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Pattern notes:
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This easier-to-make-than-it-looks yummy-licious bag has a simple shape. This allows your fabric choice to be the star of the show and really pop! The boxy shape is firm and crisp so the bag can stand up by itself. Its really pretty & really professional!

Pattern is based on a landscape rectangle - see instructions for measurements. All seam allowances are 3/8 (1cm) unless stated otherwise. Pattern pieces have 3/8 (1cm) seam allowance included. WSO/RSO/WST/RST = wrong/right side out/wrong/right sides together. Right/wrong side = front or pattern/reverse side of fabric. Finished size: 13 x 9 x 4 (33cm x 23cm x 10cm)

What youll need (to shop for the materials click on the links below):
A pair of 6 1/2in x 6in Bamboo Bag Handles with hooks. 1/2 yrd (50cm) Medium fusible interfacing 1yrd (1m) Ultra firm fusible interfacing 1/2yrd (50cm) Heavy sew-in interlining 1 set of magnetic snaps 1 6/8in (18mm) 1 set of protective bag feet 6/8in (16mm) 1 Medium Grid Bag Bottom

1/2 yrd (50cm) lining loremipsum dolor met set fabric (Ive used quilt weight cotton) and matching thread quamnunc 1/2 parum yrd (50cm) exterior fabric (Ive used quilt weight cotton) and matching thread 2007 Disappearing fabric marker Pins or Sewing Clips
2012 U-Handbag.com Patterns

Sewing Patterns

The Love Basket

How to make the Handbag

Steps to prepare
1. Before you begin, have a read through the instructions and follow them in order. 2. Cut: 2 x rectangles 14 (W) x 12 (H) (36cm x 31cm) of exterior fabric and lining fabric for the main body. Right way up = landscape. 2 x rectangles of med fusible interfacing 14 x 12 (36cm x 31cm) for the main body. Now iron the interfacing to the WS of both exterior main body fabric pieces. 2 x rectangles of heavy weight interlining 14 x 12 (36cm x 31cm) for the main body. 2 x rectangles of Ultra Firm fusible interfacing 14 x 12 (36cm x 31cm) for the main body. 1 strip of 9 1/2 x 2 3/8 (24cm x 6cm) of exterior fabric for the handle loops. 2 x rectangles 4 6/8 x 2/3/8 (12cm x 6cm) lining fabric for the magnetic snap tabs. 2 x rectangles 4 6/8 x 2/3/8 (12cm x 6cm) med fusible interfacing for the magnetic snap tabs. Now iron the interfacing to the WS of both magnetic snap tab fabric pieces. 2 x rectangles 4 6/8 x 2/3/8 (12cm x 6cm) heavy sew-in interlining for the magnetic snap tabs. 3. Trim off 1/2" (13mm) all around both of the ultra firm interfacing pieces (this will reduce bulk at the seams and make life a whole lot easier!)
Fig 1. Push the snap prongs through the RS of the tab fabric and the 2 layers of Heavy Sew-in interlining.

Fig 2. Fold the mag snap tab in half RST and stitch down both the long side edges

Fig 3. The arrows are pointing to a line of stitches situated just above the mag snap (this stitching will help the tabs sit nicely inside the finished bag). Trim off any untidy bits from the top edges of the tabs.

2012 U-Handbag.com Patterns

4. Position the trimmed ultra firm interfacing pieces centrally onto the WS of one of the bag exterior pieces (on top of the medium interfacing) and iron in place. Repeat with the other ultra firm interfacing piece. 5. Make up the handle loops - take the handle loop fabric strip. With the fabric strip WSU fold in half lengthways, iron and open out. Fold in both the long edges to the centre crease line and iron. Fold the whole strip along the fold (so it all resembles a book jacket cover). Topstitch along both long edges and divide the resulting strip into 4 equal lengths. Set aside. Steps to the magnetic snap tabs: 6. Take one of the fabric mag snap tab pieces and fold it in half RST by bringing the short edges together. 7. Mark a small x for the mag snap position 5/8 (1 1/2cm) up from the (just) folded edge (which will form the bottom edge of the mag snap flap). Unfold the fabric mag snap tab piece. 8. Take one of the mag snap tab heavy sew-in interlining pieces and fold it in half by bringing the short edges together. Place the folded heavy sew-in behind the X marking you made in Step 7. so that all of the edges meet. Cut a 5/8 (1 1/2cm) square of heavy sew-in (for mag snap reinforcement) and place it behind the X marking hold in place with your fingers for the next step. 9. Using a stitch/seam ripper make 2 tiny incisions for the mag snap prongs through the RS of the mag snap flap fabric (using the x mark as a guide). Push the prongs of the snap through the incisions (though all 3 layers). See fig 1. Place the washer over the prongs at the back and push the prongs down away from each other. 10. Fold up the mag snap tab RST and stitch along the open sides with a 1/4 (5mm) seam allowance. See fig 2. Clip the bottom corners and turn the mag snap tab RSO and iron out any creases. Now stitch a line across the width the mag tabs 2/8 (7mm) above the top of the mag snap. See fig 3.

