This week I updated the instructions for my Reversible Shoulder Bag pattern I first posted in August and I created a photo tutorial (below). I love how this bag is both casual and streamlined at the same time. It's put together with only four pieces of fabric and should be easy enough for an advanced beginner to complete. The finished size is 27 inches tall and 35 inches around.
Downloads:
Illustrated pdf instructions (includes pattern diagram) link
Tiled pdf pattern link
Instructions
Step 1: Create your pattern. Use the diagram in the pdf instructions, updated January 2008, (click here to download) to draw the pattern on large paper. Or, print the pattern from the tiled pdf (click here to download the tiled pattern). Assemble the pattern (read how to do it here).
Step 2: Arrange the pattern on your fabric.
Tip: If you are short on fabric, make a seam at the top of the handle instead of placing it on the fold. Before continuing, cut the handle 1/2 inch longer and stitch together.
Cut one each of bag body and bottom from fabric A and fabric B. You now have four total pieces.
Step 3: Pin body of fabric A to body of fabric B, right sides together, along curved edges and handle. Stitch using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving sides open.
Step 4: Clip the curved edge.
Turn right side out through the handle.
Step 5: You can now see the bag starting to take shape. This is a good time to press the handle of the bag.
Open the bag so the wrong side is facing and the handle is in the middle. Press the seams open a few inches. Next, stitch the side seams. With right sides together, match seams and fabrics and stitch using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Step 6: Press seams open.
Topstitch on each side of the side seams, stitching only through the body of the bag and the seam allowance.
Step 7: Place pins or clip at center of each side of bag and at each end of bottom piece. (To find the centers of the bottom piece, fold in half lengthwise and widthwise.) Baste around bottoms of bag body. With right sides together, align center of long edge of Fabric A bottom piece with the side seam of Fabric A bag and pin. Match pins at short end of bottom piece with pins bag centers.
Step 8: Pull basting stitches on bag body to gather along short ends of bag bottom. Pin in place. Stitch using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Repeat for the fabric B side of bag, leaving an opening next to a side seam about four inches long.
Step 9: Pull the bag right side out through the opening in the bottom of fabric B bag.
Stitch the opening closed by hand.
Step 10: Press where necessary and topstitch around curved edges and handle.
I'd love to hear questions or comments about the pattern. And if you make one I'd love to see pictures. If you don't feel like making one yourself, I'm thinking about making some to sell on etsy. I'll post about it when the time comes.
80 comments:
I've been thinking of making a little bag for a while. One I could fold and carry everywhere in case of need. One like this... Thanks for the tutorial.
So cute and simple to do. The choice of fabrics is only limited by the type of care they require. This bag would be a great for the beach. I had a thought as I was looking at the pattern. You could add decorative rings on each side to clip keys, phone, etc. I would put the rings about halfway up from the bottom of the bag since whatever is clipped has a tendency to drag down the fabric. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Thanks for the tutorial! I will be making one of these...so cute and your instructions seem very thorough...love your blog.
Neat! I need to make a couple of these to keep on hand. Thanks for the pattern!
Love the Bag can't wait to make one...
i was wondering if you would be able to tell me the size of the pattern pieces as i don't have a computer and would have to draft my own. this is a fabulous bag!
Hi there! Thanks for visiting everyone and for the compliments!
d+r: There is a diagram for drawing your own pattern on the last page of the instructions pdf. You'll find the link under the Downloads header towards the top of the post. The diagram gives dimensions in inches.
So so great !
Thank you !
[And thanks to my sweety darling who found your blog and told me...]
g.
Nice bag, I want to make one now! Thanks for posting the instructions
oh this is a fantastic tutorial! i love yoru blog thank you thank you! -kb
this is adorable!!! (: can't wait to [try] to make it!! thank you soooooo much for this tutorial!
Oh, I love this! I'm so making myself one as soon as I get a break from work. :) Great tutorial, thanks for posting!!
