Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Check out this free tote bag pattern from J Caroline Creative! It’s designed for heavy use, with extra fabric reinforcing the botton and straps that won’trip off. Get the pattern, and while you’re there be sure to check out all the fabric, notions, and hardware they offer.
[tags]sewing, tutorial, tote bag, purse, bag[/tags]
If there’s one topic that makes sewists uncomfortable faster than sewing zippers, it’s pricing. Not how to sew the item — but how much to charge for it once it’s finished.
Most people don’t struggle with making handmade items. They struggle with putting a price on their time, skill, and effort without feeling awkward, guilty, or worried they’ll scare buyers away.
If you’ve ever thought:
“I’m not good enough to charge that much,”
“People won’t pay handmade prices,”
or “I’ll just price it low until I get better,”
you’re not alone. But you’re also not doing yourself any favours.
Let’s talk about how to price handmade sewing items in a way that’s fair, realistic, and sustainable — without undervaluing yourself.
Underpricing doesn’t just affect your income. It affects your motivation, your confidence, and how seriously buyers take your work.
When handmade items are priced too low:
Ironically, pricing too low can make selling harder, not easier.
Handmade sewing items aren’t competing with mass-produced factory goods. They’re competing with thoughtfulness, quality, and care — and those have value.
One of the biggest pricing mistakes beginners make is charging only for materials.
Fabric, thread, zips, interfacing, labels, packaging — these are your base costs. But they’re only the starting point.
You also need to account for:
Even if you enjoy sewing, your time still counts.
A simple rule:
If someone else had to make this for you, what would you expect to pay them per hour?
Many sewists worry that because their items are “simple,” they don’t deserve higher prices.
Straight seams, basic construction, minimal shaping — these are often seen as beginner skills. But from a buyer’s perspective, simplicity is often a feature, not a flaw.
Simple items are:
A well-made tote bag, table runner, or pouch doesn’t lose value because it’s simple. It gains value because it works.
You don’t need complicated spreadsheets to price handmade sewing items.
A beginner-friendly formula looks like this:
Materials + (Hourly rate × Time) + Fees = Price
Your hourly rate doesn’t need to be high — but it does need to exist.
Even a modest rate acknowledges that your time matters.
And remember: pricing isn’t permanent. You’re allowed to adjust as you learn.
This mindset feels sensible, but it causes long-term problems.
When you price low “for now,” you:
Your skill will improve through repetition, not through underpricing.
Selling handmade items is a skill too — and pricing fairly is part of learning it.
Most buyers don’t analyse your stitching technique.
They’re paying for:
They want something useful, well made, and ready to use — not a bargain-bin price.
When you price confidently, buyers feel more confident too.
It’s smart to look at what others charge — but don’t use comparison as a weapon against yourself.
Instead of asking:
“Why are they charging more than me?”
Ask:
There is room for different price points. You don’t need to be the cheapest to be successful.
Selling handmade items should feel rewarding, not exhausting.
If your prices don’t allow you to:
…they’re too low.
A sustainable price keeps you sewing longer — and consistency is what builds sales over time.
Instead of asking:
“Is this worth what I’m charging?”
Ask:
“Would I be proud to sell this?”
If the item is:
Then it deserves a fair price.
You don’t need permission to charge what your work is worth. You just need to believe that your time, effort, and creativity matter.
Because they do.
Book Review – Sewing to Sell – The Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Craft Business
Selling your handmade items? Here’s how to figure a fair price.
thank you for the tote bag pattern
Hi, i need one sample bag.
i need a bag for my sisters friend. i am only a teenager but people are begging for one of my bags. any really cute bags would be good, because im charging $30 for the bag.
love it!
This is exactly what I’m looking for! I’m off to start making it RIGHT NOW!!! Thanks very much! Michelle
I made this bag and it was so easy and quick to make. The result was outstanding. Thanks for the pattern
Due to a back injury, I now have to use a cane and walker. I would like a pattrn for making a tote bad that I could attach to my walker. Can you help Thank you.
This may sound like a rather stupid question, but I am trying to print a free pattern for a tote bag. I downloaded the pdf file as instructed, but there is no way I can find to print it out.
Bonnie, When you open the PDF in Adobe, there should be an option to print. Usually it’s an icon with a printer, but it may vary depending on which version of Adobe you’re using. –Anne
can someone please send me this pattern. I bought the supplies per the website but can’t find the pattern now.
I too had problems finding the tutorial as her website is currently (permanently??) down. However, thanks to my friends at google, I found the tutorial on another website for this tote. Here’s the link: http://patternpile.com/sewing-patterns/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/J-Caroline-Tote-Bag-Tutorial.pdf
Happy sewing!
Geri-
Thanks so much for providing this link for the tutorial and putting an end to a frustrating search!
Any way to still get this pattern? I’ve made a couple but it looks like the pattern has been removed. Thanks!
Hello. Is this pattern still available? The link does not work. Thanks!