Make an Embellished, Denim Fold-Over Bag

The Bohemian Fold-over Bag. The applique embellishment is stitched-down quilting-fabric circles.

The Bohemian Fold-over Bag. The applique embellishment is stitched-down quilting-fabric circles.

Photo: Sloan Howard

Sew a Handy Zippered Pocket
An enclosed, exposed zipper on the bag front opens a convenient pocket you can use even when the bag is folded. You'll sew a facing to the bag surface, cut an opening, then turn the facing and topstitch it as you sew in the zipper.

1) Place the zipper facing on the bag front, right sides together. Position the zipper facing so that the opening is parallel to and 9-1⁄2-inches from the bag front's top edge. Pin and/or clip the facing in place. You can pin through the faux leather within the marked zipper opening.

2) Sew around the opening with standard thread and a 3-mm stitch length. At each corner, pivot the work with the needle down for a clean 90-degree angle. Cut the zipper opening. Use a craft knife or sharp scissors to carefully cut along the opening's lengthwise center. Begin and end the cut 1⁄2-inch from each end. Angle cuts from the center to each corner, cutting up to, but not through, the stitching. Turn the facing through the opening to the bag interior. Clip the facing back.

3) Center the zipper, right side up, in the right-side-up zipper opening. Use masking or painter's tape to hold the zipper in place. Topstitch and sew the zipper in place 1⁄4 inch from the opening's edge. Stitch carefully and pivot with the needle down at the corners. Pull the tape off after stitching faux leather.

4) Place the zipper pocket lining piece (it's already basted to its muslin underlining) right side up beneath the zipper opening. Align the lining with the bag top edge, the bag side edges, and beneath the zipper opening. Clip in place. With topstitching thread still in the sewing machine, topstitch the side and bottom edges of the zipper opening again, over your first topstitching. Switch to regular thread, and baste the bag side and zipper pocket lining together 1⁄4-inch from each side and the top edge. This pocket is "upside down" when the bag is unfolded, but when the bag is folded over, the pocket is usable.

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SewStylish Magazine,
Posted on Aug 27th, 2012 in sewing, online extras, patterns, SewStylish, sewstylish fall 2012

Comments (11)

RosalindsMa writes: I'm one-third the way through and dreadfully confused, too. The pattern refers to bag sides, but the instructions refer to front and back. If I was making this from fabric, I'd give up but I'm using leather and have too much invested to give up.

Posted: 6:17 pm on December 15th

greeneyes21 writes: The only thing that was clear on this bag were the instructions for cutting circles and the supply list, although I think I bought faux leather that I don't need.

Where is the on-line instructions to view? I think I 'm stuck with fabrics and no bag for a Christmas gift.

Where is the link for the how-to video? Do you reply to these comments?

Posted: 12:31 pm on November 19th

greeneyes21 writes: I have been sewing for over 75 years but I, also, find this pattern confusing. And, The templates could be a lot larger. I had to get the magnifying glass out to read the dimensions even though I have no trouble reading small print without glasses. I'll make the bag but only because I have enough experience to make the pattern work for me.
Posted: 11:45 am on October 31st

kitten73 writes: This isn't the easiest pattern to follow. I wish I hadn't bothered starting it. The pattern page misses out the fleece, maybe its obvious, but adds to confusion. The denim bag still has faux leather instead of denim when you put the peices together, I couldn't work out if it was talking about the strap pieces at first. It wold be easier if the lengths of the straps were on the pattern page. The part where you baste the muslin and lining is confusing as you have already clipped the muslin and lining to the bag fabric. Scratching my head a lot over this, and it's written by a teacher. Hmm
Posted: 10:35 am on October 16th

user-2079765 writes: I cannot find the online video for the foldover denim bag. Can you please help?
Sandy
Posted: 3:55 pm on September 6th

user-1136308 writes: I want to change the size of the Bohemian Bag. I see no measurement in the instructions to cut the pieces other than the 22"x18" finished size. Can you add the cutting instructions for the bag so I can resize it?
Thanks for the help
Emma Lee
Posted: 1:26 pm on September 6th

bubbecraft writes: To Arlene: it isn't a pattern that you print and use to cut your fabrics. You simply follow the dimensions written in the instructions and cut pieces to those dimensions. Hope that helps you.
Posted: 12:20 am on September 5th

arlene writes: Such a handy bag. I'd love to make one, but the pattern won't print nicely for me. Can you please put the pattern on 2 pages? Thanks so much.
Posted: 10:51 pm on September 4th

smcfarland writes: Hi Donna, I can tell you about the finished size. The completed bag is a very roomy 22 inches long and 18 inches wide. There is about 3 inches depth at the bottom boxed corners. The zipper/fold line is set 8 inches below the bag's top edge. I'll add this information to the post text. Thanks for asking! - Sarah McFarland, issue editor
Posted: 12:46 pm on September 4th

Donna_R writes: Nice Patter. Anyway we could find out the finished size?
Posted: 9:49 am on September 2nd

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