About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
3h00

The "Ile Saint-Louis Bag"
While browsing the Anthropologie website last week, I saw this really cute bag. I could've choked when I saw the $498 price tag. So, I decided to have a go at making it myself. I'll have a how-to on it soon!

It took a few days (about 5 days) because I kept taking it apart and redoing it so I could get it to look like the picture. I think I managed to get pretty close to the real thing. I used the one color fabric as opposed to the contrast they used. I like it better all one color anyway. I also lined it with a fun white and yellow strip material (courtesy of a recycled shirt). It has patch pocket and a zip pocket on the inside as well.

What do you think?

The how-to has a lot of steps but hopefully you will like the outcome. I am excited to see your different versions!

Posted by Ms. Nikell from Charlotte, North Carolina, United States • Published See Ms. Nikell's 46 projects »
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  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 1
    Step 1

    -Draw your pattern like the one pictured at the left.

    -Put your fabric down and trace the pattern out.The straight edge is your fold. Your bag should also be 11" from top to bottom.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 2
    Step 2

    -Cut two of these pieces out.

    -Unfolded your bag should be 22" long at the top and 12 1/2" long at the bottom.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 3
    Step 3

    -Cut one strip of outer fabric that is 6" x 36" long

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 4
    Step 4

    -Pin the strip to one of the outer pieces. (right sides together)

    -Now sew it together.

    -Pin the other outer pieces to the strip and sew it.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 5
    Step 5

    -You should have a super wide bag similar to the picture at the left.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 6
    Step 6

    -Repeat steps one and two for the lining.

    -If you want to add pockets, add them before sewing the lining together.

    -Pin the lining pieces right sides together and sew.

    -Set the lining aside for now.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 7
    Step 7

    Grab the outer shell...

    -Starting at the center of the bag make four pleats on each side.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 8
    Step 8

    -Make inverted pleats on the side panel

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 9
    Step 9

    -After pleating, your bag should be about 11" wide at the top laying flat.

    -Baste (wide) stitch it all the way around the top to hold the pleats together.

    (Be careful when stitching. I messed my pleats up here and had to start over)

    -Set aside

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 10
    Step 10

    Grab the lining...

    -Sew a baste stitch all the way around the top of the lining.

    -Pull the bottom thread to gather the lining until it is the same size as your outer shell (11")

    -Tuck the lining into the outer shell as illustrated. The wrong side of the lining should face the wrong side of the outer shell.

    -Baste stitch them together.

    Your bag is starting to take shape!!

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 11
    Step 11

    Let's make the straps...

    -Cut two pieces that are 20"x6"

    -Fold and press the edges in 1" so pieces are 4 inches wide.

    -Then fold the entire piece in half and press.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 12
    Step 12

    -Stitch the edges together

    -Mark one inch from each end then fold the strip in half again.

    -Starting at on of the marks, sew along the stitch you just made until you get to the other mark.

    -Press the ends flat

    Set aside

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 13
    Step 13

    For the band...

    -Cut two pieces that are 24"x6"

    -Press the edges in 1"

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 14
    Step 14

    -Pin one piece to the inside of the bag as illustrated.

    -Sew along the bottom of the strip

    -Now pin the other piece to the outside of the bag and sew along the bottom as well.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 15
    Step 15

    -From the outside, your bag should look like the picture.

    -Pin the other piece to the outside of the bag and sew along the bottom

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 16
    Step 16

    -Pin the two band pieces together along the top

    -As you pin, position the straps between the two band pieces and pin them in as well

    -Sew everything together

    Almost there!!

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 17
    Step 17

    Let's make the bow...

    -Cut two rectangles that are 10"x7 1/2"

    -Pin them right side together and sew. Leave a small opening in the center of one of the long side for turning it right side out.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 18
    Step 18

    -Cut a small rectangle that is 1 1/2" wide and 2-3" long.

    -Press the edges in 1/4" so the strip is 1" wide

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 19
    Step 19

    -Fit the small rectangle around the larger one.

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 20
    Step 20

    -Sew the ends together to form your bow.

    -Hand stitch the bow to the center front of the bag.

    Drumroll please...

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 21
    Step 21

    Ta dah!!!!

    You have your very own Anthropologie Inspired Ile Saint-Louis Bag!!!

  • How to sew a bow bag. Anthropologie Inspired Bag - Step 22
    Step 22

    Post your super cute version below

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Comments

Ronald T.
Ronald T.
Awesome!
Reply
mercy.yerci
mercy.yerci · Nairobi, Nairobi, KE
i love this!!!
Reply
fathima A.
fathima A. · Dhaka, Dhaka Division, BD · 62 projects
got it!!!thanks....
Reply
fathima A.
fathima A. · Dhaka, Dhaka Division, BD · 62 projects
its nice but i didnt understand the 4t step!!!!
Ms. Nikell
Ms. Nikell · Charlotte, North Carolina, US · 52 projects
Hi,
In the 4th step, you're pinning and sewing the strip to the outer pieces. Let me know if you need any more help (^_^)
Reply
galaxi.aksesoris
galaxi.aksesoris · Pekanbaru City, Riau, ID
Thank you >_< wonderful tutorial, I like to make handmade accessories ^_^ , I hope we can share a lot of handmade things, please visit my site here : http://www.grosiraksesoriswanita.net/
Reply
ellie_luvs0122
ellie_luvs0122
very cool! i really love this!
Ms. Nikell
Ms. Nikell · Charlotte, North Carolina, US · 52 projects
Thanks a lot (^_^)
Reply
Teri
Teri · Albrechtičky, Moravian-Silesian Region, CZ · 34 projects
Oh, great idea. I want bag like this,but i am not sure if i can make it. =D
Reply
Teri
Teri · Charlotte, Michigan, US · 7 projects
I think your bag is cuter than the anthropology bag..Happy
Reply
xoxo- Brook
xoxo- Brook · Anchorage, Alaska, US · 3 projects
maybe i should make something like this for school!! how big does it end up??
Reply
Jenn H.
Jenn H. · United Kingdom, GB
Love it!
Reply
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