Ready to create a charming and functional handbag or lunch tote? This detailed sewing pattern will guide you in making a beautiful two-tone bag with a structured, boxy shape and a stylish top flap. The combination of a patterned body and a solid-colored flap gives this bag a modern and elegant look, perfect for everyday use or as a unique gift.
This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from cutting your fabric with precise measurements to creating a neat lining and a structured flap. You’ll be able to create a professional-looking bag that's sure to turn heads!
Essential Materials and Tools Checklist
Having the right supplies on hand makes all the difference. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to get started.
Fabric: This bag uses two different fabrics, an exterior fabric for the main body and a contrast fabric for the top flap and handle.
Exterior Fabric: About 1/2 yard of a medium-weight woven fabric like quilting cotton, canvas, or twill.
Contrast Fabric: About 1/2 yard of a solid-colored, medium-weight woven fabric.
Lining Fabric: About 1/2 yard of a medium-weight woven fabric (quilting cotton works well).
Interfacing: About 1/2 yard of fusible fleece or heavy-weight fusible interfacing to give the bag a structured shape.
Button: One decorative button for the flap closure.
Sewing Machine: This project requires a sewing machine.
Presser Feet: A standard presser foot and a walking foot are recommended, as a walking foot can help with sewing the multiple layers of fabric and interfacing.
Cutting Tools: Sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat.
Marking Tools: A ruler or a clear sewing ruler, and a fabric marker or chalk.
Fasteners: Sewing pins or wonder clips to hold your fabric pieces together.
Iron: An iron and ironing board are crucial for pressing seams and fusing the interfacing.
Thread: A spool of all-purpose polyester thread that matches or coordinates with your fabric.
The Pattern and Cutting Instructions
This bag is constructed from several simple rectangular pieces. The key is to cut each piece with precision. The dimensions in the image are for the finished bag, so we will add a 1/2-inch seam allowance to each measurement.
Part 1: The Pattern Pieces
Main Body Pieces (4 total):
Cut two rectangles of exterior fabric measuring 10" x 7".
Cut two rectangles of lining fabric measuring 10" x 7".
Side & Bottom Pieces (4 total):
Cut two rectangles of exterior fabric measuring 7.5" x 6.5".
Cut two rectangles of lining fabric measuring 7.5" x 6.5".
Top Flap Pieces (2 total):
Cut one rectangle of contrast fabric measuring 6" x 8".
Cut one rectangle of lining fabric measuring 6" x 8".
Handle Piece (1 total):
Cut one rectangle of contrast fabric measuring 2" x 12".
Part 2: Interfacing
Cut one piece of fusible fleece for each of the two exterior main body pieces and two exterior side/bottom pieces, using the same dimensions. Fuse these pieces to the wrong side of your exterior fabric pieces.
Step-by-Step Assembly
This section will walk you through the entire sewing process. All seams should be sewn with a 1/2-inch seam allowance unless otherwise stated.
Part 1: Sewing the Exterior and Lining
Step 1: Sew the Sides. Take your two exterior main body pieces and pin them to the side pieces, right sides facing. Sew along the side seams. Repeat for the lining pieces.
Step 2: Sew the Bottom. Take the bottom piece and pin it to the bottom of the main body, right sides facing. Pin and sew along all four sides to create the boxy shape. Repeat this process for the lining, but leave a 3-4 inch gap in the middle of one of the bottom seams for turning the bag right side out later.
Part 2: Creating the Flap and Handle
Step 3: The Flap. Take your two flap pieces (contrast and lining) and pin them together, right sides facing. Sew along three sides, leaving the top edge open. Trim the corners and turn the flap right side out. Press well and topstitch along the three sewn edges for a crisp finish.
Step 4: The Handle. Fold your handle piece in half lengthwise and press. Open it up and fold the long edges to the center crease and press again. Fold in half again and press. Edge-stitch along both long sides.
Part 3: Final Assembly
Step 5: Attach the Handle and Flap. Pin the raw edges of the handle to the top edge of the exterior bag body, centered on the front and back. Pin the raw edge of the flap to the top edge of the back of the bag, also centered. Baste these pieces in place.
Step 6: Join the Exterior and Lining. Keep the exterior bag right side out and the lining bag wrong side out. Insert the exterior bag into the lining bag, so the right sides are facing each other. Align the top raw edges and pin all the way around.
Step 7: Sew the Top Edge. Sew all the way around the top edge, securing the exterior, lining, handle, and flap all in one seam.
Step 8: Turn and Finish. Reach into the opening you left in the lining and pull the entire bag through. Gently push out the corners. Iron the top edge of the bag so it lies flat. Hand-stitch or machine-stitch the opening in the lining closed. Push the lining inside the bag.
Step 9: Topstitch. Topstitch all the way around the top opening of the bag, about 1/4 inch from the edge. This will give it a professional finish and help it hold its shape.
Step 10: The Closure. Sew a button to the front of the bag, centered under the flap. Hand-sew a buttonhole or a small loop onto the flap to secure the closure.
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