Thanks for the great bag pattern! I made one last week and it's fantastic. Instead of top stitching the side seam, I stitched some ribbon over it (to hide my crooked sewing ...).
So cool, I need to make one myself STAT!!!
best. tote. tutorial.... EVER!
I just finished the bag minutes ago. I LOVE IT!!! Thank you so much for the great pattern and detailed instructions. I'm definitely going to make another one soon.
Thank you so much for this tutorial and the pattern! I just finished mine! You can see it here
I just started mine!! :D thank you so much for your pattern and all the love you put in it, my greetings from Chile
I finished my bag this weekend. It's my vacation beach bag and I love it. I'm getting ready to make another. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you!! This will be the first bag I ever make...!
I am stuck on step 6. How do I top stitch the sides of them hem? when they get small near the curve. I don't know if I make sense I am stuck... sorry.
Hi Katie- I'm so sorry you're stuck! Step 6 is mostly for decorative effect so don't worry if you can't figure it out. But I'll try to explain.
In Step 5 you stitched the side seams. In Step 6 you're going to stitch down those seam allowances. There aren't any curves on these seams. These are the straight up and down ones. The curved seams around the handle are top stitched at the very end. I hope this helps!
I had done step 5 wrong.... I had sewed the opposite fabrics together and so I tore it out and fixed it and then got step 6! :) yea. This was my first sewing project since home ec (in 7th grade) and I am 24, I am super excited and love my new purse. I just have to finish the hole from turning it. Do you have a flickr group yet??? Thanks for the instructions and your help.
Katie-
I'm so glad it worked out! Congratulations! There isn't a flickr group but that's a good idea. I'm flattered actually. I'll post about it if/when I start one.
Beth
I made 2 more purses for my sisters and a lunch bag off the purl bee site and a new ironing board cover! What a productive holiday weekend. Hope you have a good trip!
Hi Beth!
First of all I have to say that your site and blog are very nice and useful and show all of your passion :)
I made your bag model in about 12 hours.. I've just finished testing it on everyday life and I find it very beautiful and comfortable!
Here it is: http://pippilu.altervista.org/donotdelete/bag.jpg
http://pippilu.altervista.org/donotdelete/bag2.jpg
I also added a couple of pockets on the inside, to better arrange my stuff :D
Really Thanks for your sharing!!
Here is my reversible bag: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23168307@N03/
I hope I posted that link correctly. This is a gift for my sis in New York. Wonderful project, easy tutorial, great outcome. Can't recommend enough. Thank you so much for going to the trouble of posting a tutorial and pattern pdf!
Very nice bag! Thanks for sharing the instructions.
I have a bag almost identical to this (that I absolutely love) that I received as a gift from my cousin. I love it so much that the seam at the top of the handle has started to tear. Do you have any recommendations for how to re-sew that part without having to pull the whole bag apart?
Thanks
Hi Jenny!
If the fabric around the seam is not too frayed, I would do an invisible slip stitch along the folded edges. If the fabric is really falling apart maybe do a patch? A patch might reinforce that area from future wear.
In general to avoid taking it all apart, try to fold raw edges inside and then sew along the folded edges by hand or machine.
Cheers! B
Very cute!! I have a vision of a dark denim shoulder bag with red wallpaper print lining and red topstitching. How cute would that be?!
I plan to make one of these soon. Thanks for the tute!
My name is Holly Cazabon of Artella, an online playground for writers, artists, and creative spirits.
You can check out our web site at www.ArtellaLand.com
I wanted to let you know that we featured your Web site in our LinkLatte™ newsletter on April 4, 2008.
LinkLatte is a fun little gift we send each morning to our extensive member mailing list, which also appears in our daily creativity newspaper, The Artella Daily News (http://www.artelladailymuse.com).
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Thanks for having such an inspiring and creative site!
Holly Cazabon
Administrative Support
www.artellaland.com
we made the bag...and love them
go look!
www.smartdame.blogspot.com
I hope it's ok...we linked you
Myssi
Beginner here... Was it hard to pull the fabric through the handle? Especially with the Denim? or was there enough give room? I am totally loving this bag!
