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Velvety triangle handbag tutorial

[1] This velvety-flocked fabric is perfect for fall and the casual style of this handbag is big enough to lug lots of stuff around. This purse is fully lined and has a magnetic snap closure.

Supplies

(Click fabrics for direct links for purchase at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.)

[2]
Fanfare Buff

[3]
Como Marigold

[4]
Magnetic snaps

[5]
Stiff interfacing
I used 3/4-yard of each fabric. I use Craft Fuse interfacing because it’s nice and stiff.

The pattern

Triangle bag pattern piece 1 [6] Triangle bag pattern piece 2 [7] Triangle bag pattern piece 3 [8] Triangle bag pattern piece 4 [9] Triangle bag pattern piece 5 [10] Triangle bag pattern piece 6 [11]
The pattern pieces above are in PDF format and are printable on regular printer paper.

Tape the pages together, matching letter markings. Then cut out pattern. Note that many are cut on the fold of fabric.

There are borders on the page to help the pattern print correctly. Pattern pieces need to meet at the drawn-on border, so either trim or fold on the line.

In addition to those pattern pieces, you’ll need to draw two rectangles that I have not provided:

1. Pocket: 6″x7″ – cut two lining fabric

2. Bag bottom: 6″x14″ – cut one fabric, one interfacing.

The process

[12] After cutting out your pattern pieces, apply fusible interfacing according to instructions. Please note the instructions for cutting in the “Pattern” section above.
[13] [14] [15]
Now we’ll do the pocket. Place pocket pieces right-sides together (my fabric didn’t seem to have a right side) and sew most of the way around, leaving an opening for turning (left).

Trim corners. Turn right-side out and carefully push out corners. Press and top stitch along the top. The opening is at the bottom (center).

Center pocket on one bag lining front piece and sew along sides and bottom. You’ll sew the turning hole closed when you do this (right).

[16] Sew your lining front pieces on either long side of the bottom piece, but leave a hole for turning the bag right-side out later. Press seams open, including where the opening is. This will make it more manageable when you need to sew the opening closed.

Now is the easiest time to install your magnetic snap. Here is a tutorial [17] on how to do that. Then come on back to finish this bag.

[18] You might want to click on the photo at left to expand it. I have pinned one of the lining side pieces on. What is important to note is that the bottom of the side piece should extend past the seamline. This part will be your seam allowance for attaching the side to the bottom in a few minutes. Sew the side on.
[19] [20]
At left, I have sewn the side to the front piece on the left, and pinned the side to the other front piece at right. The bottom piece and side piece remain open. At right, I am sewing the bottom of the side piece to the side of the bottom piece. Does that make any sense? Well, there’s only one way to sew it, and if you’ve made it to this point, you’ll see that. Sew from side seam allowance to the other side seam allowance. Click for bigger image.
[21] Here is a view from the side of the lining.
[22] [23]
Now it’s time for the strap. At left, I’ve placed the strap and strap lining right-sides together and sewn. I left either end open. I turned it right-side out. This took a while because the fabric is stiff and the strap gets narrower in the center. Then I pressed and top stitched along either side.

At right, I’ve stitched the straps with right side against the right side of the outer bag, with straps facing downward. What? You haven’t sewn your outer bag yet? Oops. I forgot to instruct you to do that. You’ll do that in the exact way you did your lining, except without the magnetic snap or the hole for turning. So stitch your bag bottom to the bag fronts and then attach your bag sides.

[24] [25]
Now we need to attach the lining to the main bag. Follow me here: You’ll have your main bag right-side out. You’ll have your lining inside-out. Place the outer bag inside your lining, so the right sides face each other. Line up the side seams and pin all the way around the top (left).

Sew along the top (I find it better to sew on the interfaced part). Then turn through that hole you left in the lining (right).

[26] Sew the hole in the lining closed and then top-stitch the top of the bag.

Other views

(Click for bigger views)

[27] [28] [29]