How to Avoid Saggy Bag Linings 

Now wait a minute! I am a 76 year old X Marine Corp male, a woodworker, a fisherman, who love to make leather bags, purses, belts and loves his beautiful wife, who told me about your videos. So maybe you need to start saying “OK Ladies and GENTLEMEN”. 😀

How fitting that you are using a miniature light sabre for trimming the threads on a star wars bag 👍

Thank you for this great tutorial! And THANK YOU for not skipping any steps, for us beginners that is very helpful! Love your tutorials! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

AHA! Thank you! I've been coming across the "saggy lining" issue recently and I really appreciate this video!

I want to thank you for putting this video together an out there. I have been all over the board trying to make bags and have them turn out right I was either getting them too frumpy or omg stiff. After watching this video I went out and purchased the items you used here and OMG it turned out so great. I am very new to sewing but bags seem to be my thing, lol and now I'm gonna love making them. Thank You so Very Much.❤❤

I enjoyed your technique for making the lining "fit". I had a smile on my face while I was watching... I've been making bags for 5 years and I believe I can always learn something new. Thank you for sharing your skills. I have subscribed.

From one detail oriented perfectionist to another - good job! Excellent tutorial!

Thank you! Once again a lovely tutorial simple and to the point. I really love watching your tutorials and learn so much. 😃😍

SO GLAD you did thid tutorial!! I used my own initiative when I made a little tote bag for my granddaughter, and basically did the same thing, because the lining was all baggy - that was before I saw your tutorial. Then I went searching to see WHY Tote Bags always looked like their lining was baggy!! So, THANKYOU!!! Very good tutorial, with all the basics covered here. Well done. I have been quilting for many years, but just lately been making some Tote Bags. Thanks from Sue in South Australia.

I am so glad you tube pays attention to what I have been watching and recommends other designers, that is how I found you. WhooHoo, so I have been watching tutorials for months as several months ago I made 3 different pouches and the linings were horrible and have been looking for ways to have the lining look and fit better. I am so new to this, however it really is so much fun!! So I decided to dive in again with a simple, but not so simple tote( I felt the need to add pockets inside/out and a tab inside for hanging keys, no zipper yet)!! I used your tutorial for the lining Thank you, thank you, and Thank you again, I can not believe how incredible the lining looks with the tote. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience with us.

you are so knowledable and detail oriented in your videos - thank you. I am just getting back into sewing and during Covid I have made a lot of project bags for my knitting friends and i was not happy with my linings, thank you for this tutorial, it will correct the problem. I haven't been putting interfacing in my linings, but will try the SF 101. Also enjoyed your video on linings. Keep making these wonderful videos.

Yes bag making lingo can be very interesting. Made a clutch for my daughter for her wedding. It actually said to “smash the seam, and use a hammer if needed, to get the bulk to fit under the presser foot”!!!! Thankfully the clutch turned out beautifully! And no hammer was required😂😂

2:31 Calif time. I’ve only watched one of your videos and knew I wanted to subscribe. Love love love your antics🤗 it works for me‼️ I watch a lot of sewing videos. This is first one I’ve seen on the saggy lining. Thanks‼️❤️

Thanks for explaining this!! I've just started sewing and have really falling in love with making bags! Your tutorial is going to bring me to the next level. THANK YOU

Finally, youtube catching on to what I really like to watch. Love your podcast , sewing instructions are perfect along with entertaining. Sewing bags are my favorite stay at home projects for unfinished knitted objects. Thanks! 🤩🤩

Every time you got that thread zapper, I found myself holding my breath. LOL. I had never seen one of those before!

I started doing this with my thread catchers because I do mine tote bag style. My linings were so saggy until I thought of just scooting the seam allowance in a bit. The only thing you have to be careful of is making sure your turning hole matches on the top and bottom or sewing it up turns out wonky

Wow. You had me a "stacking mixing bowls of the same size" -- something I had struggled with and tried to understand, and now it makes perfect sense. THEN you went and showed how you taper the opening of the bottom for reversing -- WHY OH WHY isn't that a vital part of every bag maker's repertoire?? Thank you.

You're really good at explaining this stuff, totally made my backpack project come to life! Thank you!

Agree! Top stitching makes all the difference. Worth it to take your time and sew a straight line.

