TUTORIAL - Alterations to the FREE Buttercup Bag Pattern

[queenofdiy]

A few of us Craftsters have made the free Buttercup Bag Pattern from here:  http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html.  I made a bag with quite a few alterations to it, including enlarging the pattern to 125% on the photocopier.  Here's the link to the one I made:  http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=296978.0.

The alterations I made were:

• Firstly - enlarged to 125%
• Added a mobile phone pocket instead of a flat pocket
• Added a zipper
• Lengthened the strap to 24"
• Interfaced the outer top

A couple of words of advice.  If you choose to interface the lining, the outer top and the handle and you sandwich the strap between the lining and outer - make sure your machine can handle thick layers otherwise you'll be breaking lots of needles!!!

OK.  Firstly, I'll show you how I added the zipper.  You need to start by altering your pattern.  Cut the lining an inch or so down from the top, then add 1/4" seam to either piece, like this:

Then cut your pieces for the bag.  You need to cut extra pieces.  4 pieces, width of the zipper x probably 2 or more inches (for the ends of the zipper) and another 4 pieces, 2 inches x a bit longer than the length of the outer upper piece of the pattern (for the sides of the zipper).  If this is a little confusing now, it may make more sense in the pictures further down.  You need to add the little tab bits to the ends of the zipper like this:

Then you need to add the side bits to the zipper, like this:

Then you need to cut the whole piece to 1 3/4" wide x length of outer upper piece, centering the zipper, like this:

Now you need to sandwich the zipper between the lining bottom and top, like so:

Repeat for the other side.  This is what it should look like:

Then sew the lining together.  With the ends of the zipper, make sure they go 'upwards' when catching in the lining, like this:

Make sure you leave an opening in the lining to turn right sides out:

OK. This ends the tutorial on the zipper.  If it seems a little confusing, I've used a couple of tutorials.  One of my own:  http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=85354.msg805095#msg805095 and another:  http://www.themikkelsens.net/sarah/journal/2008/06/recessed-zipper-how-to.html

Now onto how I did the mobile phone pocket.  I cut two squares of fabric (outer and lining) 5 x 5 inch square with 1" squares cut from the bottom of each fabric, like this:

Put right sides together and sew across the top:

Sew the corners of lining and outer:

Put right sides together.  Sew around edge leaving gap for turning:

Turn right sides out.  Press and top stitch along top edge:

Pin to lining:

Sew to lining:

Finally, the pleats.  I followed the directions of the pleats but somehow, I could not get them to fit.  This is how I ended up doing them. I must say, that I do like this way:

I placed a pin in the middle of the fabric.  I pinned the other 4 pleats according to the pattern.  This is what it looked like:

Start by sewing the pleated edges with the outer top piece on the top towards the centre but stopping before the centre, like this:

Start and the other end and stop before the centre.  Create a box pleat and continue to meet the other line of stitching:

You should end up with something that looks like this:

Hope this is helpful.  As always, if you have any questions, fire away!!! 

[KeTing]

you rock! thank you so much!
and you just started a creative process in my head (because I misinterpreted one of the pics) how I could add zippers to bag tops in a different way - can't wait to try!

[ninjanator]

cute thanks mucho

[Atrandom]

You make me want to learn to sew! The bag is great and I really like the fabric you chose. I just wished the tutorial made more sense to my sewnewb mind...

[rauni]

Oh so bookmarked!  I love your tutorials, they are so clear and easy to do.  I can't wait to try and make one of these.  Fortunately I'll be at work today where I have access to a photocopier .  I have a winter coat with a cell phone pocket, but that does not help in the summer...I see a summer purse in the making!  Thanks for your hard work making this tutorial!

Rauni

[Semo]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this tutorial.  I'm for sure going to make this bag!

[KayKay84]

Thanks for the great tutorial! It looks very easy to follow, I'll definitely try it out soon  ! Btw I love the fabric you used, sooo pretty!

[silver mom]

Love It

[DZ Designs]

Fantastic instructions on the modifications.  I think this will be my next project!!  Can you tell me what size zipper you used for this bag??

Thank U
dz

[klum78]

I love the modifications you made.  I will be adding that cell phone pocket to a lot of bags now.  Thanks for sharing!

[Eowynt]

Thank you so much.  They don't call you the Queen for nothing!!

[SugarySweet]

Oh that bag is so cute. I didn't remember seeing it before!

[mj.bestard]

Thank you very much to share this.
I've just finished one of this and I was thinking of adding a zipper to the second one I've planned to sew, but I had no idea how to do it.
thanks again!

[JessBee21]

I am probably going to sound sooo dumb right now...how do you enlarge the pattern 125% to print it out?  I am a little slow when it comes to computers...  Thanks for the help!

