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

Construct the Bag
The seams that join the top and side layers also attach the top handles and the ring tabs to connect the shoulder strap. The bag and lining are sewn together at the top edge with a piece of faux leather trim sandwiched in the seam. When the bag is turned, the trim folds down into the bag interior to protect the lining's top edge.

1) Find and mark the center of the bag front's top edge. Clip or pin a handle in place on the right side, placing each end 2-1⁄4-inches from the mark. Angle each end so that the handle corner closest to the mark is about 1⁄2-inch below the top. Baste the handle in place with a 1⁄4-inch seam allowance. Repeat with the other bag handle.

2) Baste the ring tabs in place. Fold each tab through a ring. Fold the tab in half at a 45-degree angle, and pin or clip the folded tab to the bag front's edge, aligning it with the zipper opening center. Baste the tabs in place with a 1⁄4-inch seam allowance. Trim the tab ends even with the bag body's edge.

3) Sew the bag bottom seam. With right sides together and edges aligned, clip the bag front and back pieces together along the bottom edge. Use a 3.0-mm to 4.0-mm stitch length to sew the bottom seam with a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance. Finger-press the bottom seam open. Fold the bag body right sides together. Align and clip the top and side edges. Sew the bag body side seams with a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance. Finger-press each side seam open.

4) "Box" the bag bottom. Fold a bottom corner into a triangle with the side seam at center. Lay the triangle flat, and with a ruler perpendicular to the side seam, mark a line at the point where there is 2-inches of material on either side of the side seam. Clip the folded corner in place, then stitch along the line perpendicular to the side seam. Turn the work with the needle down and sew this corner two or three times, backstitching to secure the seam ends. Repeat for the other bag body corner. Trim the triangle corners to 1⁄2-inch

5) Sew the lining. Place the lining pieces right sides together with raw edges aligned. Start at the top edge on one side. Sew around the bag side and bottom edges with a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance. Leave an 8-inch opening in one side seam. Box the lining corners as for the bag exterior.

6) Clip the 2-inch-wide faux leather bag top interior trim to the bag's top edge, right sides together. Overlap the ends near a side seam, and cut the overlap to 1⁄2-inch. Baste with a 1⁄4-inch seam allowance from the top edge. The bag handles are sandwiched between the bag exterior and the trim piece and pointing down.

7) Place the lining inside the bag body, right sides together. Align the top edges and side seams, and clip or pin in place. Sew the lining and bag body together at the top edge using a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance and a 3.5-mm stitch length.

8) Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining side seam. Turn up the handles, and turn the bag top trim to the bag's interior. Clip or pin the trim in place, then topstitch around the bag top edge twice, with a 1⁄8-inch seam allowance, then a 3⁄8-inch seam allowance. Pink the trim's free edge to about 3⁄8 inch wide.

from SewStylish Fall 2012, pp. 62-68

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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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