How To's: September 2018

Some of the bags I've been making!

I hope that these will just fly off the shelf! The pattern for the shoulder bag is below. You can make it, if I can. You just need to have or find the fabric, have some sewing skill, and 4 - 5 hours of free time. Or you can buy these unique bags from me! Should there be any left.

To begin, you will need at least 1/2 yard of each - outside fabric, heavy interfacing or firm batting, lining fabric, button/snap/velcro/hook & eye for each purse you will make. In addition to the pattern below, you will need a 2 - 2x20 (or shorter, as you choose) inch strips from which you will fashion a strap. Cut out your pieces, taking care to cut out the dart in the bottom. Sew each dart together.

Taking the outer layer and interfacing layer, and zig zag them together, wrong sides together, or with the outside fabric facing out. When they are zig zagged together, you can treat them as one fabric. Put the wrong sides together for the bag outside/interfaced layer, and stitch them together, and snip to the stitching lines in the rounded corners. Do the same for the flap/tab, leaving the back (unrounded side) open. Pull the flap/tab through the open back and top stitch 1/4 inch from the side, all the way around. Sew the strap, right side to right side and interfacing, and turn it by pulling it through one end. Top stitch strap 1/4 inch from each side. Sew the bag lining together, right sides together, leaving a 4" space in the bottom, between the darts.

Pin the flap tab into place, right sides together at the center back of bag. Pin the straps into place, along the sides, right sides together, and then pin the lining to the top (opening) of the bag, right sides together and stitch along the top edge putting them together. Once finished, pull bag through the slit left in the lining, and sew the slit closed. Top stitch along the top of the bag, 1/4 inch from the edge. Put on closure.

Body, flap and dart. It also requires a 2x20 strap.
This requires exterior fabric, interfacing or batting and lining.

Halloween Dogs

Halloween Cats

Making Bags and bags and bags

Different style bags - The pattern for my green and pink bags:

With a zipper and 2 straps
With a snap front and one strap
22 - 23" x 12" piece and triangle sides, needs fabric, interfacing/batting and lining.

The round bag. I saw a photo and thought, that shouldn't be too hard. It's just a round bowl and pointed (cornered) end. I haven't decided if I like the zipper on top, or just to one side. I will have to made several more to decide.