Step by step, sew a Japanese knot bag: prepare a simple pattern, choose two fabrics, cut four pieces, join the handles and lower body, turn the bag right side out, and close the opening by hand.
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Translated
Things you will learn
The shape is based on two handles of different lengths: the long handle passes through the short one and forms the knot.
Because the inner side shows in use, the source recommends choosing two fabrics that work together by colour or print.
Cut four pieces, join the paired handle sections, sew the body lines, then turn the bag through the long handle.
The source and discussion include variations: a solid bag with contrast embroidery, leather or faux leather, longer shoulder handles, and short fur with fabric on the reverse side.
What you will make
You will make a soft Japanese-style knot bag: simple in construction but unusual in shape. It is carried by passing the long handle through the short handle. Part of the inside fabric remains visible, so the two-fabric combination becomes part of the design.
Materials and tools
Materials
Two coordinating fabrics, The inside will be visible because of the bag shape.
Matching thread, For machine seams and hand-closing the turning opening.
Pattern paper, The pattern can be found online and printed, or drawn by hand.
Leather or faux leather, Optional source variation for a more polished accessory.
Short-pile fur plus fabric for the reverse side, Optional winter version from the discussion.
Tools
Sewing machine, For the main seams and the topstitching around the straps.
Iron, Press the seams well before continuing the assembly.
Hand-sewing needle, For invisibly closing the opening after turning.
Scissors or rotary cutter, For cutting the pattern and the four bag pieces.
Pins or clips, Help align the pieces and hold seam allowances.
Preparation
Prepare the pattern
The source does not include a downloadable pattern or measurements. The author says the pattern can be found online and printed, or drawn by hand because the shape is simple. Before cutting, identify which handle is long and which is short.
Choose two fabrics
Pick two fabrics that coordinate by colour or print. This matters because the inside of the bag will show, and the contrast or matching print becomes part of the design.
Prepare the pattern and cut the pieces
First get the simple knot-bag shape and cut four fabric pieces.
Print or draw the pattern
Prepare the knot-bag pattern. The source photo shows a rounded body with two handles of different lengths; no ready file is attached, so choose the scale for the bag you want.
The pattern has a rounded body and two handles of different lengths.
No measurements in the source
I am not adding exact centimetres because the original tutorial does not give them. Before cutting fabric, check the paper pattern scale against yourself or a bag you already like.
Cut four pieces from two fabrics
After choosing the two fabrics, cut four bag pieces. Make sure the pairs mirror correctly and the prints look good together: in this bag, the reverse side will be visible.
Cut four mirrored pieces from two fabrics that work together.
Join the handles and main lines
First assemble the paired pieces and the main marked lines, then turn the work through the long handle.
Sew the paired short edges of the long handle
Sew each pair of pieces along the short edges of the long handle. Then join all four pieces along the lines marked in the source photo.
The marked lines show which sections are sewn first.
Check the marked lines
The photo with green markings shows which sections are sewn at this stage. The remaining sections must stay available for later assembly and turning.
Turn through the long handle
Turn the bag right side out through the long handle. Work gently so the narrow handle areas do not stretch and the layers do not twist.
Turn gently through the long handle so the layers do not twist.
Press the seams
Press the seams well. For this design, pressing matters: the handles and upper edge need to lie flat before the next seams.
Shape the top and topstitch the straps
After turning, the work starts to look like a bag with two handles.
Fold the short edges together and stitch
Fold the bag at the short edges and stitch. Then check the intermediate shape: two handles and the rounded body sections should be visible.
Fold the short edges together before stitching.At this stage the two handles and rounded body are visible.
Topstitch all around the straps
Topstitch in a continuous round along the full length of the straps. This stabilises the handles and defines the bag shape.
Topstitching stabilises the handles.
Sew the bottom and close the opening
The lower part is sewn by matching identical prints, then the almost-finished bag is turned through the side edge of the short handle.
Match the lower sections with identical prints
In turn, fold together the lower bag sections made from the same print and sew them. Do not twist the pieces; match each fabric side to the same fabric.
Match the lower sections made from the same print.Stitch the bottom while keeping the fabric sides matched.
Turn through the side edge of the short handle
Turn the nearly finished bag through the side edge of the short handle. Keep this opening until the end; closing it too early makes the shape hard to turn neatly.
Keep this opening until the final turning step.
