Sewing for Utange: Tulip bag

Friday 6 April 2012

Tulip bag

This is the bag I have been working on. It's a new shape for me - I think it has come out pretty well.

Tutorial to make this bag:
You will need:
Two pocket squares - each 8" square with a pocket in the middle.
Four denim strips 8" x 4"
Four denim strips 15"x4"
One denim strip 4"x16"
Two lining pieces 15" square for inner bag.
Two lining pieces 4"x6" for fastening flap.
Two lining pieces 15"x8" for inner pocket.
One lining piece 4"x16"
One lining piece 6" wide cut the entire width of the fabric (for strap).
One lining piece 4"x6" for key tab.
One lining piece 2"x36" for binding

Take the 4"x16" strips. Fold in half lengthwise. Mark the centre of the short side and mark 4" down from this on the long side. Use a cutter and ruler to cut a straight line between the two points.

Repeat on the other side.

Join the 8" x 4" denim strips to the sides of each of the pocket pieces.

Then join the 15"x4" strips to the top and bottom.

Cut a curve at each of the bottom corners.

Use this as a template to cut out our lining pieces from the 15" squares.

Take the 4"x6" lining pieces and fold in half lengthwise. Cut from the bottom corner to 1/2" from the top corner to make the flap.
Take the pocket pieces. Place them under the body lining and cut the curves to match.

Pin the pocket linings right sides together and stitch along the top edge.

Fold sides back so right sides are outwards. Press and then top stitch 1/4" from the seam. Pin in place on a body lining and stitch vertically down the centre.

Take the key tab and the strap. On both pieces, fold in half lengthwise and press.

Open out and fold the edges to the middle. Press again.

Fold in half again and topstitch down the edges.

Take the 4"x16" denim piece. Fold in half and mark the centre of the long side. Find the centre of the body pieces and mark. Pin these points together then continue pinning the 4"x16" gusset piece to the body.

Stitch the seams together. Repeat with the other side of the bag. Then stitch up the rest of the side seam.
Fold the keytab in half and put a split ring in the loop. Pin this to the edge of a bag piece about 2" from the top.

Then fasten the gusset and sides in the same way as for the main bag.

Add the fastener to one of your flap pieces and to the main bag. I used magnetic catches.

Put the flap pieces right sides together and stitch around the two long sides and the base.

Turn right side out, press, and top stitch round the edges.

Turn the bag right side out. Place the lining inside the bag, wrong sides together. Pin the straps in place at the sides of the bag, centring over the seam. Pin the fastening flap in place. Put the binding against the top edge and stitch all the way round, starting 2" in. As you get to the end, fold these two inches of binding back and stitch the final end over. Fold over the top of the bag and slip stitch in place.