How to Make a Cute Boho-Style DIY Sling Bag Out of an Old Skirt

Tools and materials:

• Skirt 
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Book
• Marking or tailor’s chalk
• Iron
• Skewer or chopstick

1. Measure the bag size

This is a cute skirt but I think it would be even better as a sling bag!

It’s best if this skirt is a sturdy or heavy fabric so your DIY sling bag can hold many things.

Measure the size you want the bag to be. I want it to be able to hold a book. 

I used a book to determine the size I want the bag to be. Lay the book against the fabric and mark the size.

2. Cut the pattern

Cut the center seam where the zipper is located.

Unpick the zipper and open the fabric so it lays flat. 

Measure the area you want to cut and cut it out. Fold it up and then fold down the flap to get the exact look you want the bag to have. Mark that spot on the wrong side of the fabric.

I definitely want the seam at the bottom of the bag so I positioned the bag in a way that allows me to keep the seam intact.

3. Sew up the bag

One side of the bag already has a finished hem. So, I sewed a hem on the raw side so that they're even. Next, I sewed up the side seams to the marked area. 

Flip the bag inside out so the right side is facing up. Iron the bag so it is as flat as possible, paying special attention to the flap. That’s the part everyone will see.

The flap’s edges are a bit rough and raw on the one side so I hem it as well to match the dimensions of the sewn bag.

4. Make the shoulder strap

Measure the length you want the shoulder strap to be. I like it over the shoulder, with the bag part resting near the hip. I cut a strip of fabric that is 46 inches long by 4 inches wide. 

Fold the strip, right sides facing together, in half lengthwise. Pin in place and sew down as close to the edge as possible using a straight stitch. Leave the short ends open. Use a long stick like a skewer to flip the strap so its right side is facing outside. 

5. Attach the straps

Affix the shoulder straps on the inner seams at the top of the bag by pinning and sewing them in place.

DIY sling bag tutorial

Isn’t this so cute? How simple is it to make a DIY sling bag out of a skirt! Please comment below if you’re planning on making this bag or share photos of your own DIY sling bags!