Autumn 2026 Bag Trends, and how to sew your own
If you’re thinking about making a new bag this autumn, there are some lovely shapes coming through for Autumn/Winter 2026. I’ve been looking at the bag trends for the coming season and, as always, I’m interested in which of them translate well to the sort of bags we actually like to make.
There are some very wearable shapes around this year, including oversized bags, bowling bags, curved shapes and the East-West bag. What I particularly like about these trends is that they translate really well into bags we can make ourselves using cotton and canvas. There’s no need for specialist equipment or industrial sewing machines. With the right pattern and fabric, these are all bags that can be made on a domestic sewing machine.
So, I’ve picked out some of my favourite autumn bag trends and found patterns that will let you make your own version, using fabric that you can choose to suit your style. Some of the patterns are available to buy directly from Tuesday’s Child Fabrics, while others are PDF patterns available directly from the pattern designer. I’ve included links to both, so you can find the pattern and fabric you need to make each look.
The East West Bag
One of the key bag shapes for Autumn/Winter 2026 is the East West bag.
It’s a fairly simple idea. Instead of a bag being taller than it is wide, the proportions are turned around. An East West bag is longer across the body, with a relatively shallow depth, giving it that elongated shape.
You may already recognise the shape from the baguette bags that have been around for a few seasons. For autumn 2026, we’re seeing the idea develop into a wider range of bags, from shoulder bags to more structured styles.
The proportions give you something a little different from the usual tote or bucket bag, without making it impractical.
Image from Oro Rose website: https://ororosapatterns.com/products/cassiopeia-east-west-bag-pdf-pattern
Make your own East West bag
For this one, I’ve chosen the Cassiopeia East West Bag from Oro Rosa Patterns.
The clue really is in the name with this pattern. It has the elongated proportions we’re looking for, whilst still being a very usable everyday bag.
The Cassiopeia is available as a PDF pattern directly from Oro Rosa Patterns, so you can download the pattern and get started
For the fabric, I’d pair it with Ruby Star Society Speckled Canvas in Navy Blue, available in the shop.
The navy works particularly well for an autumn bag. It’s dark enough to feel seasonal, but a little softer and more interesting than black, and the subtle speckled print gives the canvas some texture without overwhelming the shape of the bag.
Bring timeless style and subtle metallic detail to your next sewing project with Speckled Canvas in Navy from Ruby Star Society. This beautiful cotton canvas features the signature Speckled design, with delicate metallic gold flecks scattered across a classic navy background, making it a perfect choice for stylish bags, home décor and modern sewing projects.
Made from 100% cotton canvas, this fabric has the durability needed for structured projects while remaining easy to sew on a domestic machine. It works beautifully on its own or paired with coordinating Ruby Star Society quilting cottons.
Key Features:
Ruby Star Society Speckled Canvas collection
Colour: Navy
Metallic gold speckle design
100% Cotton Canvas
Approx. 112cm (44") wide
Medium to heavy weight
Durable with a soft handle
Ideal for bag making, home décor and accessories
Perfect For:
Tote bags
Project bags
Purses and pouches
Cushions
Storage baskets
Aprons
Home décor projects
Bag panels and accents
Ordering Information:
Fabric is sold by the quarter metre.
Quantity 1 = 25cm (metric fat quarter)
Quantity 2 = 50cm
Quantity 3 = 75cm
Quantity 4 = 1 metre
Multiple quantities will be supplied as one continuous length wherever possible. If you would prefer a long quarter rather than a metric fat quarter, simply leave a note at checkout.
Please note that while every effort is made to photograph fabrics accurately, colours may vary slightly between screens. Metallic printing may show slight natural variations, which are part of the manufacturing process.
Because we’re using canvas and this particular shape benefits from having some structure, I’d also consider adding a couple of layers of woven interfacing. This will give the bag some real body and help it hold that lovely elongated shape, rather than relying on the canvas alone.
I think this is a good example of how you can take a current fashion trend without having to make something that looks like it belongs on a catwalk. Choose a pattern with the right proportions, choose a fabric you love, and you have a bag that feels very current but is still something you’ll actually want to use.
The Bowling Bag
The bowling bag is another shape that has been making its way back into fashion, and it’s a particularly good one for us because there are plenty of versions that can be made in cotton and canvas. Bowling Bags have been appearing on the catwalk and in shops for the last year or so, and the current versions are perhaps a little more architectural.
