shoulder bag tutorial

Here's a rough pattern and guide for making a shoulder bag like one of these, as promised. These are really easy to make, and I always have so much fun choosing fabrics and buttons for them. I have to warn you however that i'm not very good at explaining things in words, so I hope you can understand my general meaning in these directions! Please email me if you need further instruction, and I'll be happy to help! I couldn't work out how to do a PDF file so this is a very basic and d-i-y version of a pattern! As you can see, I've drawn a tiny, rough and very much NOT-to-scale outline of the pattern which you will need to draw to the proper measurements yourself on some tracing paper or a piece of newspaper. It doesn't matter if it's not quite right, as long as it's symmetrical. The entire length of the pattern is 28 inches. This will make a bag that's a good size for your wallet, keys and a few books, but it's easy to make it a bit deeper or the strap a bit longer, if you wish. Just add a couple of extra inches. Umm, and that measurement on the strap should say 18". Sorry about that.

Once you've drawn and cut out your pattern, cut two from your chosen bag fabric, and two from your lining fabric. I usually use recycled fabrics- old curtains, blankets, vintage bits and pieces... but you could use anything that takes your fancy. Something fairly sturdy for the outside works best though. After cutting these out, I also cut a pocket for the inside, I use some of the outer fabric for this, cut into a rectangle about 8" X 6.5". Then I cut a strip measuring 5" X 1.5" to make a loop with which to fasten the bag to a button, if you choose to use this method. You could also make two ties to fasten, or use velcro or a snap fastener.

1. Start with your outer bag pieces. Place right sides together, and sew the seams at each edge, between the *s on the pattern, like this:

2. Then open out the piece so that the seams are at the front and back of the bag. Sew along the bottom seam.

3. Then square off the corners by pinching each one out, then sewing straight across about an inch from the corner's edge. Trim excess.

4. Repeat these steps with the lining pieces, but remember to leave a gap in the bottom seam, for turning inside-out later on.

5. Overlock or zig-zag the top edge of your pocket. Press the edge down about half an inch, and top-stitch. Then press your pocket half an inch all around. Pin to the outside of the lining where you would like it, and stitch it down.

6. Make your loop for the button. Press in both edges of the strip towards the centre, then fold in half and press again. Sew the edges together (this is just like a bias strip.)

7. Now sew the lining and outer pieces together. Place one inside the other, right sides together. Match centre seams, and pin. Insert your loop between the two layers on one side of the bag, so the ends of the loop are sticking out, and pin it securely.

8. Sew about 1/4" from the edge, all along both sides of the bag, right up to the top edges.

9. Now clip like mad around the curved edges, nearly to the seam.

10. Turn the bag right-way-out through the gap in the lining. Now press all around the edges of the bag where you have sewn, so that both layers 'sit' nicely. Trim the tops of the straps so they're even and of equal length.

11. Sew the top of the strap together- at just the outer pieces. Place right sides together, and sew a 1/4" seam. (This is a bit fiddly under the machine, but it's okay.) Press down. Then tuck in the lining pieces at this point and hand-stitch it closed.

9. Press the strap again and if you are happy with everything, top-stitch a 1/4" seam all around the edges of the bag. Hand-sew the gap in the lining closed. And hand-sew a big button on the front of the bag, in such a position so the loop will fit nicely around it.

10. Ta Da! Enjoy your new bag! I'm off to eat this chocolate.

p.s. please email me a picture if you try this out because I'd love to see it! Also, this is my first time doing instructions like these, so please let me know if I need to make corrections. Thanks!

Comments

[Emelia]

I was thinking of making a bag for a trip to New York and your site inspired me. I used a little different design but your tips and tricks really helped. Thanks!

[Joni]

Yeah I have been looking for such a design everywhere. and after reading your comments I think I wll make the pattern out of posterboard and make several for Christimas Gifts.. Was the loop easy to make as well? I really like the idea of self fabric instead of cording for the loop and great BIg button closure. I think I would have to use some sort of spray to keep it from staining if I make it beige what do you think? Do you every sit in on stuff when you take it off and wish it would clean up better??? Just trying to think it out before I start. Bravo and thanks, Joni in Ca

[jean catanzaro]

Thank you for sharing your bag pattern.The tutorial was great.Very easy instructions.I am cutting my pattern from posterboard.Hope to make the bag this week.I will e-mail you with the results.

