How to line a crochet bag: the complete guide with 3 techniques

"How do I line my crochet bag?" is one of the questions we hear most often. The lining is the final step. It turns a pretty bag into a truly finished bag: it protects your work, adds structure and makes it usable every day. Does this step stress you out? No panic. In this guide you will find the right fabric, the materials and three step-by-step techniques. Plus a shortcut for those who do not want to sew at all.

Which fabric should you choose for a bag lining?

Choose the fabric before picking up scissors and pins. Not every fabric works. You often see bags lined with fabric scraps from shirts or dresses, or with light chiffon. They look nice, but daily use wears them out. And replacing a worn lining means unpicking everything. We put everything in our bags, from car keys to scissors: the lining must withstand thousands of stresses without giving way.

That is why the most reliable choice is Ottoman cotton: its weave gives it a strength designed for bags, with a clean and elegant look.

Ottoman lining in pure cotton
The high-strength fabric designed for bags, in many colours to match your yarn.
Discover the Ottoman lining →

You will find all cotton lining fabrics in the dedicated category: cotton fabrics for bag linings.

Ready-made lining or DIY?

Before moving on to scissors and needle, an honest question: do you really want to sew the lining from scratch? If the answer is no, there are ready-made linings. They are pre-sewn bags sized for crochet bags. You attach them with a few stitches along the edge. The result is professional and it takes minutes.

Ready-made lining with inner pocket
Pre-sewn, with a handy pocket: insert it and stitch it along the edge.
Discover the ready-made lining →

Ottoman cotton inner bag with drawstring
The pouch-style lining with drawstring closure: practical and very quick to fit.
Discover the Ottoman inner bag →

All the ready-made options are in the lining bags category. Do you prefer the full DIY experience? Keep reading: time to sew!

Adhesive and stiff linings

Besides sew-in fabrics there are adhesive linings, in two versions. The single-sided one sticks on one side only. It stiffens the bag and comes in several colours: you can leave it visible. The double-sided one sticks on both sides. It is usually covered by gluing fabric on the visible side. These are the base of so-called stiff bag linings.

To give your bag structure, the right chapter is thermosetting stiffeners for bags. For a full overview of linings and fabrics there is the linings and fabrics category, where you will also find pre-formed shells.

Video: Ottoman linings explained by Andrea
Features and uses of Ottoman cotton for bags (in Italian).
Watch the video →

What you need to line a bag: the materials

• Your finished crochet bag
• Lining fabric (Ottoman cotton recommended)
• Scissors and dressmaker pins
• Needle and sewing thread
• Tailor's chalk or marking pencil and a measuring tape
• Iron for finishing

How to line a crochet bag step by step

1. Prepare the bag

The bag must be clean, free of dust and loose threads. If needed, wash it gently by hand. Let it dry completely before continuing.

2. Measure and cut the fabric

Lay the fabric on a flat surface. Place the bag on top and trace the outline with chalk or a marking pencil. Leave a seam allowance of about 1.5 cm. Then cut along the lines, precisely: a well-fitting lining depends on this.

3. Sew the lining

Fold the fabric in half, right sides together. Pin it in place. Sew the sides with a straight or zigzag stitch, carefully: the seam must be strong. Leave a small opening on one side so you can turn the lining right side out at the end.

4. Finish and press

Trim the excess threads. Check that all seams are secure. Press with the iron at medium heat: the lining will be smooth and crease-free.

5. Fit the lining into the bag

Place the lining inside, matching corners and edges. Pin it along the top edge, taut and without folds. Then hand-stitch it with small, even stitches. Done: your bag now has a lining that makes it stronger and more functional.

How to line a rectangular or flat-bottom bag

For bags with a rectangular base there are two quicker variants, inspired by a video by La Fata Tuttofare. The numbers are a real example: adapt the measurements to your bag.

Separate-base technique

• Measure the base perimeter (in the example: 52 cm) and the bag height (23 cm);
• trace the base shape on the fabric and cut, keeping 1.5 cm from the line;
• with a tailor's square, cut a 52×23 cm rectangle (always with the allowance);
• sew the rectangle joining the two heights. Then pin the cut base following the guide lines;
• sew everything with needle and thread and fit the lining into the bag.

Single-pouch technique

• Start from the perimeter again (52 cm). To the height (23 cm) add the base height (5 cm): the rectangle becomes 52×28 cm;
• overlap the heights and sew the two ends;
• sew the bottom too: you will have 3 closed sides and one open, which stays as the opening;
• shape the base by sewing the side corners and trimming the excess fabric;
• you get a single pouch-style lining, ready to insert and stitch to the edge.

Video: the two techniques by La Fata Tuttofare
The video showing the separate base and the single pouch step by step (in Italian).
Watch the video →

How to add a zip to the lining

Want a bag that closes? Sew a zip of the right colour and length directly onto the lining before inserting it. It goes along the pouch opening, with the same stitches shown above. You will find zips of every size, including by the metre, in the zippers category.

Frequently asked questions

Now pick your technique and let your creativity loose. And you, which technique do you use to line your bags?

Rosaria Tessiland®