Do We (Always) Really Need a Pattern?

Most people are used working with patterns for bags, whether it's their own or purchased ones. But there are ways to cut fabrics without the actual pattern.

I started without patterns, believe it or not. Because my first bags were a simple rectangle. So how did I do it and when does this issue apply?

Number one is, knowing that everything you make the pattern with, the drawing on the pattern's material, can be done on the fabrics themselves, while drawing with the chalk on the wrong side of the fabric. It's true whether you draw a simple rectangle or a shaped bag. So just so you know it's possible. The shaped bag is of course when you already know how to make a pattern yourself.

And when you want a simple rectangle, there are rulers that can help you perform a perfect rectangle. Those can be quilting rulers. A T-ruler is great and I also use it when making a pattern. But you can directly mark the lines on the fabric.
When making the bag's straps, for example, you don't have to make a long and annoying pattern piece for it. You can draw on the fabric a perfect strip using a T-ruler. I do it all the time!
To use a T-ruler, you attach the top part (the T part) to the side of the cutting mat/table that has the fabric on it, and you simply mark straight lines along with it. It's really simply and you're making sure it's straight. You now have a long strip of fabric for strap(s)!

There are also many kinds of quilting rulers, that will make sure you're not only marking straight, but also in the right and same measurements. There are square ones that you can use to make a squared piece of fabric. Or different kinds of Aristo rulers, like triangles. It will also make sure you're straight-lining. There are also quilting rulers for round pieces.

To make the right size of the fabric piece, you can use a measuring tape. I've done that. You simply mark the starting point, whether it's in your head or on the fabric, put down the tape on the fabric and keep going along with the measurements for all sides, marking small lines by the tape, with the same measurements; you then (or during) take a simple ruler and go over the small lines you marked, like connecting the dots, if you will.

Find your own way to make bags without patterns. These are the tips I can give you. You just need to use a little imagination, and know you don't HAVE to make a pattern.

NOTE: if you don't know how to make patterns yet, go over to the pattern tutorials on the left sidebar, it might help you with this tutorial!