[Dragonfly2830]

I have just made a bag similar. Your pictures have helped me with mine and the next one I make.
I have made my next one a little bigger for me but my daughter loves the one I made her.
Great site.
Will save you in my favourites.
Kind Regards Fiona

[Michelle]

Oh ta! Nice easy looking pattern and instead of writing 'i'll get around to it eventually' I printed out the diagram and got on with it straight away! My very first bag - how exciting!!! Can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliveonline/176952511/

[teresa]

I did it! :) Turned out great. Thanks so much for the inspiration and tutorial. I referenced it w/photo on my blog. thanks again!!

[Katherine]

This is brilliant! I am seriously loving this pattern. I've made two as gifts for my son's playgroup leaders, and now I want to make a huge one for myself. Umm, can I confess I did make a really obvious mistake and joined the straps together with one of them twisted first time around?! So if you ever edited the tutorial, you could add the instruction "check straps aren't twisted before stitching together" for muppets like myself. Never mind, it was soon unpicked and re-stitched. I've posted one of them on my blog, here: http://piksi.typepad.com/piksi/2006/07/bags_of_time.html

[Sarah]

http://mamalong.wordpress.com/2006/07/08/recycledrepurposed-bag/
Found this tutorial (and your blog) yesterday and made a bag this morning. Thank you so much for the great tutorial!

[Donna F.]

Great Bag, Thanks for sharing! When I get mine done, I'll send you a link.

[Mary]

I've been wanting to make one of these bags forever!! Can't wait to start..hardest part will be deciding which of my vintage fabrics to use...thanks thanks thanks !

[Mary]

I've been wanting to make one of these bags forever!! Can't wait to start..hardest part will be deciding which of my vintage fabrics to use...thanks thanks thanks !

[June]

Thank you so much for supplying the tutorial. I've been seeing so many bags lately that I'm eager to make one myself.

[Claire]

Thanks for sharing the tutorial - your version is beautiful - I'd like to make one too now! I can't have too many bags...

[Miss Dot]

Great tute! I made one tonight and posted lots of pics on my blog. Your instructions were great, I buggered up the joining of the handle bit but I jazzed it up to cover it! thanks for the tute and the inspiration.
http://missminnie.typepad.com/minnie/2006/07/immmm_baaaaaccc.html

[Cecily]

How much fabric TOTAL is needed? I reallllllly want to make one, but I'm not good at math in things like this. :P

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

I made a scaled down version so that I could use some fat quarters I had stashed. You can see photos on my entry at http://blog.designedlykristi.com/?p=136

[Darcy]

What a cutie-patootie bag. I'll have to add this to my list of projects. Thanks for the pattern! :)

[michaele]

I'm also curious to know how much fabric is required - can you send me a guesstimate? Thanks! Cute bag!!

[megan]

thanks for the tutorial! i made a smaller version

[megan]

sorry, photo here http://www.flickr.com/photos/meganmaria/208527616/

[SusannaT]

I am in love.
I made three already.
Thank you for the tutorial!
My bags are here: http://suskianttila.blogspot.com/2006/08/srrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.html

[Carrie]

I just made a purse using your pattern - it turned out great! Thanks so much for posting a tutorial!!

You can view a picture of my purse here: http://flickr.com/photos/15361055@N00/212469674/

I ironed fleece interfacing to the lining to help the bag keep it's shape.

[sara]

hi, this is how my bag turned out. thanks for a good tutorial!

http://www.sysidan.se/obj/photo/4/4d180182e7ba5318ca9f9b06720fa206.jpg

[Mina]

I had to make the bag right this moment so I didn´t find any nice fabric, well, but now i have a good reason to go shopping ! It´s so easy to make it, thank you so much for being so kind on showing to all of us!

[Wendy]

Thanks so much for the tutorial. It was easy to follow, and fun to do. The picture of my bag can be found at http://flickr.com/photos/wendyrodrigues/221490754.

Thanks again!