This bag is so easy !

This is the new bag I made to take back to work this term. It took less than an hour from choosing the fabric to dumping my junk in it. In fact this tutorial took waaaayyy longer than the bag ! (the colours are great in real life but the orange doesn't photograph very well - sorry )

This pattern is on a piece of A4 paper so I'm sure you can work it out from that. It needs to be placed in the fold of your fabric as marked.
You will need:Using the pattern piece and cutting on the fold of your fabrics.
2 pieces in your handbag fabric
2 pieces in your lining fabric
2 pieces in wadding or batting to give your bag a bit of body.
1 magnetic purse snap (optional)
2 x 6 1/2 inch squares of fabric for the pocket (optional).
2 strips of fabric 3 inches x approx 29 inches for the strap
1 strip of wadding about 2 1/2 inches by 29
2 large Buttons

Start with the pocket. Place your squares right sides together and sew around 1/4 in ch in from the edge. Leave a gap for turning (maybe 3 inches). Snip off the corners being careful not to cut your stitching.
Turn right sides out through the gap. . You might like to iron it. I like to do one line of stitching across what will be the top of the pocket but that is just for looks.

Pin your pocket to the right side of one of your bag linings. Sew around the sides and bottom of your pocket being sure to catch the gap you had for turning in your stitching.

I like to do two lines - looks good and adds a bit of strength too.


Now put your other lining piece right sides together with the pocketed one and sew around the bag, again leaving a turning gap at the bottom.

Take your bag fabric pieces and affix your wadding or batting to the wrong side of each piece (if it is fuseable). You need to sew all these four pieces at the same time. Your fabrics need to be right side together with the wadding on the outer of each. (check out the pic above if it doesn't make sense) Pinning might help stop these from moving too much.

Sew around the sides and base of the bag with a 1/4 inch seam. You may want to clip the corners , this will help your curves be nice and smooth and curvacious. Turn the bag right side out.

Now with the bag right side out- slip it into your lining. (This means you will have the right sides of your lining where the pocket is, against the right sides of the bag.)

Sew around the top opening of the bag.
Turn it all right side out through the gap in the bottom of the lining. Then tuck the lining inside the bag, smoothing it as you go. Pin around the top and topstitch.
This is when I like to add magnetic snaps. Putting your hand inside the bag through the lining gap you can poke your snaps through and affix them. Some people like to put a little circle of cardboard on the inside but just use a scrap of wadding or wadding reinforced with some interfacing.
Then that is it for the bag , you can hand sew or machine sew the gap in the lining closed.

The strap is super easy- Just place your pieces right sides together and sew along the length of the strip on both sides. You could add your wadding at this stage and sew it in but my fabric is a bit thick so it will be hard to turn, so I didn't add it yet.

Turn right sides out so you have a long tube. Then using a safety pin I just thread in a long strip of wadding for body.

Tuck in your ends, either on an angle or straight across and topstitch all around, ,making sure you catch the ends into your sewing.

Sew the strap to the bag - you can do this by hand or machine - add some buttons for decoration and you are done.


Obviously you can jazz this up as much as you want - maybe patchwork some fabric together first, add some trims, super easy and versatile ! Hope you like it!