[queenofdiy]

Thanks for all your lovely comments everyone!! 

Fantastic instructions on the modifications.  I think this will be my next project!!  Can you tell me what size zipper you used for this bag??

Thank U
dz

I used a 40cm/16" zipper.  It was too long but I just trimmed the end without the metal end clip.  Just be careful sewing over the zipper teeth when sewing on the tabs.  Whenever I go over the zipper teeth I just hand wind the machine.

I am probably going to sound sooo dumb right now...how do you enlarge the pattern 125% to print it out?  I am a little slow when it comes to computers...  Thanks for the help!

You will need a photocopier that copies onto A3.  Then to enlarge, just push the buttons to get to 125%.  That should work.

[Solsisters]

Another great tutorials! I have featured you on my team blog at: http://carriedawayteam.blogspot.com/2009/03/next-thing-i-want-to-learn.html as well as my personal blog at: http://solsisters.blogspot.com/2009/03/free-buttercup-bag-pattern.html

Guess what I'm going to be learning next now that I have your nice clear instructions?

[Laura_J]

Great tutorial. After making this bag the regular size I can see exactly why you enlarged it. I am glad I was able to read your tips before trying to assembly my bag. The next one will definitely be a little larger. And, thanks for posting your cell phone pocket instructions, they worked perfectly.
I did make one change of my own. I put a D-ring on a fabric strip on each side and then attached my purse strap to that. I have a clip for my keys and need the d-ring to hook that too. I also put a zippered pocket inside on the other side of the lining.

[McJulie-O]

Very well thought out and expressed.
Thank you!

[pinkie_poh]

This is fantastic! And perfect timing, as well, I'm in dire need of a new purse...

Another silly question from another sewing newbie: Can you still make this (enlarger 125%) with a fat quarter (as stated in the original pattern)? Or will you need a bit more fabric?
Thanks

[betty bat]

What a great tutorial!  Love the way you did the zipper. 

[calknit]

Thank you! And love the fabric you chose, its really pretty

[craftyhsmom]

The buttercup purse was so cute but way too small for me.  Thanks for adding this tutorial!  I can't wait to try it.

[queenofdiy]

This is fantastic! And perfect timing, as well, I'm in dire need of a new purse...

Another silly question from another sewing newbie: Can you still make this (enlarger 125%) with a fat quarter (as stated in the original pattern)? Or will you need a bit more fabric?
Thanks

Not a silly question at all!!!  In fact, you will need more fabric.  You might get away with a fat quarter for the outer bag but you will definitely need 1/2 metre (50cm or 20inches) of contrast fabric.

[Sillybowtie]

Thanks for this tutorial! I was wondering on how I could fit a zipper but being lazy I just used a snap and now regretting not using a zipper.

[Jatoha]

This tutorial is so great!  I will use this to add zippers to other purse I make too!  Thanks for sharing!!

[Solsisters]

another smashing tutorial.

I tried this over the weekend and came up with this.




Overall, the zipper turned out pretty well, but for this type of box bag, I will need to make some alterations. It's a little bunchy in the corners and doesn't open as smoothly as I'd like. Maybe the technique at Uhandblog might be more suited. I have also seen ones where the zipper kinda trails off the ends and tucks into the bag. Still, a showstopper bag on a cosmetic level and I learned some new things.

Thanks for the awesome tutorials! Please keep writing them.

You can see more pics and read about it on my blog at: http://solsisters.blogspot.com/2009/03/conquering-set-in-zippers-and-dreaming.html

[flower**]

can i ask you something
how can i sawing the lining with outer fabric?

beautiful bag i love it

[queenofdiy]

can i ask you something
how can i sawing the lining with outer fabric?

beautiful bag i love it

I think I know what you are asking!  You put the outer bag inside the lining bag with right sides together.  You just need to make sure you have left the zipper opened half way and that you have left a gap in the lining for turning.

[dragonfire411]

Oh awesome, I just might have to give this a try

[msboo]

I love this tutorial - thanks queenofdiy!

This is now bookmarked and I can't wait to try it!

[ksquared15]

thanks so much for showing the mobile phone tutorial!  i've been wanting to add those but didn't want to figure it out!  thanks!!!

[Munora]

Awesome tutorial. Would you mind giving the measurements on the pattern pieces that you enlarged? I want to try to draw them out. Rather than print them and bring them somewhere.

[Mobi Dick]

Thank you, that exactly what i need!

Monica

[SeeMellySew]

Thanks so much for these great instructions! I made two of these bags for my mom and MIL for their birthdays. They turned out awesome, I'll post pictures when I take some! The instructions were very easy to follow, I would have pulled my hair out trying to figure out how to add that zipper by myself Thanks again!