Step Five: Making The Main Body Of Your Fabric Handbag
Sew the fleece onto the main fabric. I am sewing diagonal lines, not so creative, I know. My print is fantastic and I don’t want to add any more to it.
Sew the sides of the bag at 5/8 (bottom picture). Sew two rows of very large stitches to gather the bottom just like you did with the lining. Stop at the side seams on both sides.
Match the side centers with the side seams of the bag, then gather as needed. Sew at 5/8″ twice to make it strong. Trim the seam allowance by half and zigzag.
Step Six: Attaching The Lining To The Main Body
Stand the main body of the handbag wrong side out and insert the lining right side in. It means you have the right sides together. Stitch the top edge at 1/4. All the seams should be open to reduce bulk.
Snip the seam allowance every 1/2″.
Using the 6″ gap you previously left in your lining turn the bag the right way out.
The first thing you will notice is the zipper. Align the metal ends together and sew where the seams end across the zipper and cut the excess. Do the same on the other side.
The other side of the zipper will look like this.
Unable to find the pattern
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I love this bag! I may add some RFID fabric as well, but you’ve got the nicest pattern I’ve seen! Thank you for the post.
Hi Julie, The print is from Indonesia; it is hand-printed. I had the pleasure of meeting the artist.https://so-sew-easy.com/batik-printing-technique/
Thank you. for sharing all you do. It’s always a joy to receive your patterns. I very much enjoy working with them, They are easy to read
I’m sorry your family had an unhappy experience in Helsinki. I was there many times to set up new ships and always loved my time there. It’s been a while so maybe things have changed over the years.
After traveling all over Europe, I know how important it is to make longer straps so the bag can be worn cross-body. Also on your main zipper it is good to add a clip that can keep the zipper from being opened. Really cute design and both of these could be added easily.
I cannot get the file for this bag to download. Is there any way it could be emailed to me or some other way for me to get this pattern please
Can only download the first section of instructions in PDF. When I go to the next “page” it generates the previous “page” again. Cant make without the printed instructions. Could you please look into this and see what the issue is. Others have also commented about this. Thanks
Hi, Jen use Adobe Reader to print, please.
Wow, I’m going to Italy very soon, where is the fantastic fabric place?
Florence, there are several in Milano; where in Italy will you be going?
When I make my bags I always put at least 2 zipper pockets on the inside with another smaller pocket which holds my credit card, while it holds my drivers licence , plus. The second zipper pocket made the same way but it holds my bills and change. This then leaves the bag for unimportant stuff like make up, keys and groceries etc.
Honestly, the size of this bag is an invite to thieves.
I made it and love it! I made a second one and added some metal chain (fairly thin but strong) in the handles so the purse couldn’t be cut off. I saw that in a video.
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for the feedback! Please enjoy.
You say there is a video tutorial but I can’t find the link for that.
It is in three parts here is the first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49lcYLjqX8w
RFID Cloth. I really like the purse and the fabric. Something to also think about now-a-days, add RFID material to keep the credit card thieves from taking your info while it is still in your bag. Thank you for sharing all you do. I love your videos and patterns and ideas. Kathy R. Church Hill, Tennessee, USA.
Thank you, Kathy, thank you for letting me know. I will keep an eye out for your comments. I went to Tennesse when I was a teen studying in the USA, we took a road trip. What I loved the most was the warm, golden fields and how kind people were. One lady knitted a coat (wonderful shape) for me without even knowing me, I wore it for years. Maybe I will write about it in a post to remind me of those kind hands.
Can we order this pattern for bag? I had my billfold stole from purse Nov. 2021. Not a good feeling!
When you see the sides of the pockets did you then sew the top of the pocket?
Hi Tim, the top gets caught with the lining and zipper, here is the video tutorial
https //www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfqGSFGanJ0 and the third part here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_X7LZ2_aVU
Do you have the instructions written out or just in video format? I don’t always have access to the internet and would like to have written instructions if possible.
Sadly not at the moment. I can only add one file to the app at a time and of a certain size. The instructions will remain free on this site for you to go back to whenever you can. Kind Regards,
I am not able to get to the page to download the PDF for the anti-pickpocket bag. Can you email it to me? I would really appreciate this.