Thanks so much for tip I had to learn the hard way by stitching exactly then putting in the bag then having to go back in to the lining and make the seam allowance larger. Came out great though

I’m new to bag making and this is the first time this was explained to me and didn’t leave me still clueless. Probably just because I jumped into sewing with both feet and without an actual “teacher” hounding the basics into me. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣 I was making smaller bags, about this size, and no matter what I was doing, the shape only looked right about half of the time. The way you’ve explained this so simply made so much sense to me! I still have a stack of smaller bags that are stopped halfway through because they were coming out so differently. Today’s task is going to be finishing them and getting them outta my UFO box keeping your method in mind. Thanks for sharing!

I love your sense of humor! Ive never laughed so loud watching a sewing tutorial ever lol!!!

My bag linings ain't saggin' no more! Thanks! Like the mixing bowl analogy!

5/26/23: This was a great tutorial, and one in which will save me when doing my linings because mine almost always come out being way too much extra. Thank you so much.

Well done; nice & clear explanations. For those of us inclined to forget things mid-project, I might suggest to just Cut the lining to reflect the video's changes, and then sew with your usual seam allowance throughout.

I love your videos. Not only are you a great teacher but you are so funny.....I always get a good laugh. Thanks we all need a little humor in our lives nowadays!

I really really love the intro of your videos. You really offer great Informative videos, really love it.

Your video was very helpful in making the liner fit in the tote bag I am making. You had me laughing as well, thank you!

I saw your video and I loved it. When I made my bags the liner was too much. I did what you shared and now they are great what you showed helped me make better bags. Thank you so much . I just found your videos a couple days ago and they are great

I'm watching this again 4 years later, and it's still so relevant. I finally have a habit of doing this on the sides, but for some reason, the top-to-bottom length still gets a little wonky - probably because I don't fold the bottom seam high enough. Thank heavens it's not immediately noticeable 😉 Weird to think how panicked we all were about lack of TP (and not much else) once the lock-down was in effect.

Very nice finish. I have made many tote. bags and yes the interior was always a bit saggy. I doubt anyone noticed but I did. Thank you so much

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I really needed this! Plus, I love your sense of humor. So happy I found you!

Another great video! Very helpful tips. Thank you, I feel like I am learning so much!

Would you please demo how to avoid a saggy bag lining on a boxed corner bag. Thank You.

For me, the best way is to stitch the lining taut to the outer (material + interfacing) I finish the raw seams with piping. This way the lining always stays taut and never bunches up.

I've just discovered you! Thank you so much for a great video. Best wishes from the UK.

RU-vid finally suggested one of your videos today. You are hilarious!

"We're getting married next Spring!"...😂😂

Now i want to remake all my bags with sad saggy linings. I didn't know this method before, what a great idea and demo.

Another great video! Thank you for sharing such great tips!

Yes that did help a lot. I've been learning to sew more these past few years of covid, to entertain myself. Yeah my life is boring too. 😴. I decided to learn to quilt, then make a bunch of other fabric projects, and also crocheting. But I didn't gain weight through all this. Actually lost 50 lbs. Can't eat when your touching fabric. But I gained 50 lbs of fabric.

Thank you for this! Your instructions made my totes much better, quicker to assemble with nice tight linings!

Really informative video!! Picked up some great tips. Keep up the great work!!

I wish i knew this before I started making my bags, but glad I am still learning , thank you👍

This is one of these things where I think, that’s so simple why didn’t I think of that! 😜. I have often as a beginner found the lining being baggy and I didn’t like it is just brilliant and I will use it from now on.thank you

I really enjoyed this. Learned a lot and left with a big smile on my face. Thank you!

Great video, very helpful just what I needed today

This is a good channel. I’m glad I found it.

Thank you so much for sharing your tutorials! Every one of your videos have made me a better bag maker.

Just love your videos! You are so uplifting 😊💕

Hi, I am Isabel. Thank you for your tutorials. I am a beginner bags making and it is difficult for me to understand all the materials we need and where to get them. I am in Spain and will try to get all your tutorials. Your explanations are clear to me. So, thank you so much.

Aha!!! Great example with the mixing bowls 😊....ok.....back to the video 📹

I have made grocery tote bags where the instructions didn't say to use a larger seam allowance..and I didn't care if the lining was a bit baggy. However, I just made my first purse (Swoon Ethel) and I thought it said halfway down to start enlarging my seam allowance. I think I even waited til it was 3/4 down before I made it smaller. Big mistake! My lining is a mess and now that it is topstitched, I don't think I can fix it without ripping it all out. Also in the pattern it said to leave your birthing opening on the side, I think I would prefer at the bottom. You can leave a larger hole there too. I am going to start birthing it via the zippered pocket lining instead because who really cares if the topstitched close of the opening is in that pocket? I added a zippered pocket to the bag Ethel, but didn't think to use that pocket opening to birth the bag... TY for your post.