119 comments:
Wow!What a great bag,I have been spending the last week looking for a bag pattern,willing to part with my hard earned cash,but,to no avail.Nothing has really jumped out at me,'til now!
Thanks so much,I will be trying this out for a friend's birthday.Mel.
I love this tutorial! I am adding a link to it on my blogroll... Have you ever thought of selling your bags on Etsy?
You are a crafting Dynomite!
Lovely bag and well explained tutorial-thank you once again for sharing:)
Wow that is an amazingly simple tutorial. I've probably made about 50 bags using my own design but yours is much more stylish and simple. I'm definitely trying this out on the weekend. Love that orange fabric too!
Really lovely bag there Jodie! Beautiful choices of fabrics, and fantastic tutorial. I think I'm going to have to make one!
Jodie what a fabulous tutorial. Love the bag.
Alison
Another great tutorial Jodie!!! I can't wait to give this one ago...
Jodie
That was one cool bag tutorial, thanks so much and I love your choice of fabrics. I am longing to give this one house room, when I get some spare time.............
Great tutorial Jodie!
LOL you can come by my son's cafe any time, but I'm making him up his prices, he's too cheap and it would be called child labour, LOL!!
Hi Jodie
cool bag - definately on my to do list. Thanks for the tutorial
Robyn
Great bag Jodie! I love all of my wonderful talented blog friends!!! Thanks for putting this one together...On the list it goes!
I have been promising myself for months now that I will attempt to make a bag. I have bookmarked this tutorial and will attempt it as soon as I've worked up the courage. Thanks Jodie! x
that is super cute! thanks for sharing the tutorial.
That's a fantastic bag!
I love the shape. And I really like how the handle is attached...I've never done one like that before.
Great step by step tutorial, too.
Thanks!
Kimberly :)
Thanks for the comment and I love the bag! I might have too make some in bulk to keep up with the kid's present giving!;)
I think it's fantastic! Thanks for the tutorial x
OK, you make it look super easy, but I am actually going to try and make this for my mum's birthday (which isn't until june so I have loads of time to practise - right?!)
Superstar - that's what you are :)
wow may have to whip this up
Thanks for the great tute, Jodie - your stitching is so neat!
And I simply can't believe that I turn my head for a second and I miss another giveaway! *slaps head* Doh!!
:)
I shall do my best to actually make this one. (hahahahaha)
Jodie, LOVELY bags and great fabrics. I think you SHOULD sell them in your Etsy Shop. I am going to make one - watch this space.
Wow! I like so much. I made last week my second bag (Ikea fabric), I think that I try yours too.
Thank's for sharing this cute tutorial.
Saludos desde Barcelona!!!
ohhhhh I love this.... and instant gratification makes it even better....
thanx for the tuturial
luv Abby
You are so amazingly generous with your time! Thanks for the tut.
Very stylish bags, you can never have too many! This one has just been added to my to do list
Very nice. Love the magnetic snap detail! This would definitely take me more than an hour.
Love this bag, thanks so much for the tutorial!
You rock! What a great tutorial! Love the bag!!!
Love the bag. Such a fantastic tutorial too. Well done!
you completly rock!!thanks i love it!cant wait to make one! did i mention you rock?!?!
That was one of the best tutorials I have read. Very clear with great pics. Thanks for sharing with us.
The fabrics are beautiful too.
Have a great weekend.
Great tutorial, Jodie! I love the fabrics you chose and really like the fabric covered buttons on the straps.
What a great bag and a fab tutorial - thanks Jodie!
(now get that Etsy shop open!!!!)
Lucy xx
LOVE the way that handle is attached! Wow!
It looks like I need a new bag!
Great tutorial. You explained the part about putting the outside in the lining well... that's the part I always goof up.
This bag looks really cool. I may have to do one for my Letter-A-Day Challange.
http://aynex.blogspot.com
Great tutorial, thanks! Such a cute bag!
thanks for this tutorial - I might just have to face my fear of bags and try this one, since you say it is so easy...yours looks gorgeous
what a cool bag...and thanks for the tutorial...
Barbara
What a sweet and simple design! Thanks for the tutorial- now I have to go make buttons :D
That's one good look'in bag. Great tutorial jodie, the instructions are really clear and the fact you don't have to enlarge or photocopy the pattern is a huge plus. Thanks for sharing!
By god but you're good.
Thanks for the tutorial, I love it!
I am definately going to give this a go...Cheers
Great tutorial and great bag!
Thanks so much for a great tutorial.
Im definitely going to give this a go.
I've made one. Pics are on my blog!
I just came home from the store this morning with tons of button cover packs and the magnetic purse snap determined to find a cute bag pattern and get one made. It's like it was fate! I am getting this done today.
Thanks for sharing I have a bagaholic friend i will show it to.
fantastic tutorial, Jodie! Thankyou! I am going to try this one too. :o)
-Sherrin
Thank you so much for this wonderful tut! I love it!
