25 Essential Supplies for Your Bag Making Projects

Welcome to our curated list of essential supplies for bag making projects!

Whether you’re making bags for yourself, giving them as gifts, or selling your beautiful creations, having the right tools and materials is super important. Sure, scissors, rotary cutters, and sewing machines are the basics, but we’ve found some specialized items that can make your work easier, more precise, and give it that professional touch.

In this guide, you’ll find 25 essential supplies to boost your bag-making skills. These tools will help you work more efficiently and make every bag you create a true masterpiece. Let’s dive in and see how these essentials can take your sewing game to the next level!

1. Double-Sided Adhesive Tape
   • Holding fabric pieces together
   • Positioning zippers before sewing
   • Securing trims and embellishments
2. Walking Foot (dual foot)
   • Sewing through multiple layers of fabric/interfacing
   • Preventing fabric shifting
   • Ensuring even stitching on thick or slippery fabrics or sticky fabric like faux leather/vinyl
3. Teflon Foot
   • Sewing sticky materials like vinyl or faux leather
   • Ensuring smooth fabric feed
   • Preventing fabric from sticking to the presser foot
4. Heat Erasable Pens
   • Marking fabric with lines that can be easily erased with an iron
   • Making temporary marks for placement or sewing guides
5. Masking Tape/Painter’s Tape
   Used as a guide for stitching lines on challenging materials, such as faux leather or dark-colored fabrics.
   TUTORIAL:
   Sewing grids on faux leather

   

6. Thread Snips
   • Quickly and cleanly cutting threads
   • Trimming small areas
   • Making precise cuts close to the fabric
7. Temporary Adhesive Spray
   • Temporarily bonding fabric layers before sewing
   • Holding interfacing or batting in place
   • Securing fabric pieces without pins
8. Jeans Needles
   • Sewing through thick or dense fabrics like denim, or multiple fabric/interfacing layers
   • Reducing needle breakage on heavy materials
9. Hera Marker for Marking Sewing Lines
   • Creating crease marks without leaving residue
   • Marking sewing lines

     
10. Heavier Thread for Topstitching
    • Adding decorative and strong stitches
    • Enhancing the durability of seams
    • Creating visible, professional-looking topstitching
11. Polyester Thread for General Sewing
    • Providing strong and durable seams
    • Minimizing thread breakage
12. Clips

    For heavyweight layers, working with clips rather than pins is easier.
13. Bias Tape for Covering the Raw Edges
    • Finishing raw fabric edges neatly
    • Adding decorative elements to seams
    • Providing extra durability to bag edges
14. Clear Vinyl for See-Through Pockets
    • Creating transparent pockets for visibility
    • Protecting items from moisture
    • Adding a modern, functional design element
      TUTORIAL
      Tips for sewing clear vinyl
15. Faux Leather or Vinyl
    • Reinforcing the top edge of slide pockets or zipper overlays
    • Adding a stylish and durable touch to bag designs
    • Providing extra strength to high-stress areas
      TUTORIAL:
      How to sew a zipper overlay
      How to sew zippered faux leather pockets
      
16. Interfacing of All Kinds (Light, Medium, Heavy Weight)
    • Adding structure and stability to the fabric
    • Reinforcing bag components
      TUTORIALS
      The best interfacing for bags
      Choosing foam for sewing bags
      My favorite interfacing for pouches
      Interfacing guide for bags
17. Nylon Zippers
    • Providing smooth and durable closures
    • Offering flexibility for various bag designs
    • Available in different lengths and colors
    • Easy to sew over zipper teeth
18. Zipper by the Yard
    • Customizing zipper lengths for specific projects
    • Reducing waste by using only what you need
    • Providing continuous zippers for larger projects
19. Webbing for straps
    • Sewing strong straps quickly and easily
      TUTORIALS:
      How to sew webbing straps
      Two color straps
20. Magnetic Snaps for Closure
    • Providing easy and secure bag closures
    • Adding a professional touch to your bag designs
    • Ensuring quick access to bag contents
      TUTORIAL:
      How to install magnetic snaps
21. Plastic Snaps
    • Securing pockets and flaps
    • Adding colorful and functional closures
    • Easily installed and durable
      TUTORIAL:
      How to install plastic snaps
22. Hump Jumper
    • Sewing over thick seams without the presser foot getting stuck
    • Ensuring even stitching
    • Preventing needle breakage

      I don’t have this tool but I plan to make one myself- stay tuned!

23. Awl or Hole Punch
    • Making precise holes for installing rivets, grommets, or snaps
    • Marking fabric for hardware placement
24. Hammer and Anvil Set
    • Setting rivets, grommets, and snaps securely
    • Flattening seams
    • Adding hardware to bags
25. Heavy-Duty Snaps and Rivets
    • Securing closures and straps
    • Adding decorative hardware elements
    • Providing extra strength to high-use areas