Easily watchable on 2x speed.

So awesome. Glad u filmed sewing the opening.

Thanks for taking the time to do this. My biggest issue is excess lining at the bottom of the bag. Or where the sides meet the bottom panel.

In the past, I have tried taking a larger seam allowance on my linings, but I started at the beginning of the seam. Your tip for keeping the seam allowance at the top 1" of the lining, before tapering to a wider seam allowance makes so much sense! Will do this for sure. I somehow missed if you told us if you also use a larger seam allowance on the bottom edge of the lining (leaving an opening for turning). Thanks for the great video!

I definitely want to try interfacing both inner and out lining.

Hi!!! Loving these videos!!! I’m 3 years behind but catching up fast!! Thank you for these videos!!! Where can I get the thread zapper? 🤣🤣🤣

I had to pause and rewind to figure out if that was your cat meow-ing or mine! Haha AWESOME tutorial for the Tiny Tote which is totes adorbs. ;-)

Very informative.

Just found you ! I'm a fellow accessory maker and it is always nice to see other technique. Like "Oh , clever ! Will try that next time " 😲 I have to get use to the Imperial mesures , tho loll

Love this tutorial. Thank you. I am going to try this with my next bag.

Awsome, thanks so much for the clear explanation. Going to try this on my next Cool Time Lunch bag.

Thank you so much for sharing this. That is so snug. Love this advice, Just what I needed.

Love your instructions

OMG WHY didn’t the pattern I bought say this (it wasn’t one of your patterns)? I just finished a bag today, and it was so fugly inside! I’m saving this video so that the next time I make a bag, it will be pretty!

This sounds crazy even for me but I love the way your sewing foot "walks". So cute like a little robot. P. S. You are a very good teacher,❤ loved your videos ty

I'm going to try this it's a great idea thank you may be they may look better now

Loved the tutorial.

I Really like the "zappy thread thing"!

You have great tips!!! Thanks for the video's!!!

Lol first day subscriber again but so funny I have a thread zapper and never even thought to use it for sewing lol I used it for beading thank you again

Wow, this is going to help a lot, Thank You so much!

Again, best YT channel!

Thanks!!! Nice snug lining!!

Excellent tutorial Thks so much

Hi Maria from the UK,great tutorial,thank you

Thanks so much for this tutorial, very helpful! Also you have personality plus!

ahhhh got it!! THANKS

Loved the video! Sooo jealous that you have access to that fabric in the States! I CAN NOT find it in inside my customs zone... 😍

Love your videos! Very informative.

Great tutorial! Thanks!

You are so my people! Thank you from a newbie!

great mixing bowl annalogy

You are AMAZING!! You have just solved my problem!! Yes!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Love it!!

Brilliant! Great technique!

Great tip. Thank you.🥰

Love your videos!

What about a drop in lining made for a round Bottom bag gussets. Love your wit... peace.

Curious why you worked hard to get the lining corners pushed out when you really want them pushed in the other way so the fit the exterior when the lining is inserted into the bag, but you didn't push the exterior corners out at all that I could see.

You are hilarious and this was an amazing video!

If it helps I use a straight pin in the corners to tease them out if I can't get them out with the pointer or pushing. Thanks for the info!

I have a pattern that calls for cutting half inch off the top. I am going to test that with a small project.

I'm here for the thread zapper. Yep. All for that thread zapper. All seriousness, great video. Thank you.

Awesome info! Thanks!

Being a bag lady makes me happy and I’ve been trying to Learn as much as I can. Your videos are my favorite. I just found you. Or RU-vid just suggested you. I have a question though . . . I’ve been sewing since before you were a twinkle in your daddy’s eye and thought I knew everything. I’ve learned I can learn more. Why do you make a half inch seam and then cut back to quarter? Can’t I just make it a quarter? There must be a reason or you wouldn’t waste your time. I look forward you the “why” or a referral to a different video. Thanks muchly. 😉

The u for this video. Mine alwaysSeemed to end up baggy

Awesome Thxs much ✂️🧵