Thanks.
That was very interesring. I had no idea there is RFID fabric out there. Thank yoju
Yes you can buy it it is expensive though around 60 dollars a meter but it is very wide.
I also got bag-slashed in a foreign country. I would line this bag with Kevlar fabric, and thread a 1/16”-1/8” stainless steel metal cable from the local hardware store through the handle with the end-loop hardware included internally, and connected to a thread of cable through the spine of the bag itself. This is often a feature of concealed-carry handbags. Also, making it a cross-body bag would make it harder for a thief to surprise-grab or to bump-distraction-grab. Those are the two main ways thieves operate. On important internal pockets, I’d make a zig-zag flap entry where only I know the way into the pocket, and I’d leave a booby-prize wallet with a note in it in the main pocket should they find their way into the main pocket somehow: “Sorry, you caught me on the last day of funds. If I catch you in my bag again, I will re-arrange your elbow joints. If I catch you in someone else’s bag, I will also re-arrange your elbow joints. Get a real career, because this one is hard on ALL of your joints, if you get my meaning.” Keep your bags in front if you and your backs to the walls, people. I was stolen from three times overseas in the same country, and all in aggressive, clever ways, and I considered myself pretty preventative. Most thieves use calculated techniques, it pays to study up on prevention and safe, airtight personal boundary-keeping.
Where do you get the metal rings??
You can find them on Amazon.com
When on tours in foreign lands, i carry a small cross-body bag UNDER my button-front shirt. My phone, currency, passport, etc are completely out of sight to any thief, but easy to access if i need something
How can I get written instructions if posible for this bag. Can you please let me know!
I prefer a small shoulder bag worn over my shirt but UNDER a vest, sweater or jacket. Failing that, a vest or lightweight jacket with inside pocket. I know this is very limiting, but it works for me if I just carry a small wallet and cell phone.
While a friend of mine was traveling in a foreign country, 2 jerks on motor bike buzzed past her and grabbed her purse right off her shoulder. It was hideously traumatic. Amazingly, she was not physically injured, but grossly inconvenienced.
yes, this is a very common practice in Latin America sad to say. Sorry about your friend.
It happened to a friend of mine in Italy – years ago.
I was wanting to know, how difficult would it be to lengthen the handles to make this a cross-body bag? I DO NOT trust over-the-shoulder bags.
Not difficult at all, but I would not make them twisted they would be too stiff to be comfortable. The handles in this bag would work much better https://so-sew-easy.com/reversible-crossbody-handbag/
I just finished sewing this bag and it came out great BUT I can’t find the grommets like you used and the plastic ones from Joann’s don’t seem to work with the thickness. When I click the link for the grommets I get a message that says “unable to connect as there are too many redirects. I don’t know what that means but I can’t get to site to purchase….Please Help!
Hi Sarah, you must have a window blocker because I tested the link and it is working fine.
The link finally worked and took me to Amazon but the grommets there are not the same as the ones you had, require a tool to install and I assume are not removable and reusable. Are these the grommets you are suggesting we use?
HI Sarah i do have a Kam tool, and all the fittings for many sizes of grommets. If you are going to make bags I suggest to use this type of grommets, the removable ones are much more expensive and hard to find.
Have you tried Hobby Lobby?
That bag is lovely and so clever. Makes me realize I really do need something to keep my information safe. Unfortunately there is no way I would ever be able to make one. Definitely not anywhere near that level. Thank you for the wonderful idea though.
This bag is very pretty. I think you have incorporated features to make it anti-pickpocket. My cousin had a bag similar in style and the thieves used a blade to slit open the bottom and empty her bag while she rode the bus. Needless to say, this is not a good experience. Maybe your bag will be better at keeping them away.
very nice for the polite/lightweight thieves. In the countries where the thieves go around, sometimes on motorbikes with knives/cutters (in case of chain straps) to relieve you of your goods, or else drag you down the street until you let go…….. one of my sewing friends made a travelers vest with the important stuff in inside pockets – though I really wouldn’t want my phone up against my chest until I’ve done more research about the dangers….
Where do I download? I went through all pages. Teally like the looks of this!
On page 2 Please.
The bag is beautiful and doesn’t look like it would be pick-pocket proof.