Do not close the opening too early
The opening at the short handle is needed for turning. Close it only after the bag is fully turned and smoothed.
Fold in the allowances and hand-stitch the opening
Fold the opening allowances inward and close the opening by hand. Try to make the stitch invisible because the side edge of the short handle remains visible.
Close the opening invisibly by hand.
Wear it as a knot bag and choose a variation
The final feature is the long handle passing through the short one. Fabric and handle length can be adapted.
Thread the long handle through the short one
Carry the bag by passing the long handle through the short handle. This creates the characteristic knot shape.
The long handle passes through the short handle to form the knot.The visible inner fabric becomes part of the design.
Choose material and handle length for your use
The source shows a solid version with contrast embroidery and suggests leather or faux leather. In the discussion, the author also recommends adapting the model to your height — for example, lengthening the handles so the knot bag can be carried on the shoulder. A winter version with short-pile fur and fabric on the reverse side is also discussed.
The source shows solid, embroidered, leather, and faux-leather ideas.Longer handles adapt the bag for shoulder carrying.
From the discussion
Longer handles and the fur version come from the discussion, not from the main step-by-step instructions. Treat them as ideas for adapting the finished pattern.
Finish and variations
Finish
Final check
The long handle should pass freely through the short handle, the handles should not be twisted, the opening at the short handle should be closed by hand, and the visible inner fabric should look intentional.
Variations
Solid bag with embroidery
The source suggests a solid fabric version with contrast embroidery as the accent.
Leather or faux leather
The author mentions leather and faux leather as options for a more polished accessory. Try this after making the basic fabric version.
Longer handles or short fur
From the discussion: the author likes a version with longer shoulder handles, and readers suggest a winter version with short-pile fur and fabric on the reverse side.
The finished bag feels too large, or the handles are uncomfortable for your height and carrying style.
Likely cause
The source gives no fixed measurements; the pattern is meant to be found or drawn independently.
How to fix it
Check the paper pattern on yourself before cutting. Following the author’s discussion advice, adapt the model to yourself; one option is to lengthen the handles for shoulder carry.
The visible lining looks out of place
Problem
After turning, the second fabric is visible but does not work with the main fabric.
Likely cause
The design feature was not planned: in this bag, the wrong side becomes decorative.
How to fix it
Choose the two fabrics together: by shared colour palette, related prints, or deliberate contrast. If unsure, place the fabrics together and view them as handles before cutting.
The pieces will not turn after the first seams
Problem
The work gets stuck or does not take shape after the four pieces are joined.
Likely cause
The wrong handle sections were sewn, or a section needed for turning was closed.
How to fix it
Return to the photo with green markings and check the seam lines. Do not close the side edge of the short handle until the final turning step.
The bag bottom is twisted
Problem
After sewing, the lower part looks skewed or different prints are joined to the wrong sides.
Likely cause
The lower sections were not matched by identical prints, or the layers rotated before stitching.
How to fix it
Before machine stitching, lay the bag flat and match the lower sections with identical prints. Pin or clip them, then sew.
Leather, faux leather, or fur is hard to turn
Problem
Thick material creates bulky seams, the handles are hard to turn, and the opening is difficult to close neatly.
Likely cause
Leather, faux leather, and fur versions need a thickness test, while the basic tutorial is shown in fabric.
How to fix it
Use fabric for the first attempt. If using fur, follow the discussion idea: short pile plus fabric on the reverse side. For leather or faux leather, test a small seam and turning sample first.
?FAQ
Where can I get a Japanese knot bag pattern?
The source says the pattern can be found online and printed, or drawn by hand. No file or measurements are attached, so check the scale before cutting.
How many pieces do I need to cut?
After choosing two fabrics, cut four bag pieces.
Why should the two fabrics coordinate?
Because of the construction, the inside will be visible. The two fabrics should work together by colour or print.
How is this bag carried?
Pass the long handle through the short handle and carry the bag by the long handle. This creates the characteristic knot shape.
Will this bag suit a petite person?
In the discussion, the author says petite height is not a problem: choose or adjust the model for yourself. One option is longer handles for shoulder carry.
Can I sew it from leather, faux leather, or fur?
The source mentions leather and faux leather, and the discussion suggests short-pile fur with fabric on the reverse side. For a first attempt, fabric is safer because thick materials are harder to turn.
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