The piano tote is one of my bestsellers. It may sound completely irrational but I’m thinking of letting this particular bag design retire. So to celebrate, I made a piano bag tutorial.
Happy sewing!
YOU WILL NEED:
1. Black fabric (one measuring 12″ x 14″ and another that measures 8″ x 14″ For the sides, two that measures 14″ x 2″ and one measuring 12″ x 2″ for the bottom)
2. For the lining, cut two pieces measuring 12″ x 14″. For the sides, two that measures 14″ x 2″ and one measuring 12″ x 2″ for the bottom.
3. Black webbing for the straps (21″)
4. White fabric (measuring 4″ x 14″) for the white keys.
NOTE: Don’t forget 1/2-inch allowances for all sides of all pieces.
5. Ten rectangular pieces (.75″ x 2.5″) for the black keys.
6. Magnetic snap set.
TUTORIAL:
1. Sew your white keys using black thread. Trace the white piece with black pen and sew over these markings. Do not worry because the pen marks will no longer be obvious after sewing.
2. Take your black keys and fold three sides. Then place them over the white keys. The narrow folded side should be positioned 2.5″ from one side of the white keys. The order is 2 black keys, one gap, 3 black keys, another gap, 2 black keys, a gap, and the last 3 black keys.
3. Sew the black keys onto the white keys. I find this to be the most tedious part. After this, you will be able to finish the whole bag in about half an hour.
4. Take your black 14″ x 8″ piece and place it on top of the white keys, right sides together. You will join the keys to the rest of the piano bag at this point.
5. Now the front part of the bag will already be complete. Attach the sides and bottom to this piece to finish the outer part of your bag. Turn it inside out.
6. Take your straps and position them on the top part of the bag.
7. Attach magnetic snaps to your lining. You may place a pocket as well.
8. Assemble the lining, leaving a gap at the bottom. Insert the outer part and sew around the top, right sides together.
9. Pull the outer part through the gap of your lining.
10. Stitch the top part of your bag to make your bag look nice and flat. Sew the gap of the lining. And you’re done!
Congratulations, you just made a piano bag!
For store-related news, I will be making piano slings and piano pouches.
Aug 21, 2009 @ 10:30:44
wow..this is awesome..might try this the best i can..thanks for the tutorial! instructions are well given..too bad i can’t do sewing for now.. =(
Aug 22, 2009 @ 14:25:46
When your baby arrives, you’ll have all the time in the world to sew. Or you can handsew in bed. ;-)
Aug 21, 2009 @ 11:47:22
Wow, the bag is such an innovative masterpiece! I love it. Thanks for the detailed instruction and pictures. So kind of you to share it with us, your readers. I’m gonna make one for my daughter. I’ll surround her with anything that’ll remind her to learn musical instruments. I wish it’ll inspire her to learn the piano soon.
Aug 22, 2009 @ 08:09:42
I love the way you show pics with all ur tutorials…and thank you so much for sharing ur wonderful tutorials =]
Aug 22, 2009 @ 14:26:58
You’re welcome. Happy sewing! :)
Aug 23, 2009 @ 09:05:44
I can see why it is a best seller–so cute!
P.S. Yep, I usually pick the giveaway items. :)
Aug 23, 2009 @ 18:59:35
Love the item you picked! Hope I win but I’m not very lucky when it comes to giveaways. Haha
Aug 23, 2009 @ 10:16:44
Wow, that is way cool! Thanks so much for sharing the how-to, I’ll be linking to this.
Aug 23, 2009 @ 18:58:53
Thanks, Rachel! :)
Aug 25, 2009 @ 09:30:55
looks very good to great
Aug 25, 2009 @ 17:40:34
:) Happy sewing!
Aug 26, 2009 @ 10:06:41
Wow, so you will be making piano slings? Would like to order one. I will pm you in your multiply site. By the way, great tutorial. I wish I had a sewing machine… :)
Aug 26, 2009 @ 14:11:32
Got your email. Will work on a shop update right away. Will email you back as soon as I have the items. :)
Aug 30, 2009 @ 02:16:18
What a great post. You did a great job outlining the different steps with your photos. Very cool.
Sep 04, 2009 @ 04:06:21
This is such a great tutorial! This will make a great gift for a very musical friend. :-) Thanks “sew” much!
Sep 04, 2009 @ 19:42:39
You’re welcome. :)
Sep 04, 2009 @ 12:21:43
Hey!
This is cool, I like your ideas! And the cool part with this one is you can attach the piano part to any bag if you wish!