There’s something very appealing about the shape. A curved top with a flatter base gives the bag a slightly retro feel, but it also looks very current.
Quilted bags are also still having a moment, and this is where I think this pattern works particularly well. Quilting adds texture and structure to a bag, while giving us another way to use our favourite quilting weight fabrics in a project that is a little different from a traditional quilt.
Make your own bowling bag
Sunshine Sisters Handbag pattern by Knot + Thread Design is a quilted handbag, with a zipper closures and handles. Use the bag as an everyday bag. It also makes the perject bag to tote your iron to your sewing class.
The pattern comes in three sizes.
Sizes:
Small - 6 ½ inches x 9 ½ inches x 4 inches (~16.5cm x 24cm x 10cm)
Medium - 8 inches x 12 ½ inches x 4 inches (~20cm x 31cm x 10cm)
Large - 9 ½ inches x 15 inches x 4 inches (~24cm x 37.5cm x 10cm)
For this trend, I’ve chosen the Sunshine Sisters Handbag by Knot + Thread Design, which you can buy as a printed pattern from Tuesday’s Child Fabrics.
The pattern comes in three sizes, so you can choose the version that suits how you want to use the bag.
It also has that lovely curved top and flatter base, giving it the bowling bag shape we’re looking for.
For this one, rather than reaching for canvas, I’m going with a softer cotton/bamboo quilting weight fabric and make it in Sun Stripes Senora from Fableism Supply Co.
Sun Stripes is a stunning range of fabric from Fableism Supply Co.
The dark green and amber tones in the Senora colourway are sure to make a stunning bag to wear with many outfits.
This wonderfully soft fabric is 60% cotton and 40% bamboo.
The Senora colourway combines dark green and amber, which makes it a particularly good choice for an autumn bag. The stripes will also give you plenty to play with when you’re quilting and constructing the bag. Rather than the fabric simply being a background, the stripes become part of the design of the finished bag.
And with three sizes to choose from, there is plenty of scope to make this pattern your own. The smaller version would make a lovely compact handbag, while the larger version gives you a much more generous everyday bag.
Side bonus, I think this bag shape would make a great iron carrier for sewcials!
The Half Moon Bag
Half moon and crescent shaped bags are another big shape for Autumn/Winter 2026. We’re seeing everything from small, structured bags to much more relaxed, slouchy shapes, but the thing they all have in common is that lovely curved silhouette. This is a shape which is persisting in the fashion world over the last few years.
For this one, I’ve chosen a pattern that has been a bit of a cult classic in the sewing world for some time now: the Bestie Bag from BF Patterns.
If you’ve been around the online sewing community for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a Bestie Bag. It has been incredibly popular since its launch and it’s still going strong, which I think is a pretty good indication that this is more than a pattern that had its moment and disappeared.
I LOVE my Bestie and use it regularly. It has been everywhere with me, from festivals to everyday life, and it’s one of those bags that just works. It’s a proper useful carry all, but the curved shape and crossbody wear makes it much more interesting than your standard everyday tote.
The Bestie is a banana shaped carryall, with different views and sizes so you can choose the version that works for you. It can be worn crossbody or over the shoulder, making it a very practical interpretation of the half moon trend rather than a tiny handbag that looks lovely but doesn’t hold very much.
Interestingly, the fashion world is moving away from the classic crossbody this season. Crossbody bags have been less prominent in the AW26 shows, with shoulder bags, larger bags and bags designed to be carried under the arm or by hand being more obvious. (I’ll look at bags to be carried under the arm or by hand in another post).
So yes, the Bestie is technically a crossbody, but I think it still deserves its place here. The shape is such a strong match for the curved bag trend, and unlike some of the smaller fashion versions, it is totally practical. For me, that matters much more. I’d rather make a bag that looks current but that I can actually use every day. Plus, as I say, it’s a cult classic in our wonderful sewing community - it’s here to stay!
Make your own half moon bag
Image from Blackbird Fabrics website: https://www.blackbirdfabrics.com/collections/bestie-bag-pattern/products/bestie-bag
The BF Bestie Bag is available as a PDF pattern directly from Blackbird Fabrics.
For my fabric choice, I’d go for Ruby Star Society Reimagined Landscapes Canvas in Watercress, designed by Jen Hewett, available in the TCF shop.
