Learn how to design a pattern for a Japanese knot bag that is just the perfect size for your needs. Then, learn tips and tricks on how to make your own Japanese knot bags. Once you make one, you’ll make more in different sizes. Have fun with different fabric combinations, as each one is reversible!

What makes it a Japanese knot bag is the bag has two handles at different lengths. The longer handle slips into the short handle closing the bag and forming a knot. The finished bag is carried by the longer handle which keeps the bag closed, and the contents safe and secure.

This is a perfect beginner sewing project and people of all sewing skills.

What is a Japanese knot bag used for?

Traditionally, this type of bag is a reusable bag used for grocery shopping or carrying items purchased at a farmers markets. Use this as you would a tote bag.

In today’s world, this style of bag is perfect for anyone who struggles with fine motor skills, such as Parkinson’s disease. There are no clasps, zippers or other closures for this functional bag. Just loop one handle through the other and the bag is securely closed. You can make the bag handles longer or shorter, depending on how you want to carry the bag.

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Learn how to draw your own free pattern for a Japanese knot bag.

There are many patterns available for purchase, printable pdf versions, and paper patterns. I took the time to look at many of them and realized they are all about the same size. I wanted different sizes for different occasions. In other words, I wanted to make it mine. This is a super easy pattern to draw in the size YOU want.

I developed three (3) sizes for this bag. Note: This pattern has been designed for 1/2-inch seam allowances. The finished sizes are 1-inch smaller than the cut dimensions.

Small bag: Finished size 12-inches wide x 17-inches tall; cut dimensions 13-inches wide x 18-inches tall
Medium bag: Finished size 14-inches wide x 16-inches tall; cut dimensions 15-inches wide x 17-inches tall
Large bag: Finished size 18-inches wide x 25-inches tall; cut dimensions 19-inches wide x 26-inches tall

Here I’ll go through the basic steps for how I designed the small knot bag pattern. Use these same basic steps to make a bag any size you’d like, with whatever handle length you’d like!

Gather a piece of paper that is at least 1-inch larger in both width and height than the measurement of the bag dimensions above. I draft my own clothing patterns, so used I pattern drafting paper that already has 1-inch increments marked. Here I’ve marked the outside line dimensions for the small bag.

Japanese Knot bag small bag pattern basic rectangle drawn

Next, I like to draw the handles. For the small bag, I draw the cut line for the handles at 3-inches. For the medium and large size bags, I like a 4-inch cut line for the handles — it makes it a bit easier to handle, but the 4-inch width is too big for the small bag. Here I’ve drawn the 3-inch line for the longer handle. I drew it 8-inches long by 3-inches wide.

Japanese Knot bag small pattern longer handle marked

Next, draw the shorter handle. The second handle is 3-inches wide by 4-inches tall. This is a nice height to be able to loop the longer handle through. Any shorter and it isn’t easy to loop. I like making these bags for people with fine motor skill concerns, so easy to loop is important.

Japanese Knot bag small pattern shorter handle marked

Note that I’ve marked a line on the outside edge that is even with the opening of the bag, between the two handles. This will be an important mark when we are ready to sew.

Here are both handles marked on our bag pattern:

Japanese Knot bag small pattern handles marked

I like to curve the bag opening between the two handles. This is optional, but a curve here makes it easier to sew, and looks nice. I looked around my sewing space for something round. The embroidery hoop is perfect for rounding those edges! Don’t have an embroidery hoop? Head to your kitchen to find a bowl or plate!

Japanese Knot bag pattern round the inside of the handles using an embroidery hoop

The bottom of the bag can be rounded, or left straight. I’ve made both and like both. If you work with fabric on the fold, a straight edge is perfect! For this pattern, I made a bottom curve and used the handy embroidery hoop again.

Japanese Knot bag pattern add a rounded corner using an embroidery hoop

The small bag pattern is done and ready to be cut from the paper!

Japanese knot bag small pattern finished

Japanese knot bag small side 1 — Small size Japanese knot bag side 1

And, here is the finished medium Japanese knot pattern. You can see the handles are 4-inches wide. The shorter handle is 4-inches high, the longer handle is 7-inches high. This makes the body of the bag (the area that actually holds stuff) 14-inches x 8-inches (there will be 1/2-inch seam allowances).

Japanese knot bag medium side 1 — Medium size Japanese knot bag side 1

Japanese knot bag medium side 2 — Medium size Japanese knot bag side 1

And, here is the finished large Japanese knot bag pattern. You can see the handles are 4-inches wide. The shorter handle is 4-inches high, the longer handle is cut at 13-inches high. This makes the bag body (the area that actually holds stuff) 18-inches wide x 12-inches (there will be 1/2-inch seam allowances).

Japanese Knot bag finished pattern for large size

Japanese knot bag large side 1 — Large size Japanese knot bag side 1

Japanese knot bag large side 2 — Large size Japanese knot bag side 1

Here is our sewing tutorial for a Japanese knot bag:

One Japanese Knot Bag

How to Sew a Japanese Knot Bag

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Confident Beginner

Learn how to sew a Japanese knot bag with these step-by-step directions with photos. The asymmetrical handles loop inside of each other to make this a perfect bag for those with mobility issues.

Our Japanese knot bag tutorial is a great beginner sewing project.