Sep 04, 2009 @ 19:58:59
You’re absolutely right! I plan to attach them to messenger bag flaps. :D
Sep 17, 2009 @ 06:47:53
I love it….Looks easy to create! I know a few ‘musical’ friends who are going to be gifted this bag for just because from me!! Thank you for sharing!
Jane
Sep 18, 2009 @ 21:28:13
Just because gifts are awesome! :D Happy sewing! :)
Oct 06, 2009 @ 10:27:40
It is interesting ..I love it. The instruction you had given is quite helpful as now i can design my own bag.
Oct 18, 2009 @ 02:36:34
How many and how wide do you sew the white keys? I want to make this bag for my mother-in-law and use 1/2″ black ribbon for the black keys.
Oct 18, 2009 @ 21:43:19
Hi!
The white keys are an inch wide each. There will be 14 of them.
My black keys measured .75 inch each.
Hope this was helpful. :)
Oct 23, 2009 @ 23:55:01
hi,
Just discovered this awesome website! I love the piano bag and I want to make them myself or at least try :D this can be a wonderful gift to someone (or a couple) I know. Thanks!
Oct 24, 2009 @ 01:31:39
You’re welcome and happy sewing. :)
Dec 31, 2012 @ 03:06:54
Uh, what’s the measurement for sewing/tracing the white keys?
Dec 31, 2012 @ 03:10:45
Thank you for the tutorial. But what’s the measurement for when you sew/trace the white keys?
Dec 31, 2012 @ 23:32:41
Each white key is 1 inch in width :)
Balancing Everything » How to make a piano bag
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Nov 21, 2009 @ 01:52:05
What a lovely bag!
Nov 21, 2009 @ 05:12:08
Thanks everyone!
Nov 21, 2009 @ 02:17:10
I really like this bag but I may have to alter it a bit. My daughter plays the saxophone and needs a bag to carry her music. This is perfect. So instead, I think I’ll take the black strips and make musical notes to put on the white background. Thanks so much for the idea!
Nov 21, 2009 @ 04:17:12
Hi. That looks fantastic. I love it and will try and make it for my son for Christmas. He has just done his second piano exam and loves it so much. I wake up in the morning and he’s playing away at the piano in the lounge room – just for love, not for practicing. Great tutorial.
Nov 22, 2009 @ 01:35:27
This is brilliant! I now have a great project for a Christmas present for the musician in my life! Thanks so much, she’s going to love it when she opens this up.
Nov 24, 2009 @ 04:21:29
I’m sure she’ll love it! Happy sewing. :)
Dec 05, 2009 @ 05:23:40
I usually do not comment on blogs but thank you for your information. I enjoyed reading it.
Mar 02, 2010 @ 07:43:34
WONDERFUL! I am thinking of using either (or both) Ultrasuede or denim!
Mar 02, 2010 @ 12:01:34
Suede will be awesome! I know I would not be able to stop touching it. Haha
Mar 02, 2010 @ 11:27:44
I just saw this link on tipnut.com, and am so very glad! My Mom is 82 and still plays the piano all the time. This is her mother’s day present. Thanks for sharing it.
Mar 02, 2010 @ 12:04:29
Hope your mom loves it. And wow, it must be really cool to listen to her play even at that age.
Email me a photo of the finished bag, if you don’t mind. :)
Mar 18, 2010 @ 02:20:31
Sorry for my english (I’m french) but this bag is perfect and sublime. I learned Piano and this bag is very beautiful. I like and love it :) Thank you for this example of made-hand bag :) One day, I’ll learn to sew in order to make my own bag :) Thank you
Mar 18, 2010 @ 07:52:41
Aww that’s a wonderful thing to say. Please send me a photo of your bag when you finally make one! :)
Mar 24, 2010 @ 00:02:11
I googled “piano bag tutorial” and came across your site- thanks for the great tutorial! :) I was about to ask the dimensions of the white keys, but it’s already been answered. So, now I’m ready to get started on a bag for my 8 year old daughter who just began taking piano lessons. It will be great to carry all of her books and sheet music to lessons. I think I’ll embroider her initial on the front and do a hot pink lining, for fun.
When I finish the bag, I’ll be sure to link back to your tutorial. :)
Mar 24, 2010 @ 18:58:57
Glad to be of help! Hope the little lady will love her bag :)
Apr 08, 2010 @ 01:57:18
I finally made this! Thanks again for the tutorial. :) Here is my bag-
http://www.comfortzoneblog.com/2010/04/piano-bag/
Apr 11, 2010 @ 13:13:51
Love the lining!
