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

Create the Interior Pockets
The pockets within the bag are sewn much like the exterior open pocket. They are panels, segmented by vertical stitching and sized to fit in the lining's side and bottom seams. Two differences: The lining pockets are bound with fabric strips instead of faux leather, and they are divided into three compartments instead of just two.

1) Start with the interior pocket pieces and their contrast lining that are already basted together. Pin the right side of the 2-inch-wide silk dupioni binding to the wrong side of an interior pocket's top edge, with raw edges aligned. Sew through the binding and pocket layers with a 3⁄8-inch seam allowance. Trim the binding's short ends flush with the pocket edges. Repeat with the other binding piece and interior pocket.

2) Press the binding seam as sewn. Then, fold and press 3⁄8-inch along the unsewn binding edge. Wrap the binding over the pocket's top edge to the right side. Topstitch 1⁄8-inch from the fold to secure the binding to the pocket's right side. Repeat with the other interior pocket and binding piece.

3) Place the pockets on the lining pieces. To reduce bulk in the side seams, stagger the pocket's upper edges. Place one 10 inches and the other 10-1⁄2-inches from the bag bottom. Pin in place. Stitch the pocket bottom to the lining twice, 1⁄16-inch and 1⁄4-inch from the seam edge. Then sew the pocket compartments with seams perpendicular to the pocket bottom seam. Stitch through the pocket and lining layers as for the exterior open pocket, reinforcing the pocket's attachment at the upper edge with zigzag stitching.

Prev 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 next> View all

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

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.