://sewguide.com/best-lining-fabrics-for-clothes/
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=83
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=222
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=296
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=47
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=74
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=89
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=107
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=151
      4. ↑ https://sewguide.com/edge-joining-foot/
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=271
      6. ↑ https://sewguide.com/messenger-bag-pattern-tutorial/
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=356
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=435
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=496
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/g41AQoub8io?t=559

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