Pilgrims Bags

Pilgrims bags are commonly depicted in art from the 13th and 14th century. They are often simple, natural color satchels worn by pilgrims. Even these simple bags are often shown with tassels and some basic decoration. When wealthier pilgrims are depicted, their bags are often more elaborate and include colorful materials and sometimes badges. 

For my first pilgrims bag, I went with a simple wool bag lined in linen and it has been a workhorse bag for me for years. Now that it's getting quite worn, I've made its fancier cousin out of a firmer, more richly dyed wool with a silk lining. 

The Process:

These bags are a great weekend project to use up scraps and typically only take about 1/2yd of fabric. They can be lined or unlined. But if you choose to make an unlined bag, plan to lap fell the seams for additional structure and to reduce fraying from wear. 

I drafted my bag shape directly on to my fabric but you can make a paper pattern first to get a feeling for the size and shape you like. The bag can be a simple square or a trapezoid. It can be whatever size you like, but I prefer one that's about 14-16" across the bottom and 10-12" across the top. The bag body can be cut as one piece, just make sure to lay out both body pieces and trace out a square or triangular flap. 

Also trace out your strap lengths. I like a 2" wide strap so I traced out two 3" wide by about 45" long straps to sew together. You may want a longer or shorter length based on your height and torso size so make sure to measure from your shoulder to about your hip and double that measurement. Them add 10-12" of length (you can always trim this off later if it's too long).

I initially drafted this bag as a square with a triangular flap. I later trimmed it into a slight trapezoid becaues I preferred teh shape. I cut the bag body out of both the exterior and lining materials.

As I bonus, I added a phone and wallet pocket to my lining before inserting it. This is not historical, but is VERY convenient. 

The bag is assembled by sewing up the sides of the exterior fabric (right sides together) and then flipping it right sides out. Then sewing up the lining (right sides together) and not flipping this piece. Fold over the exterior flap edges by ~0.5", iron the edges down, and then tack them into place. This finishes the edges of the flap exterior fabric.

Next, press the seams nicely on both the exterior and interior fabric and then insert the lining into the exterior. Fold the lining fabric under around the mouth of the bag and the flap and attach it to the exterior fabric using felling or whip stitches. 

This is where I trypically remember it would probably be easier to add the strap before lining the bag but I never do. Make the strap by sewing teh pieces together to make a tube and turning that tube right sides out. Turn the ends in and sew them closed. Pin the strap ends to teh back of the bag and check the length when worn. Adjust as needed. Then attach the straps to the back of the bag starting where the flap folds over and working down towards the bottom. Make sure you have at least 2" sewn to the bag and as much as the whole bag bag.

You can finish the flap of the bag by adding as button closure or leaving it as is. 

Then the last step is decoration! Two or three tassels attached to the bottom of the bag is common. I typically look up a YouTube video for how to make them from thread or yarn and then attach them through the bag exterior fabric at the bottom. And voila! You have yourself a pilgrims bag!

The Results:

My first bag is still going strong after 7 years of regular use. The wool has gotten a bit soft and kinda dingy, but the bag is storied and sewn with pewter bages from events and activities I've been a part of. My new bag is fresh and sturdy and a little smaller. I hope it will serve me just as well over the years.