I can't waiting to try it!!!!
Zarinaia from Italy.
Thanks for the great tutorial - will definitely have to give it a go. Love the versatility.
Thank you for sharing!!! Your blog is very inspirating and you always have soooooo great ideas!!!
You were a blessing to me! I`m from Romania, Europe and here in my country handmade stuff aren`t that popular, i guess there are only few people who does such things, but 100% they will NOT share their ideas... So i`ve being looking all over the internet to find things i can do with my sweing machine, `cause i`m pretty a begginer...And found your tutorial, and in aproximatley 2 hours already did the bag.It came out amazing, i`m loving it!!! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much! This was the first bag I've ever made, and I am so proud of it. I'm posting pix of my version, along with a link to your tutorial, on my blog.
Best, Karen
http://turnandpress.typepad.com
Thank you so much - I made one from teatowels, and it was so easy. It's on my blog, and I linked to you, hope that's OK. I shall make another one today.
E
xx
Eleanor pointed me in your direction and I'm so glad she did. I love this bag tutorial, thank you so much.
I found your lovely pattern last week, whilst waiting on some fabric to arrive from Ebay. now it's arrived i can't wait to start making, I've posted some pics on my blog, and will post pics of the finished article on completion.
CHEERS!!
Bear
Love it.... I think i'll try!
like it very much..Thanks
Hi Jodie
I just wanted to say thanks for this fab bag tutorial. I haven't made bags in a while so it was great to use this to get back into the swing of things.
You can check out my bag here if you want to take a peek.
xMx
What a cute little bag, it will make an excellent gift for a neice who's birthday is coming up. Thanks for the time to write that tutorial. I will try it out today, now in fact!
Wow! What a great tutorial and what a cute little bag! I made one bag and I'm so proud! It's my first bag but, best of all, it's my first sewing project ever! It wasn't an 1-hour bag for me, more like a 1-morning bag but, hey, who cares when the result is this good! Thanks for the real simple tutorial!!
OMG! I absolutely love, love your pattern and tutorial! I get compliments everywhere I go with this bag. And so easy to follow your directions! Thank you so much for getting me back to sewing again and loving it! I'll make more. That's for sure!
Thank you so much for this great tutorial. I have made a couple of bags now and you can check them out on my blog http://divineserendipity.blogspot.com/
Again thank you.
cute cute! thanks for sharing your tutorial too!
Very cute bag! Might be a silly question..but what is A4 paper??
Thank you so much for this pattern! I made my bag in an expensive embroidered wool fabric but needed so little it cost me under $10. It looks fabulous and I'm very happy with it. It is quick, simple and stylish - what more could one want?
BTW, A4 paper is close to US letter size paper. It actually measures 21 cm x 29.5 cm. It is the standard size paper for printers in Australia and many other countries.
Cute!.Great tutorial and Thanks you so much.
this is so fab! keep it up! make more sampls of different pattern too! :) genius! im loving it!
Thanks so much for this... I made this bag for my sister;s birthday and she (and everyone there) loved it!
It was so quick & easy to do, too : )
I am going to make a slightly bigger one for my mom's birthday this month.
What an easy bag to make my mum made me a bag the other day....It is just gorgeous made out of Tapestry using Japanese Print.. As new bloggers we are getting more inspired to try different things LOL
Wow, what a lovely tutorial and indeed it does look very simple... just what I need! I dont' have much patience these days for big things, just little things. Your bags look very neatly sewn and professional, well done!
Joey x
Hi Jodie. I wanted to let you know that your 1 hour bag is my absolute favorite! I have made several on this tutorial and I actually USE them. I have cut out several more for future projects. The first one takes a bit longer than 1 hour but from the second onwards it's a breeze. Thanks so much for posting this lovely tutorial. I have posted a few of them on my Flickr list. Would be fab if you could start a Frickr group on this bag so we can see what other craftsters have made.
Sorry, forgot to ask. Where did you buy that fab orange and grey fabric?
Thank you for the awesome tutorial… Great blog, subscribed to your RSS feed.
Cool.. Nice work...
Excellent... It looks like you've made a pattern I can workout and finally finish! Tried making so many others and still piled up in a corner saying "come on, finish me, finish me now". Thanks, Minty
Thanks so much for this great tutorial! I just finished my bag, and though it took me more than an hour, it was fun to make and I love it.
Thanks for your very clear tutorial and photographs. I've been trying to make Burda's lined Charlie bag, without success. I think I'll just give up and reconfigure the fabric to make your bag!
Hi, I just found your blog and LOVE this purse. My question is, what is A4 paper? You drew your pattern on it, but I'm not familiar with what that is. Can you explain. Thanks!
