Green wool + brown plaid handbag "how-to"

So, here it is.  A semi-tutorial, how-to make the green wool bag.  I have tried to make this as complete as possible, however, I kind of got bunched up with how to say certain things on occasion.  Hopefully you will find my instructions plain as day, but if not, send me an email and we'll get it figured out.  REMEMBER, I am definitely NOT a professional at this, and my instructions may see weird to some, it's just how I did it.  Also, I cannot accept responsibility for bags gone awry and blah, blah, blah. ;).  Here we go!

First, here are the pattern pieces:

Pleated Vintage Handbag

List of materials:

• fabric for outside of bag, probably at least ½-3/4 yard, depends on how big you make your bag
• lining fabric
• sturdy interfacing fabric
• zipper*optional
• magnetic closure
• thread to match

• Cut 2 of shell fabric out of pattern piece A.
• Cut 2 of lining and 2 of  a sturdy interfacing fabric out of pattern piece B.
• Cut 1 of shell fabric and 1 of lining fabric out of pattern piece C.
• Cut 4 of shell fabric or 2 of shell fabric and 2 of lining fabric out of pattern piece D.  If you would like to be able to make this into a shoulder bag instead of a handbag, cut the handles out about 3-4 inches longer than noted.

1.      Mark pleats in  pattern piece A and pin pleats in place. I made 5 pleats and made sure that one was right in the center and two on either side.  I started about 3 inches in from the edge and the amount of fabric I used for each pleat was about 1-1 ½ inches each.  Make sure the top of the bag measures 13.5 inches once the pleats are in place so that the band will fit properly.  Stitch 1/8-1/4 inch from edge.  Pin pieces A right sides together and stitch sides and bottom. 

2.      Pin one of piece B lining and piece B interfacing fabric wrong sides together, and stitch together.  Repeat with other B pieces.

3.      At this point, insert a pocket and or zipper in the lining if you want.  The tutorial from creative daisy goes over how to do this.

4.      Pin the 2 pieces of B right sides together and sew together. 

5.      Place the lining inside of the shell (wrong sides together) and stitch around top of bag 1/8-1/4 inch from edge.

6.      Pin right sides of two of pieces D for handle together down the sides, sew together, turn, and top stitch.  Repeat for other handle. 

7.      Mark off center of band lining and insert magnetic closure.  The creative daisy tutorial also goes over how to do this. 

8.      Sew ends of piece C lining together then repeat for piece C shell.

9.      Pin handles onto right side of piece C shell fabric where desired (I usually place the seam of piece C in the middle of the back of the bag) then place piece C lining fabric over this,  pin and stitch down along top.  See Illustration A.

10.  Now flip the fabrics right side out so the handles are up and press seams and top stitch down.

11.  Pin shell fabric part of the band (right side) to right side of outside of bag and stitch down. 

12.  Turn the band and press. Hand stitch band lining down. 

Your bag is now complete minus a few details such as top stitching or  hand embroidery.

Comments

[sarah]

Hi i just come across your blog, its lovely and i really like the bucket bags they are fab !
Sarah x

[kristi]

hi penny, do you think a very beginner sewer who usually only sews straight lines to hem her pants could make this bag? or do you think i should practice on something else first? i have a complete bag fetish, and this one is AWESOME!

[Gloria]

Hi Love to sew and this bag would make me AND my dds and dgds happy. Hope I have the right stuff on here so I can receive your info. This is a neat site and do so love to craft. Usually for charity BUT I "might" make one for the place where we meet for them to sell as a thank you for a free meeting place.

[Bettydeath]

I love this tutorial, thank you so much for posting it. Check out my version (I tweaked the dimensions a little) here at craftster:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=258160.0

I do have two questions:
1. In step 4, you sew together the two B pieces -- when do you do this with the A pieces? I'm a little tired today, so I may be missing something obvious ;)

2. Any idea how to sew the band (C) on to the outer and lining without hand-stitching? There must be a way, but I'm just not seeing it... I tried a technique similar to how you might sew blanket binding onto a quilt, but it was a little messy (it was the first time I've ever tried that, though... I might just suck at it! :).

thanks again -- you rock!

[j.]

i love this bag! thank you for the tutorial! can't wait to try it out!

[fabricfairy]

i love this tutorial and your blog too.
i put a link to this tute in my blog. hope you wouldnt mind=)

[khadijah]

hello sewtakeahike,
i've tried to do this bag. may not look as good as yours but i've made it! Thank you. can view my finished product here...

http://makcikkantin.blogspot.com/2009/08/more-sewing-on-independence-day.html