Fig 4. Only pin in the seam allowance because the Ultra firm interfacing is too stiff for pins. Try using sewing clips instead, theyre so handy!

Fig 5. Flatten one of the bottom corners - look inside the bag to check that the side seam meets the bottom seam. Grab a ruler, measure 2 (5cm) in from the tip of the triangle and draw a line that is right angle to the side seam.

Fig 6. Stitch along the marked line ensuring your beginning and ending stitches are nice and secure. Trim off the excess fabric as shown.

2012 U-Handbag.com Patterns

11. Repeat Steps 6 - 10 for the other mag snap tab. If necessary trim off any uneven edges from the top edge of the mag snap tabs. Set the tabs aside. Steps to the bag exterior: 12. Bring the 2 exterior fabric pieces RST. Neatly match up all edges, pin (in the seam allowance only) and stitch along the sides and bottom. As you stitch ensure your needle is just 1/16 (2mm) to the left of the Ultra firm interfacing. We DONT want to sew thru the Ultra firm because it will make turning RSO really awkward - urgh! 13. Create a flat bottom for the bag. Grab one of the bottom corners of the exterior bag and match the side seam with the bottom seam. Flatten to form a triangle. From the tip of the triangle measure in 2 (5cm) and mark the line and pin See Fig 5. 14. Stitch along the line you made in Step 13 and then trim off excess See Fig 6. Repeat Steps 12-13 for the other bottom corner. 15. Now iron the side and bottom seams open. As the bag is stiff it will be too awkward to use an ironing board: instead get yourself a clean tea towel to protect your hand. Now you can use your hand as a mobile ironing board! Get your covered hand into the bag, peel the side and bottom seams apart and iron them flat. 16. Turn the exterior bag RSO. I wont lie - this will be awkward and there will be horrible creasing and scrunching. Fear not, the creases will iron out. The Ultra firm interfacing DOES iron out very very well. You just gotta trust me on this one :) Push out the corners with a fat knitting needle or other similar blunt tool and iron out any creases (no need to be that thorough with the ironing at this stage).

Fig 7. Handle loops and mag snap tab (and optional pocket) are stitched in place onto the RS of the lining.

Fig 8. Insert the exterior bag completely into the lining bag as shown in the pic.

Fig 9. match up the side seams and raw top edges of the lining and the exterior bags. Pin all around the top edge - in the seam allowance only.

