The Pockets A-Plenty Purse – POTM

I've got a very special pattern for you this month.  It's another bag, but this one is just a little bit different, with some new techniques for you to try out and a different look to most that have come before.

You'll need accurate cutting and sewing skills for this one and there is a little hand-sewing involved.  It's worth the extra effort though to make such a pretty end result, and a bag that can be used in lots of different ways.

This pouch wristlet is a must have.  It is perfect for everything you need to carry around. It’s fully lined and roomy enough for your long wallet, your smartphone etc.  The strap is optional, and this bag also makes a great cosmetics bag, because it stands up nicely by itself and has a flat base.

Features of the Pockets A-Plenty Purse:

• With slip and zipper pockets so you can keep everything organized and secured.
• Great design with a contrasting strip that disguises a slip pocket in the front.
• The zipper at the back is also situated in the middle of a contrasting strip making the pouch back just as pretty as the front
• Open-wide zipper closure with zipper tab
• Flat bottom so it stands on its own
• Optional detachable strap
• Finished size 9” wide x 5 ½ ” high x 2 ½” deep
• Full video tutorial as well as the usual step by step photo tutorial
• Cutting directions table and labels to keep you organised

Watch me make one

With 45 minutes of video tutorial on this bag, its quite a long project, but I want to make sure you are with me every step of the way to get the best possible result.  You can see more details of the bag at the start of the video before we go onto the sewing section.

Buy the Pockets A-Plenty Bag pattern

You can download the pattern from my design account on Payhip.  Add it to your cart and check out.  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.

Download the pattern

Materials needed:

• Main Bag – 1/2  yard
• Lining  – 1/2 yard
• Contrasting fabric – Piece 10 x 10 inches
• Light weight Interfacing  – ¾ yard
• 1 x 12” zipper
• 2 x 8” zipper
• Optional – 1 x 1.2cm / ½ inch swivel hook
• Optional – 8 inches of Steam A Seam

Skill level –Intermediate

You should ideally have experience in cutting and sewing bias binding edges, and in neat hand stitching.

The pattern tester versions and feedback

Betty Anne of The Kitchen Closet – I thought it was a very nice looking, good structure and well put together bag. The little accent pieces really stood out, and I like lots of pockets.  Another fantastic Bag Deby, I really enjoy sewing your patterns , this one was a good refresher for my hand sewing, all the little details and extra time put into this bag , made for a beautiful result.

Louise – I really liked the outside pocket zipper and inside pocket zipper. Not to thrilled with bias tape, one of my least favorite sewing things, but it turned out very nice. I'm glad the instructions suggested the hand basting, I like hand-basting to hold things in place before stitching. Thanks!

Sue at Fadanista – I thought this would be a really useful bag and I loved the design, with the sturdy base and sides. I like bags with lots of pockets and this one doesn't disappoint! The instructions are very clear and the pattern worked brilliantly. 

Margaret – What a lot of pieces. I love how detailed everything was. Never had anything with labels before, nice idea.  Learned some different techniques. Have always previously decided away from top zippers as never had much luck, but the finished product looks amazing and professional.

Lori – Cute shape, love the pockets on front and back… A little tip for the gussets.  I sewed corner to corner bottom edge 1/4″ and tacked at beginning and end…then I used zipper foot to sew on both sides and binding..was little bit easier for me, no hand stitching involved.

Theresa of the DIY Page – The ready-printed pattern piece labels really made a difference in keeping track of the pieces. I like to keep my essentials in an organizer that I can move from pocketbook to pocketbook but also wanted one that I could use as a small purse too. This fits the bill perfectly.

I did make my strap wider to show off my the one inch daisies. The hand sewing was much easier than trying to struggle with the sewing machine.

Sheri of Sassypants Satchels – I loved the contrasting panels on the bag, gives it a lot of punch! I liked the shape and thought it would be a great make-up bag.  Thanks for an awesome and challenging pattern! I debated between calling it intermediate or advanced, I think it's partway in between. Those gusset corners and the bias tape, although normal bag-making skills, are always a challenge to get looking neat in the end. But it all worked well.

Buy the Pockets A-Plenty Bag pattern

You can download the pattern from my design account on Payhip.  Add it to your cart and check out.  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.

Download the pattern