Project Bags I Actually Use (and Not Just Collect)

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If you’ve been in the crafting world for more than five minutes, you probably already have more project bags than you know what to do with. There’s something irresistible about a pretty bag at a craft fair, or a set that goes on sale, or a free gift with purchase that happens to be, of course, a bag. I have plenty of those. But this post isn’t about the bags that live on a shelf. It’s about the ones I actually grab.

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What makes a bag a “use it” bag versus a “collect it” bag? For me, it comes down to a few things: the opening, the size, and whether I can get in and out of it quickly without fighting a zipper. I do not like project bags with zippers. Give me a snap or a drawstring every time.

I’ve gotten a little creative with this over the years. One of my favorite project bags is a drawstring bag that new bed sheets came in. It was exactly the right size, it closed securely, and I felt a little silly about how much I loved it. But that’s the thing: it wasn’t precious, and I could toss it into a tote without a second thought.

That said, I do have a couple of bags I reach for all the time that are actual project bags. Here are my two favorites:

Gussie Bag Company

My current favorite is from Gussie Bag Company, a small business based just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. I love supporting small businesses, and this one makes it easy. The prints they carry are genuinely fun, not just generic craft-themed patterns. The bag I’ve been using has a snap closure at the top, pockets on both the inside and outside, and it is the perfect size for working on a garment. It’s roomy enough that I’m not fighting with my project, but not so big that it’s flopping around. I love this one so much I don't want it to get dirty. So no outdoor activities for this one. It mostly stays home with me or trips to yarn night at my local yarn shop, and I’m completely fine with that.

Della Q Oh! Snap

The other bag I use constantly is the Della Q Oh! Snap. I’m drawn to these for the same reason I love Gussie Bag Co.: snaps, no zipper drama. The ones I reach for most are the combo pack of Standing Oh Snap, which comes with a large and an extra large. The large is the right size for a shawl, and the extra large is what I use for garments. Each one has a zipper compartment on the outside (very important) to store hooks, needles, and notions. They’re not the cute bags I’d carry on my arm to a coffee shop, but that’s not what I need them for. The large fits perfectly inside a bigger purse or tote, which is exactly how I take a shawl project with me in the car on a road trip, doctor's office, or to my daughter's after school activities and the extra large is my go-to project bag for a garment at home. It’s genuinely satisfying when a bag just does what you need it to do.

Final Thoughts

The best project bag is the one you actually reach for. It doesn't have to be expensive or Pinterest-worthy. For me, it just has to open and close without a fight, and be the right size for what I'm working on. If that ends up being a sheet bag from the linen closet, so be it. But if you're looking for something a little more intentional, Gussie Bag Co. and Della Q are both worth a look. I think you'll find yourself grabbing them over and over, which is really the whole point.