« Spring Capsule: Floral Blouse | Main | Spring Capsule: Cardigan »

Free Pattern: Sunburst Bag

Friday, April 14, 2006

Sunburst Bag
Title: Sunburst Bag
Materials estimate: 1/2 yard lining, 3/4 yard interfacing suitable for your choice of materials, 1/2 yard fabric for bag, matching thread, usual sewing accoutrements
Download Pattern: SunburstBag.pdf

As promised, I've got my new bag pattern in a presentable form and am happy to share it with you. Since "Ugly Fabric Bag" didn't seem like a desirable moniker, I've renamed it "The Sunburst Bag" after the sparkling rays on the front. The pattern file is a pdf, which you can open in Adobe Acrobat Reader and print on 8.5'x11" paper.

Once printed, the pattern may be glued or taped together. I like to align the corner markings, as well as the lines of the pattern pieces. Like any pattern, you'll probably want to test it out in muslin to see if it suits you, before you cut into "the good stuff".

The finished bag is 3 inches deep, but I don't have the other measurements at my fingertips. I'll try to get those this weekend. All seam allowances are 3/8" and are marked on the pattern. Grainlines are marked by a straight line on each piece.

I've written up some (text-only) instructions, if you need them, read on. When I make this again, I'll get some photos.

Instructions for assembling bag
  1. Cutting and Interfacing
    1. Cut the pieces from your fabric, interfacing and lining as described on the pattern.
    2. Apply the interfacing to each piece. There is no need to interface the facings. I used Decor Bond on my sample, which worked out nicely.
  2. Facings:
    1. Turn under the hem indicated on each facing piece.
    2. Apply the prepared facings to the front and back lining.
  3. Pockets
    1. Fold pockets right sides together and stitch sides. Leave long side (bottom of pocket) open.
    2. Turn to right side and press.
    3. Position the pockets as desired on the lining. Turn under the raw edge and stitch in place around sides and bottom of pockets.
    4. Multiple channels may be stitched in the pockets to accomodate your items.
    5. On my bag, I moved the top edges of the pockets toward the middle slightly before stitching them down. This makes the pockets expand a tiny bit.
  4. Lining
    1. Sew darts at bottom of each lining piece.
    2. Attach magnetic snap or other closure to lining, if desired.
    3. Sew lining front to back around outside, leaving 4 inches free at center bottom of lining for turning.
    4. Press lightly, but do not turn right side out.
  5. Main Bag
    1. Sew the center front pieces of main front and back.
    2. Sew outer fronts to center front section, matching circles which form the darts.
    3. Sew darts as marked in center front sections.
    4. Sew bag front to back, matching dart ends on bottom and leaving top seam free.
    5. Turn the bag body right side out and press lightly.
  6. Strap/Handle
    1. Sew straps as desired. You can either stitch the long seam with right sides together, then turn, or do some creative folding and stitching to get the raw edges enclosed.
    2. Pin strap in place on each side of bag. The center of the strap will align with the bag seam. Align the raw edge at each end of the strap with the raw edge at the top of the bag. The length of the strap will fall downward.
  7. Putting it all together
    1. Place the bag unit down inside the lining. Pin to hold things in place. Be sure you align the side seams. Right sides will be together and the strap will be between the bag and lining.
    2. Stitch around the top of the bag. It will be bulky and you will need a large needle.
    3. Turn to right side through opening left in the bottom of the lining.
    4. Stitch opening closed, as desired.
    5. Topstitch, if desired, around top of bag.

Comments (0)