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Hortensia handbag: Sewing Instructions

(Optional) Step 1: Face the main fabric​

  • If needed, Interface your main fabric pieces.

Step 2: Sew the front and back panels to the bottom​

  • With good sides together sew the front and back panels to the bottom panel.
  • Press the seam allowances towards the bottom panel.
  • On the outside Edgestitch the seam allowance to the bottom panel.

Step 3: Create and attach straps​

  • If needed, face your straps.
  • Fold the straps in half lengthwise with good sides matching.
  • Sew the raw edges together making sure to leave a gap for turning.
  • Turn inside out.
  • Slipstich the opening closed.
  • Alternatively Edgestitch all the edges.
  • Attach one strap to the front panel and one strap to the back panel by sewing a rectangle and a cross.
warning

The placement of the straps are not on the pattern and need to be determined. You may need to baste the zipper panel to the front and back panels to help figure out the placement.

note

If using bag strap webbing instead of fabric made straps do the following,

  • Cut the webbing to the length of the straps with seam allowance.
  • Press under the short edge seam allowance.
  • Attach the webbing the same way as the fabric straps.

Step 4: The zipper​

  • With good sides together sew a zipper panel to each side of the zipper. We will now refer to this as the zipper panel.

(Optional) Step 5: Construct tabs.​

  • Construct tabs the same as the straps just shorter.
  • Baste the tabs good sides together to the short edges of the zipper panel so the tabs face inward.
tip

We recommend the tabs to be about a quarter length of the straps.

Step 6: Attach the zipper panel​

  • With good sides together sew the zipper panel to the front and pack panels. We will now refer to this as the tube.

Step 7: Prep the side panels​

  • Press under the top seam allowance of the side panel reinforcement parts.
  • Place the side panel reinforcement parts on top of the side panels matching the raw edges.
  • Edgestitch the folded edge of the reinforcement parts to the side panels.
  • Baste the raw edges together.

Step 8: Attach the side panels to the tube​

  • With good sides together sew the side panels to the tube matching notches to the bottom and zipper panel seams.
  • If binding the edges rather than turning, sew with wrong sides together instead.
  • If not binding the edges leave a gap in one of the sides for turning.
  • Turn inside out and Slipstich the opening closed.
  • If sewn wrong sides together bind the raw edges of the side panels.
note

It is recommended to leave the gap for turning on the side rather than the top or bottom as it needs less reinforcement.

Step 9: Lining​

  • With good sides together sew the front and back lining panels to the bottom lining panel.
  • With good sides together attach the lining side panels.
  • With good sides together attach the lining zipper panels to the side panels.
  • Press under the top seam allowances.
  • Alternatively you can bind the top edges.
  • Place the lining inside the bag wrong sides facing each other.
  • Slipstitch or Whipstitch the lining to the sides of the zipper.

Step 10: Enjoy!​

That’s it! You are all done! Now go enjoy you new bag!