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

Add an Open Exterior Pocket
A divided pocket is sewn into the bottom and side seams of the bag back. This open pocket is the perfect place to stash nonvaluable items you need quick access to, such as pens or gum. First, edge the pocket top with faux leather trim, then attach the pocket to the bag back with a line of stitching that also divides the pocket in half.

1) Start with the exterior pocket piece and lining that are already basted, wrong sides together. The trim is a 2-inch-wide piece of faux leather, at least 21-inches long. Clip the trim to the pocket's exterior top edge, right sides together and edges aligned. Use a zipper foot with transparent tape on the bottom, and set the stitch length to 4-mm. Sew the trim to the pocket with a 3⁄8-inch seam allowance.

2) Wrap the trim up and over the pocket's top edge to the lining side. Clip in place. On the right side, stitch in the ditch over the first seam.

3) Trim the faux leather on the wrong side with pinking shears. Cut the trim's short ends flush with the pocket edges. Mark the pocket's dividing line at its vertical center, perpendicular to the trim.

4) Align the side and bottom edges of the exterior pocket and the bag back. Clip in place. Stitch to divide the exterior pocket. Sew with a 4-mm straight stitch along the pocket dividing line, from the bag bottom toward the pocket's trimmed top edge. One inch from the pocket top, switch to a satin or zigzag stitch (with a 1-mm stitch length and a 4-mm stitch width) to sew over the pocket's top edge and firmly secure it. Extend the satin stitch slightly beyond the pocket trim, then turn the work 180 degrees with the needle down, set the stitch back to straight and 4-mm long, and sew over the first stitching line back to the pocket's bottom edge.

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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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