The Colby Bag – POTM

Great bag for beginners.  THe hardware makes it look smart and trendy but it's still an easy to sew purse

The pattern of the month for May is the Colby Bag. A versatile purse with hardware and strap options and a design which is great to showcase a large scale print.  Suitable for beginners, this easy bag won't take you long to sew.

Features:

  • Shiny grommets and hardware bring you bang up to date with this year's ‘metallics' trend
  • Two straps – make one, the other or both
  • Shorter fixed shoulder strap
  • Longer removable cross-body strap
  • Simple construction
  • No pattern pieces to print
  • Two simple slip pockets inside
  • Finished size 11 ½” x 13”

Pattern rating = Beginner

Opt In Image
Download the Colby Bag Pattern

Sewers of all levels with love the Colby Bag.

You can download the pattern from my design account on Payhip  The pattern will be saved in your Pattern Library safely until you are ready to sew, then you can download and print it at any time.

Great bag for beginners.  THe hardware makes it look smart and trendy but it's still an easy to sew purse

Materials needed for the Colby Bag:

  • Main Bag – ½ yard quilting cotton or similar
  • Cuff, Lining and Straps – 1 ¼ yard
  • Pellon Fusible Fleece 45” wide – ¾ yard
  • Coordinating Thread
  • Magnetic Purse Clasp
  • 4 x large Grommets – 1.5 inches or 1.75 inches
  • 2 x round Gate Rings – 1.5 inches (make sure to get the ones that open)
  • 2 x Swivel Clasp – 1.25 inches

Where to get the hardware?

You can buy everything you need for this bag right on Amazon.

Great bag for beginners.  THe hardware makes it look smart and trendy but it's still an easy to sew purse

Our testers put this pattern through its paces for various different looks:

Testers 1

Diane D – I love grommets so this bag appealed to me right away. I loved the way it turned out! I used upholstery fabric for the main part and quilting cotton for the cuff. Very easy to do!

Sarah – It looked like it was going to be a quick, easy and fun project. It required some hardware that I was not familiar with using. I liked the option to carry it across the body or on the shoulder and the pleat gave it a bit of a femine feel.

Ruth – I skipped the hardware and sewed my strap directly into the top of the bag.  I was using the same fabric top and bottom, so for a bit of contrast, I added a narrow piping between the top and bottom of the bag.  This was a fun, well-made bag that went together quickly. I would definitely make it again – maybe a little bit larger and I would also add a fabric tab with D-ring to the interior for my keys.

Collage small

Diane of Two Chicklets – I liked the bag because of the fabrics you used and the way the hardware looks on it. I thought it was going to turn out bigger.  I used a slightly larger curtain grommet.

PicMonkey Collage

Theresa at the DIY page – Cute bag, very easy. The grommets give it a modern look, it's a bag a beginner can make and still get professional looking results.  I used a heavier weight home decor fabric for my bag, and some cool purple caribiners for an edgy look!

Linda – I really like the look of the purse when I first saw it. I love the look of the grommets making the purse looked polished. I like the fact that you have the option of making it cross body or wear it on your shoulder depending on your own preferences. The fact that it is 2 colors, makes it even easier to make it our own. Great size.  I didn't have any hardware on how but this sews up easily without it for another option.

Opt In Image
Download the Colby Bag Pattern

Sewers of all levels with love the Colby Bag.

You can download the pattern from my design account on Payhip  The pattern will be saved in your Pattern Library safely until you are ready to sew, then you can download and print it at any time.


If You'd Like To Support Our Site

If you want to help us continue to bring you a wide selection of free sewing patterns and projects, please consider buying us a coffee.  We'd really, really appreciate it.

Bookmark the permalink.
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

29 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Lilly O'Brien
Lilly O'Brien

I just ordered the 50 percent off $3.95 just wonder if you can send it to my email…It is not in spam. can you check if the email is right thank you COLBY BAG

Tracey
Tracey

Here is my finished Colby Bag. I have never sewed a bag before and the hardware was not available here (Australia). I followed my instincts to complete the bag with one long strap placed seam to seam. I can wear it cross body or over my shoulder. I’m really happy with the result and can recommend the pattern. Thank you Mayra.

Tracey
Tracey
Reply to  Tracey

I forgot to add my photo!!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Tracey

My Pleasure Tracey, very happy you are happy!

Maureen L McGraw
Maureen L McGraw

Love this bag. Thank you

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member

You are welcome!

Tracey Lawless
Tracey Lawless

Thank you for the free Colby Bag Pattern. Are there any extra instructions for making the bag without the hardware? Hardward is unavailable and I really want to go ahead and make this!

Elizabeth Rose
Elizabeth Rose

Thank you so much!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Elizabeth Rose

You are welcome!

Kim
Kim

Hi…Well I Downloaded An it said Its Corrupt An Damaged…So it wont open..
????
Any Other Ideas..?
I tried Opening All the Different Apps for PDF FILES..Also…

BAG IS DARLING..
????????????
KIM

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Kim

Hi Kim, You need to use Adobe Reader to open the file.

Janice Daugherty
Janice Daugherty

Thank you for sharing. This was a wonderful and unexpected Mother’s Day surprise. I love your website!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member

Thank you, Janice!

Rev. Andrea Stoeckel
Rev. Andrea Stoeckel

For those looking for “hardware” try Michael’s JoAnns or Hobby Lobby or, heaven forbid, a “hardware store?”

Tina L Marmie
Tina L Marmie

I can’t find the colby bag hardware kit when do you plan to have them on etsy

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Tina L Marmie

The supplier has gone out of business sadly!

Ruth Houck`
Ruth Houck`

I would like to make the colby bag but I don’t know how to download. CXan you help me.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Ruth Houck`

Hi Ruth, we have a video that covers this very subject https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wasJ2xSBYS4

Marilyn Powers
Marilyn Powers

I just downloaded the Colby bag. It looks adorable. I clicked on the picture of the Colby Bag hardware kit to purchase it, and I was taken to ETSY where it said this item is no longer available. Is there somewhere else to purchase the kit? The ETSY site had some separate items, but not everything in the kit. Thanks.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Marilyn Powers

Yes, the supplier is no longer able to provide the hardware, you will have to look for it on Amazon.

denise HOSNER
denise HOSNER

Cute, but how do you get into the bag without removing the straps from the grommets? Mayra?

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  denise HOSNER

The opening is not very big, this is true but you can still get your wallet and phone in and out.

ROBYN DEROSIER
ROBYN DEROSIER
Reply to  denise HOSNER

personally I would make 2 handles one for each side

Joy Collazzi
Joy Collazzi

Oohhh! Diane, I love your fabric choices of the Navy and White floral, and the red with white flowers on top! It’s beautiful and if I saw this for sale, I’d buy it! Is it for sale? 😉

Mary
Mary

Thank you for this wonderful pattern. I won’t get to it for a few months, but I plan on trying it with one of my cotton/Lycra fabrics.

Anne
Anne

looks like a good bag for xmas gifts. will make it for sure.

Shirley Roeder
Shirley Roeder

Thank you ! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours

Kathy Gaines
Kathy Gaines

Thank You for sharing, I can’t wait to hit my Kaffe stash!

Lorice Robinson
Lorice Robinson

Thank you. Can’t wait to try