I just finished this bag, and I love it.
If I make it again though, I'll probably add about an inch or so to the strap, it's a little shorter than I like my shoulder straps.
Other than that, an awesome pattern!
This is an amazing bag for a mom! I made one for a friend and she loves that she can use it as a purse and throw in a diaper, wipes and a camera as she goes out the door with her daughter and she is all set! We are going away for the weekend with our 5 month old and I'm making one for myself so that I don't have to carry around a diaper bag all weekend.
I'm stuck at step 7. I can't seem to get how to connect the bottom to the bag.
Hi Cristie,
Let's see if I can help with step 7.
1. You have two bottom pieces and two sections of the bag. Start with the bag right side of fabric facing. It looks almost done except for those raw edges at the bottom.
2. Next lift the bottom edge of one section so that the bag is inside out. The handle is in the middle between the two sections. It just stays there.
At this point it might seem like you're going backwards. You're going to sew the bottoms to each side separately and then turn the bag right side out.
3. To make the bag fit the slightly smaller bottom, you'll need to gather two opposite sides of the bag. Stitch long basting stitches around the bottom each side of the bag.
4. Pin the bottom to the bag, matching centers and evenly distributing gathers.
5. Stitch leaving an opening on one side for turning.
There's also a pdf with illustrated instructions you can download by clicking the link in the sidebar. If you have more questions you can send me an email me by clicking the "email me" button in the sidebar. Good luck and I hope this helps!
fantastic bag - thanks for the pattern. I've just finished mine and am very pleased with it!. I would like to make one for my daughter and her friend . Can you suggest how to scale down to make a smaller size bag?
Hi izzi-wizzi,
I have had success scaling down this bag proportionally. I think the easiest thing to do is to download the "pdf of instructions & diagram" by clicking the link in the sidebar. The third page of the pdf has a schematic for the pattern. Then scale each of the measurements proportionally to make a smaller size, like when adjusting a cooking recipe.
The small bag I have looks about 2/3 the size of the original and it would be considered a mini bag by adult standards. It fits just under my arm and holds the bare minimum of stuff.
I'm so glad you like the bag and I hope you have success scaling it down!
Cheers! Beth
WOW, thanks for the tutorial!
Have been seeing these bags around and wanted to design my own with pockets and such...thanks for your great pattern!
Thanks for the great tutorial. I linked to this from my blog, with pictures of the bag I made today. If you would prefer, I can take the links down. Just loved your blog so much!
Link away! I don't have a problem with it at all.
I had a good time making this tote! Not hard at all. I'm going to make the next one with 4 different vintage sheets.
I made this bag today!! its easy and beautiful! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing Lula, both my daughter and I have made this bag, it is adorable! we added an oversized pocket on each side, so no matter which way you use it, there is an interior and exterior pocket. Thanks again!! KellysSewing
I love your tutorial. I have made many of these bags. They're so quick and easy.
I hope you dint mind if I put a link to your tutorial on my page.
Thank you for this clear tutorial. I love this bag. Hope you don't mind that I put a link on my weblog.
Hello! I made this bag and it's great! Thanks for sharing it with us.
I've emailed you because I'd like to have your permission to post in my blog a translation I've made. Please contact me at celestejedora@gmail.com
Thanks a lot!
Bye from Argentina,
Celes :)
So cute .I`m thinking on making one this weekend.Thanks for the tutorial
Hello--
I'm trying to reach you to request permission to link to your tutorial (and share a photo) for our upcoming Handmade Holidays on the Sew,Mama,Sew! blog. I couldn't find your contact information (though it is late!). Would you mind emailing so I can give you the details? We love your project and would like to share it with our readers.
Thank you!
