Free pattern
Lined tote bag
14 × 14 in body; flat, no boxed base
Confident beginner
Allow 2–3 hours (planning estimate)
Cutting chart & steps ↗Patterns
Scrunchie
A little piece of fabric can become a useful gift. Start with one rectangle and follow the steps.
Free pattern · Make it your own
- Finished size
- Fabric tube about 21 × 1.75 in before gathering
- Skill
- Beginner
- Time
- Allow 30–45 minutes (planning estimate)
- Seam allowance
- 0.25 in, included in cut sizes
Drafted from measurements by the SewingCritic team. We have not yet photographed a sewn sample.
Would you like the printable pattern?
The PDF includes the chart, steps and full-scale layout sheets.
What do you need?
Light woven cotton. Avoid thick fabric that will crowd the elastic.
9 in of 1/4 in wide elastic; matching thread; safety pin; hand needle.
Check the needle and thread chart
| Size / fabric | 44 in | 58 in |
|---|---|---|
| Standard · main | 0.25 yd4 + 2 = 6 in; round up to 1/4 yd | 0.25 yd4 + 2 = 6 in; round up to 1/4 yd |
We reserve 2 in of width for selvedges. Place pieces left to right in chart order, starting a new row when the next piece does not fit. Each row uses the longest piece in that row. Add 2 in handling to the total cut length, divide by 36, and round UP to the next 1/4 yd. Pieces do not rotate. No shrinkage allowance is included. Prewash before measuring usable fabric. Directional prints can need more.
Which pieces should you cut?
All sizes are inches. Cut single layers unless the instructions say otherwise. Seam allowance is already included.
| Piece | Quantity | Width × length | Seam allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | |||
| Scrunchie strip (main) | 1 | 22 × 4 in | Included |
How do you lay out the pieces?
These diagrams use the chart dimensions and keep the grain parallel to the long fabric edge. Rectangles do not rotate. PDF large-format pages are 100%; for home printing use the chart. The stocking also includes four Letter-size template tiles.
Standard · main
How do you sew it?
Prepare the strip
Prewash and press. Cut 22 × 4 in. Press each short end under 1/4 in, wrong sides together.
Sew the tube
Fold lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch the long raw edge with a 1/4 in seam. Backstitch at both ends. Turn through a short end using a safety pin; press gently.
Thread the elastic
Secure one end of the 9 in elastic with a pin. Feed the other end through the tube. Keep both ends outside and remove all twists.
Join the elastic
Overlap ends by 1/2 in; sew a small rectangle through the overlap, keeping the fabric clear. The elastic loop is about 8.5 in before stretching.
Close the fabric
Overlap the pressed fabric ends by 1/2 in and slip stitch all around the tube opening. Do not stitch through the elastic. Spread the gathers evenly.
What can you change?
Use two 11.25 × 4 in strips joined with a 1/4 in seam to make one 22 × 4 in strip. Use smooth woven fabric before trying slippery satin.
What could you make next?
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Beginner
Allow 1–2 hours (planning estimate)
Cutting chart & steps ↗
Free pattern
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Small 6 × 8; medium 10 × 12; large 14 × 16 in
Beginner
Allow 1–2 hours (planning estimate)
Cutting chart & steps ↗
Free pattern
Christmas stocking
15 in high; opening 5 in flat; angular toe
Confident beginner
Allow 2–3 hours (planning estimate)
Cutting chart & steps ↗
Free pattern
Half apron
26 × 20 in including waistband; two 33 in exposed ties
Beginner
Allow 2–3 hours (planning estimate)
Cutting chart & steps ↗Which sources did we use?
- SewingCritic original measurement draftsoriginal draft; arithmetic, no sewn sample · read 2026-11-04