Materials

Small bag: two pieces of fabric 13-inches wide x 36-inches tall
Medium bag: two pieces of fabric 15-inches wide x 32-inches tall
Large bag: two pieces of fabric 19-inches wide x 52-inches tall
Coordinating thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Pressing surface
Pins or clips
Optional: Removable Fabric Marker

Instructions

Draw your pattern using the directions above to make your own paper pattern. For the sewing directions, I made the medium size bag with the bottom on the fold.
Lay your pattern out on your fabric. You need four layers. It can be four fabrics or the bottom can be on the fold of the fabric.
Cut out all four layers. For this bag, I'm putting the bottom on the fold so there is not a bottom seam.
Using a removable marking tool or a pin, mark the side seam on all four layers even with the inner curve of bag. Here is a closeup showing the pins. This is marking how far up the side seams we'll sew the bag bottoms.
Take your pieces to your sewing machine. Sewing right sides together of the SAME fabric, sew from pin to pin to the bottom of the bag. If you have cut the bottom on the fold, sew from the pin to the fold. Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Make sure to backstitch at both ends. If you have rounded the bottom of the bag, sew from one pin all around the bottom to the other pin. Do this for both fabrics.
You now have your outer fabric and your lining fabric with the body of the bags sewn together. Press the side seams and corners. If you have made the rounded bottom, press all around both bag pieces.
These are the two bags that we will now sew together to make the reversible Japanese knot bag.
Now you are ready to sew the inner and outer layers together. Put right sides together with one bag inside the other. Since the bag is reversible, it doesn't matter, just that the right sides are together matching the inner fabric to the outer fabric. Pin the curved edge along the top edges. You want to make sure that the long handles match and the short handles match.
Sew the inner curve seam from the top edge of one handle with the wrong side of the fabric up, across the curve and up the other handle with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Clip the curves.
Turn the bag right side out through the outside handle opening.
Press the curve seam.
Then, press the handles with a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
Here are both handle loops pinned and ready to sew.
Sew this seam with a 1/2-inch seam allowance on both loops.
Press this seam open. I like to use a presser board inside to get it good and flat.
Next, match the outer fabric, the handle loop seam and the inner fabric and pin the outside seam.
Now that the inside curve and handles are complete, let's finish off the inside curve before finishing the handle loops. Using your topstitch foot, stitch about 1/4-inch from the edge. The top stitching secures the curves and closes the opening.
Fold each loop in half, turning in the seam allowance we pressed earlier, matching the side seams with both fabrics. Pin these to secure for stitching. Here is the shorter loop pinned and ready to sew.
Now we'll finish the outside edge of the handle loops for the reversible bag. Begin topstitching 1/4-inch from the edge at the side seam. NOTE: It is easier to start and finish at the side seam.
Continue stitching around the loop edge until to you reach the side seam again.
The bag is now complete! And, reversible. Give it a good final press and enjoy your new Japanese knot bag.
And, here is the other side of the reversible bag. To use the bag, loop the long handle through the shorter handle to close the top of the bag.

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Japanese Knot bag in three sizes — All three bag sizes from small to large

Why has this bag become popular with sewists?

You can make a Japanese knot bag any size you’d like, in just about any fabric. This sewing project generally takes an hour or less to make the bag. It has become popular with the versatility in fabrics and sizes, and how quick and easy it is to make. And, choose two fabrics you like to enjoy two bags in one! With this pattern, the bag is reversible!

What are the measurements for a Japanese knot bag?

The great part about making your own Japanese knot pattern is you can make it any size you’d like! I’ve developed three sizes:

Small: Finished body size 12-inches wide x 9-inches tall. This is perfect for a small bag to carry your phone, glasses and a few small personal items.
Medium: Finished body size 14-inches wide x 8-inches tall. This is wider which makes it easier to open to find the things you’ll be carrying.
Large: Finished body size 18-inches wide x 12-inches tall. This is a great size for going to a farmer’s market.

Japanese Knot bag all three sizes lying flat — All three sizes for the Japanese knot bag

What is the best fabric for a Japanese knot bag?

Almost any kind of fabric is good for making a Japanese knot bag. If you are using quilting cottons, I’d recommend using a light weight interfacing on your fabrics before cutting out your pattern. I used a canvas with a quilting cotton lining for the smallest bag. The other bags were made with a home dec printed canvas fabric for both layers of the bag.

If you use a light weight fabric without interfacing the bag still works and closes. If you are looking for a bag with more structure, use a light weight interfacing or a stiffer fabric like canvas.

Japanese Knot bag small finished on print side lying flat with a glasses case — Small Japanese knot bag with glasses case

Variations on the basic Japanese knot bag

The great part about making your own pattern for your reversible Japanese knot bag is that you can make it any size you’d like, curved or straight bottom to the bag, vary the length of the handles for your preferences.

You can use two fabrics like I have in the bags I made, or use four different fabrics and make sure there is a bottom seam to the bag.

Customize your own bag with your own fabrics, embellish your fabrics with embroidery or stitching either before or after making your bag.

This is perfect for eco-friendly gift wrapping! Or, use it as a project bag – just the right size for a ball of yarn and knitting needles or crochet hook!

Japanese Knot bag large finished flower side

Tips for making a Japanese knot bag

Choose fabrics that work well together. When the loops are interconnected, you can see the reverse fabric. Make it blend or make it stand out – make it yours! If you have one fabric that is quite a bit heavier than the other it is best to be the outside fabric. If you want the bag to be reversible, make the two fabrics similar weight.

A successful bag has the exact same size for both the inner and outer bag. Be careful cutting out your fabrics, and and making sure that your seam allowances are accurate.

If you are using a light weight fabric, like a quilting fabric, you may want to consider using a light weight interfacing to give the bag more stiffness.

Go ahead and have some fun making your own Japanese knot bag customized just for you! Make it the size you want with the features you want, in your fabric choices! Trust me, you won’t just make one!