May 21, 2010 @ 07:20:25
Oh my gosh! It’s the Nodame Cantabile bag! I’m so glad I found your tutorial!
May 22, 2010 @ 20:35:01
Happy sewing! :)
Jun 07, 2010 @ 09:44:47
Hi, Great bag. I’ve just started making one. Can you please tell me if your cut size instruction are the finished size? After cutting a few pieces of the black key, they seem much too small after folding three sides. Thanks!
Aug 18, 2010 @ 10:10:25
awesome, too cute, thanks
Aug 27, 2010 @ 03:28:37
Would you please explain the black piano key dimensions and the markings. I see that you have answered someone else and said they are 3/4″ is this after folding the 3 sides?
Oct 02, 2010 @ 22:22:53
I wish to thank you for your tutorial, very clear. Your piano bag is so cute I decided to sew one (the first bag in my life !).
I have no specific blog link to show, as I am a very beginner, but I can mail you pictures with great pleasure. Just let me know !
Dec 13, 2010 @ 15:55:36
EEEEK! OMG! It’s the Nodame piano bag! I’m so happy I found your tutorial! I’m planning to make one this Christmas break since I can’t afford to buy the authentic one (costs about US $96!!!!)…..
May 28, 2011 @ 20:16:26
I love this bag! My DD is starting piano lessons and I would love to make this bag for her! When you traced the white keys, how far apart are they?
Aug 13, 2011 @ 02:04:41
you still have a piano bag???
Aug 18, 2011 @ 16:09:43
Hi mohd adril izuan, Nope, I no longer have/sell these. :)
Aug 14, 2011 @ 19:35:55
Please tell me how long and wide to sew the white keys stitching . What size are the white keys ? Thanks Mary
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bolsos online
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bolsos online…
[...]how to make a piano shoulder bag » Bored and Crafty[...]…
Aug 14, 2012 @ 03:12:43
How nice this bag.
I made several things ábout music because my children en my friend are musicans.
SOmetimes I sell things as well. I made two guitar tables from mosaic and a mosaic painting from the beatles but also a light from beatles fabric and an old cupboard with drawers like a piano.
Also old ligths a re decorated with music notes to a new light.
Aug 18, 2012 @ 10:40:05
That sounds interestingly creative! :)
Sep 17, 2012 @ 09:58:46
I am trying to make the piano bag. I am confused on step #8, you say “Insert the outer part and sew together”. Where do I “sew together”, around the top. Because #10 says “Stitch the top part of your bag. Please help me. Thank you.
Sep 17, 2012 @ 10:40:35
Hi! For step8, you sew around the top and after you turn the bag inside out, you top stitch around the top again so that your bag looks nice and flat :)
tutorial: DIY piano pouch
Oct 15, 2012 @ 19:29:14
[...] tutorial: DIY piano pouch Today, we make a cute (if I do say so myself) piano-inspired pouch. It’ll go well with one of these piano bags. [...]
Jan 02, 2013 @ 01:45:45
How would you sew the bottom of the bag?
Jan 14, 2013 @ 04:58:01
How would you sew the bottom of the bag? I’ve been trying to do it, but I can’t figure it out. And if you can’t explain too me how, can you please lead me to a link in your website or any other website? Thank you.
Feb 26, 2013 @ 19:03:05
Hullo again!
Here is a tutorial that might help: http://thehabygoddess.blogspot.com/2011/05/sewing-gusset-into-bag.html
Feb 03, 2013 @ 12:47:41
Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I have posted a picture of the piano bag that I made using this tutorial at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockingit/8439297093/in/photostream
Feb 04, 2013 @ 00:06:01
That looks nice! Love the strap :)
Feb 26, 2013 @ 17:29:10
I love this pattern. i was wondering would it be able to be made in different colors and how do you sew on the sides?
Feb 26, 2013 @ 19:04:41
Here is a tutorial that might help: http://thehabygoddess.blogspot.com/2011/05/sewing-gusset-into-bag.html
And yes, different colors for the rest of the bag will work, too.
i make bags
Apr 14, 2013 @ 23:32:59
[...] one, 3rd photo from the bottom, rightmost column). And some of these I have written tutorials for (PIANO BAG, DOTTED RECTANGULAR BAG, PIANO POUCH, MINIATURE SATCHEL, GUITAR BAG, and the SCALLOP TOP [...]