Basic Bag

  ✂︎

Favorite

Comment

List

       

Share

• 

  Step 1

  Gather all of your supplies, I chose two coordinating fabrics in fun floral prints and matched them with a nice rich brown thread.

• 

  Step 2

  Cut two 14"x30" pieces of fabric from each of your fabric yards. With right sides together, sew together one of each 14"x30" along one 30" side with a 1/2" seam allowance. Open the fabric and press the seam open using your iron.

• 

  Step 3

  Fold your fabric in half perpendicular to the sewn line with the right sides together and sew the sides of your bag together, again using a 1/2" seam allowance.

• 

  Step 4

  To box the corners of the bag, flatten the corners, leaving the side seams running up the center (see photo) measure 2" from the corner up the seam and mark a line at the 2" spot running across the corner, squaring it off. Sew a straight stitch along the marked line.

• 

  Step 5

  Fold over the top edge of your bag about 1/2" to 3/4" down and press with your iron, creating a crease in the fabric. This will come in handy for Step #8.

• 

  Step 6

  Turn your bag Right side out. Using your ruler, start at the center line (where your 2 fabrics meet) and mark every 2" from the center point. Repeat on the other side of the front of your bag and again across the back. You should end up with 10 marks on each side.

• 

  Step 7

  Fold the first mark to the right of the center to meet the center point and pin in place. Fold the third mark from the center to meet the second mark and pin. Fold the fifth mark from center to meet the fourth mark and pin, creating pleats in the fabric. Repeat on opposite side working from left to right and repeat on back of bag as well until all marks are lined up and pinned. Sew a top stitch around the top of the bag leaving a 1/4" seam allowance, securing all pleats in place.

  ****Repeat Steps 2-7 to make a second bag which will be used as the lining.****

• 

  Step 8

  With the outside of the bag right side out and the lining bag inside out, slip lining into outside bag. Fold each bag along the crease made in Step #5. Match up outside bag and lining along the folded edge and pin the lining in place being careful to match up side seams, center seams and pleats. Sew a top stitch around opening of bag securing the lining in place using a 1/4" seam allowance.

• 

  Step 9

  Making The Handle:

  Cut one strip of fabric 7"x28" from each of your two fabrics and sew, right sides together, along the 7" side.

• 

  Step 10

  Fold in half along the longer axis and cut each end at a 45 degree angle. Sew along the angle and down the straight side to the other end leaving a gap to turn the handle right side out. After turning the handle right side out, press with your iron and sew a decorative top stitch around all sides of the strap.

• 

  Step 11

  Measure 10" from the pointed end of your handle and mark with a pin on each end. Pin the bag handle on the side of your bag and stitch in place. I stitched over this 3 times to secure in place.

• 

  Step 12

  Simply tie the bit of handle hanging down into a knot around the place where you've secured the strap and you're done!!

• 

  Step 13

  Enjoy your new DIY handbag!!

  Feel free to embellish with buttons, flowers, gems etc. for a bag all your own!

Comments

Leave your comment