2012 U-Handbag.com Patterns

17. Now to make a flat bottom. Turn the bag upside down and measure and mark at regular intervals 2 (5cm) either side of the bottom seam. Use these markings to pinch and crease a flat bottom for the bag. We are aiming for a bag base which is 9 x 4 (23cm x 10cm). The Ultra firm interfacing will crease neatly and crisply. 18. Now you have folded the bag base measure your bag base and use the measurements to cut the grid bag bottom to size. To make fitting & insertion easier cut the grid ever so slightly smaller than the bag base measurements. 19. Make tiny pen markings for the bag feet on the RS bottom of the bag 6/8 (2cm) square in from the edge. Using the markings as a guide use a seam ripper make tiny incisions for the bag feet prongs. Now make corresponding markings on the grid bag bottom for the bag feet. Use small scissors to snip tiny incisions in the grid (just large enough to accommodate the bag feet prongs). 20. Insert the Grid Bag Bottom into the bottom of the exterior. Turn the exterior bag upside down, put your hand in the exterior bag to support the grid bag bottom and apply the purse feet. Push the feet prongs through the RS of the exterior bag and through the Grid Bag Bottom, press the bag feet prongs down this will help secure the grid bag bottom in position. Repeat with the other 3 feet. Steps to the bag lining: 21. Lay each lining main body piece RSU onto a heavy sew-in main body piece. Match all edges, pin and treat as one layer. 22. Optional inner pocket - Cut 2 rectangles 8 x 6 (20cm x 15cm) of exterior fabric. Bring both pocket pieces RST, pin and stitch all around leaving a 3 (8cm) gap in the pocket bottom edge. Clip the corners, iron the seams open and turn RSO through the gap. Iron pocket and pin (with gap facing down) to the RS centre of one of the lining fabric pieces 3 (7 1/2cm) down from the top edge of the lining. Topstitch the pocket to the lining piece all around the sides and bottom of the pocket (sewing the gap in the pocket shut as you sew).
2012 U-Handbag.com Patterns
Fig 10. Gently tease and pull the exterior bag out through the gap in the bottom of the lining.

Fig11. Unscrew one of the hooks on the bamboo handles and thread the hook through one of the handle loops.

23. Bring both of the lining fabric pieces RST, neatly match up all edges, pin and stitch together along the sides and bottom leaving a 7 (18cm) opening in the bottom. 24. Create a flat bottom in the lining as in Steps 13-14. 25. On the RS of the lining make 4 markings for the 4 handle loops; approx 3 1/2 (9cm) in from the side seams BUT check with your bag handles for a proper fit. 26. Fold a handle loop in half and place it onto the RS of lining onto one of the 4 markings you made in Step 25. Ensure the raw edges of the handle loop and the top edge of the lining meet. Stitch the handle loop onto the lining 1/4 (1/2cm) from the edge See Fig 7. Repeat for the other three handle loops. 27. Place the mag snap tabs (with mag snap facing out and raw top edge uppermost) onto the RS centre top edge of one of the lining fabric pieces. Pin in position and stitch the tab to lining close to the edge. See Fig 7. Repeat with the other mag snap tab and lining fabric piece.

30. Turn the bag upside down and carefully tease the bag exterior completely out through the opening in the lining. See fig 10. Again there will be lots of horrible scrunching, but all will be fine and ironed out - promise! 31. Stitch the gap in the lining shut by pushing the seam allowance inside the hole and topstitching close to the edge for a neat finish. Pop the lining into the exterior. Place a clean tea towel over the exterior and iron out any creases in the bag (use a travel sized iron if possible - it's handier for getting into them nooks and crannies!) The tea cloth will prevent any goo or scorch marks getting onto your yummy new bag. 32. Still using the tea towel - iron the top edge of the bag making sure the lining does not ride up above the top edge. Fold both magnetic snap tabs down into the bag and hold them down with your fingers as you topstitch 3/8 (1cm) from the edge all around the top of the bag. Make sure your bottom thread colour matches the lining! Iron bag again if necessary. 33. Now for the handles. Unscrew the pin from one of the handle hooks and insert the hook into one of the bags handle loops See fig 11. Reassemble the handle by screwing the pin back in through the handle and hook. Repeat for the remaining 3 handle hooks. Ta dah! Gorgeous or what?

Steps to constructing the bag:

28. Insert the bag exterior (still turned RSO) into the bag lining. The right sides of the bag exterior and the lining should now be touching each other. See Fig 8. 29. Carefully line up the raw top edges and side seams of the bag exterior and bag lining and pin together See Fig 9. This will be a bit awkward because the feet on the exterior bag will make the exterior taller than the lining, but persevere, show it whos boss! Stitch along the top of the bag.

2012 U-Handbag Patterns. Copyright Notes: You are welcome to hand make items from our patterns for commercial and non-commercial use. We are happy for you to sell items made from our designs on Etsy or market stalls etc. However, permissions for commercial use do not include factory manufacture for mass production and mass selling. We respectfully ask you to not to pass off our pattern designs as your own creation and do not reproduce this pattern anywhere. Thanks for your understanding :)

2012 U-Handbag.com Patterns