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Learn how to sew a french seam to fabric and create a lining to sew onto a crochet bag or pouch with this photo and video tutorial.
So often we want to add a lining to a crochet bag or pouch that doesn’t have a zipper. And of course, you want to have the lining look neat and last a long time.
Well, the french seam allows you to have a lining where the edges of the fabric don’t fall apart and everything looks neat and professional.

As a crocheter who might not sew a lot, I created this very detailed video tutorial for you. It shows step by step how to sew a french seam easily – by sewing machine or by hand.
You will simply need 2 pieces of fabric that are about the size of your crochet bag or pouch. Then you will sew a french seam. And then choose whether to show off the french seam or hide it between the crochet pouch or bag and your lining (the opposite side of your lining).
In case you are interested in making a lining with a zipper, please check out this tutorial where I show you how to do that step by step.
Here are some crochet bag patterns you can try to add a lining using the french seam tutorial.
How to sew a French Seam to make a Lining for a Crochet Bag/Pouch
You will need:
- needle and thread
- sewing machine, optional
- fabric (2 pieces which are a bit bigger than size as your crochet bag or pouch)
- scissors
- cutting board and rotary cutter and ruler
- crochet/knitting bag or pouch used for lining
Instructions:
This written tutorial is a summary of the very detailed video tutorial below. Please watch the video first before reading the written instructions as a summary. The video shows how to sew the french seam with a sewing machine but you can also do it all by hand.
First, cut 2 pieces of fabric a bit bigger than the crochet bag or pouch. Pin the wrong sides together such that they face each other.
Sew around in a U-shape about 1/4 to 3/8 inches in seam allowance and then cut the corners off a bit.

Next, flip the pouch inside out, iron it flat and pin it again.

Sew around the same U-shape with a slightly bigger seam allowance. You now made a french seam where the ends of the fabric are hidden inside a seam.

Turn it around and you will have the french seam on the inside if you want to show off the pretty side from the outside.
But if you want to add the lining to a crochet bag I would suggest having the french seam hidden. I would also suggest that you fold over the opening edge double such that the edge of the fabric is hidden. Then sew over (I mention how to do that in the video below as well).

Here is a close up of how the french seam looks like:

The video tutorial goes into a lot more details and shows off the instructions a lot better. Please check it out.
Video Tutorial: Sew a French Seam to make a Lining for a Crochet Bag/Pouch
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