Looking very easy thank you...
Thank you so much for this wonderful, easy-to-follow tute. I have made two bags with it and they have both turned out great. I'm not much of a bag maker, so the end result is a real tribute to your tute!
This bag is adorable! Thanks for the instructions!
Love it!!! been looking for a pattern to make my mum a bag for her birhtday & yours is so quick and easy and it looks good!! Thx so much!!
I LOVE YOU!!! :D
Love the bag.. Im going to have to try this out its supper cute love the fabric by the way and love your blog..
I can do this, I can do this, I can do this! Thanks for the tutorial! It is on my list of 'must do' this year!
I just finished this purse and I love it! I decided to put bows where the buttons should go, which looks pretty cute. I think this tutorial is GREAT. Thank you so very much for creating it!
Just finished the bag, thanks for posting the tutorial, it was a great inspiration!! You can check the finished project here if you like: http://miss-behave.de/2009/01/1-hour-bag/
Thank you for the great tutorial! I just finished the bag and i written also a german tutorial ... hope, many krauts can now sew the bag ;-)
Hi--thanks for the easy to follow pattern. I'm a beginner and made this bag with no problems! First try.
This is such a pretty bag!
Thank you 4 the nice and easy tutorial. I also sewed your bag but as I am a beginner it took me a little more than 1 hour xD...
Here it is:
http://kurzer-url.ch/06y2k1
Thank you Jodie!
Here my bag: http://gallinecreative.blogspot.com/2009/03/gallina-creativa.html
hello, im sharifah fr simplysewingroom.blogspot.com
its a great tutorial... a must try bag.. i love the strap with button.. creativ..
found your tutorial today, made this today too! photos on my blog in the next few days! thank you for sharing! great directions!
Now the bag has even reached Germany ;-) Just made my very first handbag after your tutorial - and I simply love the bag! It was a great tutorial, as I was NOT ONCE frustrated and never thought "I don't know what she means" ;-)
Thanks all the way from Hamburg to Australia!
Birgit
right im going to have a go at making this bag hopefully today so shall let you know how i get on with it..( or not as the case may be!!)
the tutorial looks really simple to follow thanks for posting it!!
charl
x
love it!
orange and brown rock :)
I've made two in the last week, using scrap flannel as interlining and two pockets inside, one on each side. I've since tried another pattern from a different site, and much prefer this one!
Thank you for posting such a great pattern!
Illinois sewer
Oooh I love it - this is on my "to make" list along with Kitschy cCos craft fair apron :)
a great tutorial...I was definitely be printing it off!! thank you!!
littlethingsjewelry.blospot.com
Thank you so much for this. I really wanted to make a bag today but all the other patterns I needed had to be printed off and I don't have a printer at home.
Just made this and I am a complete novice, took me about 1.5 hrs in total.
I made one of these for my sister for her birthday and she asked me where I bought the bag! It was completely worth the time I put into it! Thanks for the lovely tutorial. :)
hey...
i'm making one of it...
but ONE HOUR???
yesterday i start with the bag...and now, i have to sew the strap and add the buttons...
but it won't be the last bag...
sorry for my bad englisch...
"männi griets from germani"
:o) :o) :o)
p.s. I LOVE THIS BAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THAAAAAAAAAAAAANKS!
anonymous???
no... :D
SuNnY... from www.bastel-ecke.com
Thanks for the great pattern and tutorial! I found this page about one week ago and I already have two bags. This is so quick and easy and beautiful and practical bag to sew.
I'll make few more and I told about this pattern in my blog, too. Thanks alot!
I just found your page 2 days ago and made a purse just for me using the leftover of my hubby's pants (he cut off his for shorts)! great tutorial, thank you so much.
I added your link to my post too:
http://canadianhomelearning.blogspot.com/2009/06/purse-just-for-me-made-by-me.html
Hey!
I saw your link at Helminalle`s blog and I also made this bag. Thank you!
P.S. I`m from Finland
Hey! New bag again. Thanks for you!
thank you for the tutorial! bless people like you, so selfless about your talent!!! hope i will be able to make my own bag soon! this is a random move to just search on how to make a bag. glad i saw your blog!!! thanks agen.
Hi there!
i have link ur tutorial in http://diybaglover.blogspot.com/.
Hope u dont mind :)
I´ve just seen this pattern, it looks absolutly great... I think i will try one these bags very soon...
hey...
you can see my bag on my blog...
http://sunnyscreativwerkstatt.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/happy-friday-no3/
hugs from germany
SuNnY...
Thank you for this great tutorial!
It´s a wonderful bag!
I´ll try it soon.
love
Angie
Hello, i referred your tutorial on my blog. You can see them on: http://paneamoreecreativita.blogspot.com/2009/06/come-fare-una-borsa-per-lestate.html
I hope you like it.
Hello, linda
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