PATCHWORK SHOULDER BAG FREE SEWING PATTERN
This free sewing pattern for a patchwork shoulder bag comes to us all the way from France, where cute meets chic seamlessly. Patchwork projects like this one are not only beginner-friendly, they let you put your ever-growing fabric scrap pile to use! Get started on this over the shoulder bag to welcome new life in Spring and new additions to your wardrobe.
Materials: 1 basic sewing kit 4 rectangles beige-and-white polka-dot linen, each 10.5 x 27 cm, for the outside of the bag (1 and 3) 2 rectangles beige floral linen, each 18 x 27 cm, for the outside of the bag (2) 35 cm x 90 cm-wide light fusible wadding 2 rectangles firm red floral cotton, each 35 x 11.5 cm, for the bottom of the bag (5) 2 strips blue-and-white-striped canvas, each 35 x 6 cm, for the top of the bag (4) and 1 rectangle, 35 x 79 cm, for the lining 2 pieces 15 mm-wide strong beige-and-red-striped reinforced ribbon or webbing
Step 1
With right sides facing each other and allowing 1-cm seams, sew two rectangles of polkadot linen to either side of a floral linen rectangle along their 27-cm edges (1, 2 and 3 on the adjacent diagram; keep in mind the measurements are of finished size), then press and fuse a piece of wadding to the wrong side. Next, sew a line of large running stitches by hand, 1 cm inside the seams of the central panel, using two strands of beige stranded cotton.
Step 2
Fuse some wadding to a piece of red floral fabric (5) and, with right sides together, join it to the bottom edge of the patchwork bag front, stitching 1 cm from the edge. Next, sew a line of large running stitches by hand, 1 cm below the seam, using two strands of beige stranded cotton. Repeat the above process to construct the back of the bag.
Step 3
Pin the back and front pieces together, right sides facing each other. Stitch the sides and the bottom, 1 cm from the edge. To box the lower corners, fold the corner so that the side and bottom seams exactly align. Move a ruler down this folded triangle from the point until the base line measures 5 cm across (2.5 cm on each side of the seam line). Rule a line at this point and stitch across the bag on this line, through both layers. Trim excess fabric below the seam. Repeat for the opposite corner, and turn the bag right side out.
Step 4
Fuse some wadding to the wrong side of the two strips of striped canvas for the top of the bag. Place the two strips together, right sides facing each other, then stitch the short sides, 1 cm from each edge. With right sides together, side seams matching and raw edges even, stitch the striped section to the top edge of the bag, allowing a 1-cm seam, and press the seam open.
Step 5
Fold the large rectangle of blue-and-white fabric in half crosswise, right sides together, and stitch the sides, 1 cm from the edges, leaving a 20-cm opening in one side. Box the lower corners in the same way as the outer bag.
Step 6
Slip the lining bag inside the outer bag, right sides together and seams matching, and pin the upper edges together. Insert a ribbon handle between the two layers at both front and back, positioning the ends 8 cm in from each side. Stitch all around the bag, 1 cm from the edge, catching the ribbon ends in the seam. Turn right side out through the opening. Sew the opening closed by hand or machine and tuck the lining back inside the bag.
Step 7
This project is excerpted with permission from Everything Patchwork: 40 Classic Quilts, Bags and Accessories (Made in France) by Corinne Crasbercu and published by Murdoch Books.