Beth
beth(at)sewmamasew(dot)com
Beth:
I made your bag for use at school to carry books around, but when we were sewing it we found most of your instrusctions, especially the ones about putting the bottom pieces onto the different fabrics by pulling them out, very confusing, we have had to modify the finished project. Sorry, but i probably wouldn't make yours again
Maddy
This bag is fantastic!!!!!!! I have only been sewing for 3 days and I am having success with this bag! I LOVE the size as most purses have too short of handles.
This is only my fourth sewing project ever and it is looking fantastic!
Hi Courtney, congratulations! Good luck with your future sewing endeavors!
Maddy, I'm sorry that you had trouble. It sounds like it might have been step 8 that you found confusing. I probably should have said something like, "Pull the bobbin thread from the long basting stitches to create gathers and fit the bag body to the bag bottom." Making gathers can take some practice. A beginning sewing book should help explain the process.
Beth wow great great turorial I hadn't sewn naything big since school 14yrs ago! I got through all the steps thanks to your clear instructions and it looked brilliant my friends thought I was pulling their leg when i said I made it this afternoon! I found sewing up the hole at the end a bit fiddly, mainly as my fabric was patterned and I didn't want the stitches to show. I'm going to try making a smaller one too. Fantastic:D
Beautiful! Thanks so much :-) Here's the one I made: http://ajthepurple.blogspot.com/2009/03/batman-bag.html
It's Batman and I added pockets. Love that it's reversible!
Thanks for sharing this great tutorial! I am an absolute beginner, but I think, with your instructions I can do it ;-)
Greetings from Germany!
love the floral pattern & simplicity!
I just finished my first bag. Thank you for fantastic design and instructions!
With love from Sweden,
Camilla
Thanx for sharing your passion with us!
Hi! I have made one for me and I am loving it so much I am taking it everywhere with me. And it looks like this: http://caszakreativnost.blogspot.com/2009/05/poletje-jaz-sem-pripravljena.html
Thx for sharing the pattern with us!
I finished my bag and added 2 things, a pouch on the handle to put cell phone or ipod. I also added a large divided pouch to one side to put a book, water bottle etc. when reversed the pouch is on the inside. I was going to add a place to put a ring for keys but forgot to do it when stitching up the sides.
Hi there!
i have link ur tutorial in http://diybaglover.blogspot.com/.
Hope u dont mind =)
Hi. Does anyone have the approximate measurements for the two different sizes of bags?
We are totally confused. You say it is only 4 pieces . Are there 4 pieces for each type of material? Also, the bottom seems too big for the bag body! We are beginners, so please help!
The finished size of the large bag is 27 inches tall and 35 inches around. The finished size of the small bag is roughly 16 inches tall and 20 inches around.
There are four pieces total for this bag (two of each fabric). Once the sides of the body are sewn together, the bottom is actually smaller than the body. I hope this gets you started.
am sure that I am going to make one...
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
Thanks! The bag was really good!
Hola
soy de Chile y tambien hice la cartera :D este es el link http://dumuzibebe.blogspot.com/2009/08/cartera-poncho-cumpleanos.html
Mil gracias.
Marcela.
Thanks for this great tutorial and for the pattern. Using it I made my first handbag ever - and am SO proud!!! :-)
You can see it here
http://muffinsnmore.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-first-handbag.html
Hello!
Thanks for sharing your ReversibleShoulderBag pattern
It's so cute
I made one for my daughter, she likes it so much
Have a good day!
Thanks,
Salma
I just made this bag for a craft swap! I love how it turned out!! I was a bit afraid of the round bottom but it turned out fine! It is sooo cute! Now I want to make one for myself and I will probably add some pockets
Would love to make this bag for the holidays and would love to include a link on my own blog if that's ok.
Can't wait to try. Have added it to my personal crafting to do list on my blog.
http://redirecteddreams.blogspot.com/
Thanks much!
Love this tutorial. I hope you don't mind that I included a link (with picture) from my site.
great tutorial!
It made me confident enough to actually try sewing this bag myself
Great story as for me. I'd like to read more about this theme.
By the way check the design I've made myself London escort
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
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