This is quite a different look from the first two bags in this article. Rather than the understated speckled navy of the East-West bag or the autumnal stripes of the Sunshine Sisters, this has a much stronger, more graphic pattern and gives us a chance to really show what a printed canvas can do.
And it is also a great autumnal pick. The rich Watercress green works beautifully for this time of year, while the overlapping circular design gives the fabric a modern, graphic feel. I think it would look particularly good following the curve of the Bestie, where the print becomes part of the shape of the bag rather than simply sitting on a flat panel.
Ruby Star Society Reimagined Landscapes canvas in Watercress, designed by Jen Hewett, is a beautifully textured cotton-linen fabric, ideal for bag making and accessories. The cotton and linen blend provides durability and structure while remaining soft and easy to sew.
The design features a repeating pattern of overlapping circular shapes, creating a modern, graphic look. The Watercress colourway brings rich green tones to the design, making it a striking choice for handmade bags and accessories.
This lightweight canvas has more body than standard quilting cotton while still being flexible and easy to work with. It’s a popular choice for bag makers who want a fabric with a little structure without the heaviness of traditional canvas.
Perfect for:
Tote bags
Crossbody bags
Pouches and organisers
Project bags
Storage baskets
Fabric Details:
Designer: Jen Hewett for Ruby Star Society
Collection: Reimagined Landscapes
Colourway: Watercress
Composition: 70% Cotton / 30% Linen
Width: approx. 110cm / 44"
Weight: approx. 230 gsm
Fabric is sold by the metric fat quarter (approx. 50cm x 55cm).
Multiple quantities will be cut as one continuous length where possible.
This is a lightweight cotton-linen canvas, with more body than a standard quilting cotton but still enough flexibility to work easily with. At approximately 230gsm and made from 70% cotton and 30% linen, it gives us some structure without the weight of a traditional heavy canvas.
I particularly like this combination because the Bestie is already such a recognisable shape. You don’t need a complicated fabric treatment or lots of embellishment. Let the curve of the bag and the print do the work.
It’s also a nice example of a pattern that was popular in the sewing world before the curved bag shape became part of the current fashion conversation. You aren’t making a trendy bag because the pattern happens to be fashionable this year. You’re taking a much-loved sewing pattern and giving it a very current look with your choice of fabric.
The Oversized Slouchy Bag
Big bags are definitely having a moment for Autumn/Winter 2026, and this is one trend I’m particularly pleased to see. After years of bags getting smaller and smaller, the pendulum is swinging back the other way towards bags that you can actually put things in. Properly oversized, soft and slouchy bags are all over the autumn collections this year. And if you know me, you know I love a large tote.
For this one, I’ve chosen the Origami Bag from Motif Studio. It’s a slightly different take on the oversized bag, with its clever folded construction creating a really interesting triangular shape. It’s not a pattern I’ve made yet, but it’s high up on my stupidly enormous sewing plans list.
The pattern comes in two sizes, and it’s the larger version that I’d choose for this trend. It’s a big, roomy shoulder bag that would be just as useful for a day out as it would be for carrying everything you but at the farmers’ market (because we never leave with just one thing, right?).
Make your own oversized bag
Image from Motif Studio website: https://www.motifstudiopatterns.com/products/origamibag
The Origami Bag PDF Pattern from Motif Studio is available directly from the designer.
For this one, I’d keep the fabric simple and let the construction of the bag do the talking. My choice would be Cloud9 Canvas Solids in Fatigues, a lovely khaki green canvas from my shop.
This is quite a change from the fabrics I’ve chosen for the other bags. We’ve had speckled navy, autumnal stripes and a bold graphic print, so here I’d go for a solid colour. The muted khaki is one of those colours that works brilliantly through autumn and winter, and it allows the unusual shape and folds of the Origami Bag to really stand out.
And this is also where we get two trends for the price of one. The large Origami Bag gives us the oversized look, but the soft construction also fits neatly into the move towards slouchier, less structured bags this season.
This is a Cloud9 solid cotton canvas.
It is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The solid colour works well alongside many other solids or patterned canvas.
It’s also the sort of bag that makes a lot of sense for those inbetween autumn days when you genuinely don’t know whether you need a jacket or not. The forecast says sunshine, you leave the house without one, and then the temperature drops. With a bag this size, your lightweight jacket can happily sit in there until you need to put it on.
I also like this one from a practical sewing point of view. The pattern is designed to be beginner friendly and the designer rates it 2 out of 5 for difficulty, with a sewing time of around one to two hours. Quick win (let’s get it off my to make list and onto my shoulder!)
