After the release of the Ultimate Wallet, I've been getting lots of requests recently for more bag patterns, and more bag patterns suitable for improving sewers to tackle and try out or learn new skills. The Lucy Tote Bag pattern is brought to you with those requests in mind.
Its a stylish tote bag with a few nice touches I think you'll like.
Features:
- Zipper top for security
- Inside slip pockets
- Flat base
- Outside zipper pocket
- Nice handles with rectangle rings and tabs
- Great pattern to showcase a really nice fabric print
- Contrast top and lining for a little extra design flair
This one has a lot of techniques that will be familiar to you, but you might also try a few new skills along the way such as adding the zipper pocket to the outside, or adding in the top zipper.
This pattern has been rated as Intermediate by the testing team.
You can download this pattern from Payhip. Keep the pattern safely there in your pattern library until you are ready to download and sew at any time. 
See the Lucy Tote Bag Pattern Testing examples
I wore out the team this month with the testing of the Ultimate Wallet, the Show Some Flare skirt and this Lucy bag! Here are a few examples they created before pattern testing overload got the better of them…
Robin at the Pattern Tester – A striking example in high contrast fabrics. Nice job with those stripes Robin!
Sarah – I love the beachy colors in this one. That turquoise is the color of the sea here and I could see myself carrying this bag to the beach.
Linda – used thick round rings and denim at the top for a very sturdy and hardwearing bag.
Donna – bold use of bright colors and everyone's favorite – polka dots!
You can download this pattern from Payhip. Keep the pattern safely there in your pattern library until you are ready to download and sew at any time.
What a lovely pattern. Guess who is starting on presents for next Christmas, and probably a few birthdays in between
Thank you for your generosity. I love the bag.
Thank you so much for this lovely bag pattern.
what weight interfacing is used.
I can’t order with credit card , wants paypal only
We only use PayPal safer for you and I.
I cannot order the pattern! Is it still available!
susanprincess at att dot net
apparently not available in the new bluprint…. 🙁
I tried to buy the pattern from Craftsy, no Blueprint, but spent an hour and a half and never got the add to cart or add to wishlist button to function. They seem to make it easy to sign up for membership, but not to just buy an item! I’m disappointed and bagless. susanprincess at att dot net
I was very pleased with the pattern. When I downloaded it, I treated myself to a fabric kit (two years ago). So I got it out, finally, to make it and rather than the two fabrics called for in the pattern, I received three and had to figure out how to make that work. The green fabric (intended for the zipper assembly and the top strip) was not large enough. I worked it every way I could think of and when it just wasn’t enough, in the end elected to use the green for the zipper assembly (since I already purchased the zipper) and added a stripe of the lining fabric to the top strip so it didn’t look so patchy. So, pleased with the pattern (I have already purchased fabric to make another one) but am not pleased at all with the fabric kit.
I made this bag and was so pleased with the finished item. The instructions as always are brilliant, thank you for that as it makes it easier for everyone to understand. I made mine out of upholstery fabric so could get away with not needing a thicker interfacing. Thank you again for a great pattern and I would gladly test for you at any time.
That’s fantastic! Nice work. Thanks so much for sharing.
I have never made a bag before, but ths one I will try. Love the pattern
Marge at mlhatfield@charter.net
What does PFF stand for?
Press Flat First
Thank you so much for the beautiful .pattern. Praying you had a wonderful Mother’s day.
Thank you for this great pattern, will be wonderful to make for girts for the girls in my family
thanks for the nice pattern with a zipper. will love it…
Happy Mother’s Day to you…
Thank you for the pattern for Mom’s day. I am sure that I will enjoy making it as much as I have the rest of the patterns that I have made from your site.
Love to sew for my Granddaughters!
Love the pattern. Happy Mother’s Day everyone
Thank you! I’m always looking for patterns that help me learn new techniques
Thank you so much! I’m going to love making this good-looking and versatile bag. And Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Beautiful! Thank you so much and Happy Mother’s Day too!
Thank you so much. Happy Moms day… 🙂
Thank you.
The size and shape I like.
Like the top closed also.
Oh I can’t wait to make this bag. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! So So Sweet! Just love it.