Really? why do you think so? It has worked for me, but perhaps you have a better idea. Do share…
I am planning on making this bag for a future trip. JMSI.. why do you feel it would not be pick-pocket proof. Is there anything you can suggest to make it better?
I have admired this bag pattern for awhile now…thank you for a great design!
Mayra, I love this bag! Your tutorial and written instructions are clear and easy to follow. I’m now making a list of the items I need to purchase to make my own bag. Thank you for all your great ideas, patterns, and tutorials.
It is my pleasure, if you have any questions the best way is to send me a message through Instagram ATSOSEWEASY you can always send me an email. I will be able to see your bag if you use #soseweasy, I would really love to see what fabric your choose. Kind Regards,
I love the looks of your bag and I just love the strap, I made a reversible market bag and told myself it needs pockers on inside and out, so this is awesome, nevermind what the person said about not looking like it was pick-pocket proof, I think she either got her words mixed, or meant that you cannot tell or doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Thank you for sharing
I gotta make this!
You for it girl, let me know how you go.
Adding to the “security” of the bag is the shortened handles and wearing it as it is shown on the mannequin. Your arm is automatically over top the opening, clamping it shut and blocking some access as well
Use quilting washaway sticky tape available on both US and UK Amazon and probably world wide, to position the zip perfectly. (‘Double Sided Adhesive Wash Away Quilters Tape’ in search box).
Your instructions and video are excellent. Thank you.
Great explanations and photos for a newbie to bag making and some reminders for us experienced sewers, thank you
thanks for responding to Michelle. I now have a downloaded copy.
For whatever reason, I cannot copy/paste. Is there a download button.
That’s a lovely bag –great fabric!– and worth making but a word of caution: To be truly theft-proof a bag needs a more narrow opening, locking zippers (the pull clips onto a ring so the zipper can’t be eased open by a thief in passing), a slash-proof fabric and an RDIF lining to prevent your credit cards from being “read” electronically. Thieves sometimes use box cutters to slash the bottom of a purse and make off with the contents, in which case quilting fabric will not be sufficient protection, even if padded and you fortify the handles with chains. When my daughter, granddaughter and I went to Europe last year, we first purchased anti-theft bags online (there are a variety available) and left our other purses (including the ones I had made myself) at home. When I make this bag, it will be for local use.
Hi Mayra,
This is the first pattern I have tried to print. When I open the file either in downloads or documents I do not get my usual print dialogue choices. The only choice I get is “Allow the app to change my printing preferences”. Whether I allow this or do not allow, my test box is only 1.5 inches. I am running windows 10, if that matters. How do I get my regular print dialogue ? I made one of your , well actually I made 2, purses & love it. However I did not have to download a pattern, just use measurements. Thank you for your assistance.
Hi Marilyn, are you using Adobe Reader to download, Actual Size and Portrait?
Thank you so much for the pattern Mayra, one can’t let crime win!! Greetings from a struggling (against crime) South Africa
For the handles, you could also insert the small cable in the tube when making them if you didn’t want it to show.
Hi! Gorgeous pattern! One thing that I did with a bag that I made a few years ago to make it even more difficult for the pickpockets who have a sharp knife and slash the handles and take the whole bag: when braiding the handles, braid a chain in with the fabric so that there is muchas less of a chance of the pickpocket bring able to complete the job! Thanks for all your efforts!
If you don’t like the way a chain looks, a short piece of the braided stainless airline cable that some guys use as a wallet chain could also work. Even the very thin 1/16″ ones would deter a knife, and be close to invisible.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Cut-1ft-70ft-Stainless-Steel-1-16-core-7×7-Wire-Rope-w-Loop-Options/152892062010
That is an excellent idea!
This is wonderful. Can’t wait to make this. Thanks so much!
I don’t see any pictures of the inside of this bag, so I don’t know if I want to make it. Help.
You can watch the videos, they are free as is the pattern and all the instructions.
Help Please! I cannot find the “second page” on which this pattern is on! Thanks!
Here it is Beth, you have to scroll to the bottom of the page and you will find a row of numbers, those are the pages.
https://so-sew-easy.com/anti-pickpocket-bag-twisted-fabric-handles/2/