Ideas for Lining Crochet Bags and Purses

While many crochet bags create admiration for having colorfulness and intricate stitches, they draw hesitation for sagging when heavy objects are placed in them and for containing openings between the stitches that small items will fall through. From my experiences crocheting a variety of bags including string bags and totes, I have discovered that the solution to crafting a fully-functioning crochet bag is to add lining. A few ideas for lining crochet bags are described.

Eco-friendly Polypropylene Bag Lining

Polypropylene bags are light-weight "green bags" commonly used for supermarket shopping. They make an excellent lining for crochet cotton string bags and crochet acrylic drawstring totes. This idea works best when you use a polypropylene drawstring back pack (found in craft stores) as explained below.

Note: Crochet the strap as a separate piece that will be attached after the lining is added.

Steps:

* Cut two slits along the upper sides of the polypropylene drawstring back pack and sew around the openings.

* Insert one end of the crochet strap through a slit on the polypropylene drawstring back pack and a top opening of the crochet string bag, double the strap under at two to three inches, and sew the edges of the doubled strap together. Repeat for the opposite end of the strap.

* If your polypropylene drawstring back pack is not designed with drawstring holes at the top, punch four evenly spaced holes around the top edges of the back pack.

* Untie the drawstring at the bottom of the polypropylene drawstring back pack and insert the drawstring through both the holes at the top of the polypropylene drawstring back pack and the corresponding openings at the top of the crochet string bag.

Note: If using a crochet drawstring tote bag (non-string bag), make eyelets at the top sides of the tote one inch wide by skipping about 10 stitches. Straps can then be inserted through these openings and the slits of the polypropylene drawstring back pack.

Satin, Nylon, Polyester, or Cotton Fabric Lining

When you want to line fancy, miniature crochet drawstring sacs, satin and nylon fabric lining are ideal. The process involves measuring the circumference and height of the crochet sac, turning the crochet sac inside out, and hand sewing the top and bottom of the sac and the lining together.

Felt Lining

When it comes to girls' crochet granny square purse lining, felt works great.

Steps:

* Trace the crochet granny square purse over a matching felt sheet twice.

* Hand sew the front and back edges of the crochet granny squares (on the wrong side) and felt sheets together.

* Sew on snaps to close the purse.

In the end, the results of adding lining to your crochet bags are staggering. For one, the polypropylene drawstring back pack lining idea is highly effective in preventing your beautiful crochet bag from losing shape as it provides support. Then, the felt and cloth lining serve as a great shield for girls' crochet purses so that tiny objects won't slip through the openings between the stitches.