Thank you for the Mother’s Day present. I have been eyeing this bag ever since you put it on your website. I was a little timid to try it, but after you ‘gifted’ it to us, how can I not try my hand at it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
I’ve not made but one bag so this might not be a project for me now but I’m getting the pattern! I’m a shoulder bag person but these handles look long enough to slip over my shoulder. I could always lengthen them. But, Could I make a single strap from the end seams?
Thanks
Will fusible foam (like Soft & Stable) work instead of the fusible fleece? Or would it be a problem with the top of the bag piece?
Not as long as your machine can handle it.
Can this be made without using a separating zipper? I want a zipper, but don’t like a separating one.
it probably calls for a separating zipper for ease of construction. when you are finished the project simply whip stitch the separating end closed by hand to prevent it from reopening. I made the choice to use the zipper that was bought by a client for their wedding dress top. The pattern, in this case, called for separating zipper for ease of construction. we made the extra long invisible zipper work, but it did not have the same function in the in end. I have not yet made the bag, I was searching for the pattern when I read your concern. Hope this helps.
What is the size of the finished bag?
8″ in diameter.
Love the size and look of the Lucy bag. I’m experienced at making totes, but since I’ve learned so much from Deby through her YouTube videos, I wanted to purchase a pattern as a way of saying Thanks!
I purchased The ‘Lucy Bag’ pattern through Craftsy and just read through the directions before I start making the bag. On page 19, it says on point 12. “Press PFF to wrong side of both front pieces. Top Stitch on the main bag at the accent seam.” I am confused because according to the pattern, I would have just added a zippered pocket. Do I press PFF over top of the pocket? Also I do not know where I would be top stitching ~ where is the accent seam?
Hi Mary I am sending you an email to answer your questions, do send me a few photos with your questions so I can be more helpful. Kind REgards,
I was actually confused over the same thing!
I loved this pattern, how can I enlarge it?
I’m working on the Lucy Tote Bag now! I enjoy your patterns very much. I love the tutorials also! Thank you!
HI Deby,
I am working on the Lucy Tote and I’m very excited! I have 2 questions for you.
1. Is it ok to substitute a closed-end zipper for the top of the tote? Or is it best to get a separating zipper?
2. I have the PFF cut for the exterior. Does this get in the way of that cute zipper pocket on the front? I’m fusing after creating that zip pocket, right? Does the pocket still function?
Thanks!
Hi Jennifer – yes you can use a closed end zipper, not a problem. And yes again, you do fuse the fleece on after you have created the zipper pocket. Make sure everything is lying nice the flat then add the fleece right over the top. It sticks to the back of the pocket lining and the face of the bag itself, holding everything in place together, while still allowing the pocket to work from the outside just fine. Enjoy the sewing.
Hi Deby. I love the style of this bag. Will the pattern allow me to make the bag bigger. Thanks. Connie
Yes Connie, if you want to. It’s basically a series of connecting rectangles so its pretty easy to adjust the size to whatever you would like.
what weight interfacing is used.
Hi, I have been a follower of your for a long time and my Craftys and PC files are filled with your patters and tutes! I am thinking of getting this pattern but have a question. The zipper top does it zip all the way to the ends or are there openings on the ends. Like space between the zipper and the sides of bag.
Hi DonnaRae. The zipper is set into the top of the bag, and goes right to the ends, but there is a small gap. It’s not entirely closed in, so if you had small coins inside, turned it upside down and gave it a good shake, there is a chance they might come out. Hope that helps.
I love your bags. Trying out a few different patterns of bags right now but this one is very cute! Will give it a try! Thanks.
CUUUUTTE!
Looks extremely practical.
Gorgeous bags Deby. I love the contrasting fabric look and all the variations shown. 🙂
I would like to purchase this pattern but I don’t want to use PayPal. How can I use Visa?
Yes of course. It will still be taken through the Paypal system and they will of course ask for all of your personal and card details, but you can use a Visa card without having to use an existing Paypal account. So if prompted, simply don’t login to your Paypal account and pick option 2 – Create a PayPal account And pay with your debit or credit card. Paypal are the payment collector and will process the Visa card details through their system without having to use your existing paypal account. You will probably need to use an alternative email address if you already have an account with them.
Very nice! Love to make bags 😉 Nice fabrics too! 🙂