Big Bow Satchel

The Build Bag Book: Satchels

Posted by Search Press

About

I’ve used a home décor-weight fabric with a woven pattern for this satchel; when choosing fabric with a woven design, take a look at the wrong side – you may find a delightfully contrasting pattern that can be used to create a striking effect!

Finished size
29.5 x 24 x 6.5cm (11½ x 9½ x 2½in), excluding strap

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You Will Need (5 things)

  • 102 x 69cm (40 x 27in) outer Fabric
  • 76.5 x 38.5cm (30 x 15in) Lining Fabric
  • 30.5 x 18cm (12 x 7in) Fusible Fleece
  • 
76.5 x 32cm (30 x 12½in) fusible 
foam Stabilizer
  • Magnetic Snap fastener

Steps (16 steps, 120 minutes)

  1. 1

    Using your template
    Cut the following:
    • 
2 square satchel pieces from outer 
fabric and foam stabilizer, on the fold
    • 
2 square satchel pieces from lining, on 
the fold
    • 
4 square flaps from outer fabric and 
1 square flap from fusible fleece, on 
the fold
    • 1 square base from outer fabric and 
 foam stabilizer, not on the fold
    • 1 square base from lining, not on the fold
    • 2 square sides from outer fabric and
 foam stabilizer, not on the fold
    • 2 square sides from lining, not on the fold

    Also cut:
    • 
10 x 102cm (4 x 40in) outer fabric for 
the strap
    • 
10cm (4in) square outer fabric for the 
centre of the bow

  2. 2

    Sew two of the outer square flap pieces right sides together for your bow, leaving a turning gap of about 7.5cm (3in) in one side. Snip across the corners, turn right side out and edge-stitch all the way around.

  3. 3

    Sew the 10cm (4in) square right sides together along one side to make a tube. Turn right side out. I deliberately used one side of the fabric for the main part of the bow and the other for the knot as a feature.

  4. 4

    Wrap the tube around the centre of the sewn flap, gathering the flap piece in the middle, and hand-sew at the back to make a bow, as shown.

  5. 5

    Make an open-ended strap from the 102cm (40in) length of outer fabric.

  6. 6

    Fit the slim half of the magnetic snap to one of the remaining square flap 
pieces, centrally, 2.5cm (1in) from the bottom.

    Tip Add a jewelled brooch to the centre of the bow for a glam evening look!

  7. 7

    Fuse fleece to the wrong side of the remaining flap piece. Sew the two flap pieces right sides together, leaving a turning gap in one side of about 7.5cm (3in). Snip across the corners, turn right side out and edge-stitch around the seam.

  8. 8

    Fuse foam stabilizer to the wrong sides of the remaining outer pieces (the satchel front, back, sides and base). Fit the second half of the magnetic snap to the centre front of the bag, 7.5cm (3in) from the top.

  9. 9

    Sew the flap right sides together to the centre of the back satchel piece.

  10. 10

    Sew a side panel to each side of the front of the bag, right sides together.

  11. 11

    Sew in the back of the bag, right sides together.

  12. 12

    Sew in the base, right sides together, then turn the bag right side out.

  13. 13

    Sew the lining pieces together in the same way, leaving a turning gap in the base of about 13cm (5in).

  14. 14

    Sew the ends of the strap, facing downwards, to each side of the bag. Make sure it’s not twisted!

  15. 15

    Drop the bag inside the lining, right sides together and matching the seams, then sew around the top.

    Turn right side out, then hand-sew the opening closed.

    Push the lining inside the satchel, then edge-stitch around the top.

  16. 16

    Hand-sew the bow to the flap, with the centre of the bow 2.5cm (1in) from the edge; put a few stitches around the bow to secure it.