Accessory Bag Teaching Tool

This project can also be viewed in the Costume technology section of
USITT's Creative Teaching Website

The objective of this project is to teach basic sewing skills. Each student cuts, marks, and stitches an accessory bag to learn basic sewing skills needed to work in the costume shop. The bag can then be used for wardrobe. My impetus for developing this project was two fold: as a teaching tool and to build a better accessory bag.

This accessory bag has 11 pockets. Four of those pockets are pleated or gathered to allow shoes to fit into them easily. There is a vinyl pocket in which an index card with the actor's name can be placed. The card cannot fall out and tape, which can damage the bag, and safety pins, which are time consuming, are not necessary.

The bag takes the average student just under 20 hours to complete. In addition to the skills listed below, there is the option of adding snap and hook and eye closures to the larger pockets.

Skills Taught Using this Project
  • Grainline
  • Pattern Markings
  • Seam Allowance
  • Serging
  • Whip Stitch
  • Slip Stitch
  • Catch Stitch
  • Hand Basting
  • Machine Basting
  • Stitching Curved Seams
  • Using Interfacing
  • Clipping and Notching
  • Top Stitching
  • Gathering
  • Elastic Casing
  • Threading Elastic
  • Button Hole
  • Darts
  • Bias Tape Facing
  • Fabric Facings
Materials Needed:
  • 2 yards of 45 wide fabric
  • 4" x 6" Clear Vinyl
  • 1 yard of single-fold bias tape
  • Marking Tools
  • Scissors
  • Needle &Thread
  • Hanger
  • Sewing Maching & Serger

Download this Project

1/4" Scale Pattern Pieces
The pdf file below contains 1/4" scale patterns for all the pieces needed to complete this project. Click on the link to download the file.

Project Instructions
The pdf file below contains the day-by-day instructions you will need to follow and complete this project. Click on the link to download the file.