The large version does need around two metres of outer fabric, so this is one where you get to make something properly substantial rather than another little handbag. And because we’re using canvas, the finished bag should have enough body to hold its shape while still keeping that relaxed, slouchy feel that is so current for autumn.
The Soft Slouchy Bag
We’ve already looked at the oversized, slouchy end of the trend with the Origami Bag, but you don’t need to go big to get that relaxed look which is everywhere at the moment. Soft, slouchy bags are another strong direction for Autumn/Winter 2026, and there are plenty of smaller, everyday shapes that give you the same easy feel.
For this one, I’ve chosen the Runaround Bag from Noodlehead, available from the TCF shop as a printed pattern.
It’s a really useful everyday shoulder bag, with a relaxed shape that makes it easy to wear and practical for everyday use. It’s also a relatively straightforward make, with a lined construction, internal pockets and a magnetic snap closure, so this is a good option if you want to make something practical without taking on a particularly complicated bag making project.
Make your own soft slouchy bag
As I said, the Runaround Bag pattern from Noodlehead is available from Tuesday’s Child Fabrics.
For the fabric, I’d choose Imprint: Print Patch Dark Brown.
The Runaround Bag is a perfect beginner sewing pattern.
Use the Runaround Bag to run errands, and know you’ll have everything you need to hand.
With this pattern you’ll create a lined bag with bias bound edges, two interior pocketss and a magentic snap closure.
Add a modern touch to your next bag making project with Print Patch Dark Brown Canvas from the Imprint collection by Cloud9 Fabrics.
Featuring a hand-block print-inspired geometric design in warm dark brown tones, this durable canvas is perfect for creating stylish bags and accessories with a professional finish.
Key Features:
Imprint collection
Print: Print Patch Dark Brown
Manufacturer: Cloud9 Fabrics
100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Canvas
Approx. 237 g/m² (7 oz canvas)
Approx. 112cm (44") wide
Durable canvas with a soft natural handle
Ideal for bag making and accessories
Perfect For:
Tote bags
Handbags
Crossbody bags
Project bags
Purses and pouches
Fabric baskets
Bag panels
Bag pockets
Ordering Information:
Fabric is sold by the quarter metre.
Quantity 1 = 25cm (metric fat quarter)
Quantity 2 = 50cm
Quantity 3 = 75cm
Quantity 4 = 1 metre
Multiple quantities will be supplied as one continuous length wherever possible. If you would prefer a long quarter rather than a metric fat quarter, simply leave a note at checkout.
Please note that while every effort is made to photograph fabrics accurately, colours may vary slightly between screens.
This brings us back to a printed canvas again, but it’s a very different look from the Reimagined Landscapes we used for the Bestie. The dark brown background and graphic print have a lovely autumnal feel, while the small-scale pattern works particularly well on an everyday bag.
I think this is one of those fabrics that gets better with use too. The print gives it plenty of interest without being so bold that it dictates what you can wear with it, and the darker colour makes it a very practical choice for an everyday autumn bag.
The softer, relaxed shape of the Runaround also means that the fabric doesn’t need to be doing all the work. There’s no need for a highly structured finish or complicated construction. The combination of a useful pattern and a really good canvas gives you a bag that should become one of those things you reach for without thinking.
And that’s really the appeal of the slouchy bag. It doesn’t need to be precious. It’s a bag you can throw over your shoulder, fill with the things you need for the day and get on with it, while still looking very current for autumn 2026.
Five Bags, Five Ways to Wear the Trends
So there we have it. Five current bag shapes, five very different patterns and five quite different ways to use fabric.
The thing I like most about looking at fashion trends from a sewing point of view is that you don’t have to follow them literally. You can take the shape or idea that appeals to you and then make it your own with your choice of fabric, colour and finish.
And that’s where making your own bag really comes into its own. You can choose a bold print when the shape is simple, keep the fabric understated when the construction is doing the talking, add quilting for texture, or choose a substantial canvas when you want your bag to have some structure.
Most importantly, these aren’t just fashion bags that look good in a photo for Insta. They’re bags you can actually make and use. Whether you want a structured East West bag, a quilted bowling bag, a curved Bestie, a huge autumn carryall or a soft everyday shoulder bag, there’s a pattern here to get you started.
And, of course, once you’ve chosen your pattern, the really fun bit is choosing the fabric!
