Check page 3 for my newest designs and bags!
Since perfectly flawed has decided to leave our community and move onto other things, I guess that leaves me to make a tutorial. Alright. I haven't done a long photo tutorial yet, and I know that everyone is on a different sewing level. So, if I point out obvious things, I'm sorry, and if I leave out complicated parts, let me know. I've been meaning to put a pattern drafting tutorial on the board, maybe later this summer.
Here we go!
This is my finished bag:
Step 1
Lay out your pattern and trace your pattern onto the wrongside of your fabric, make sure that the grain is going in the same direction. Don't forget to put in your seam allowance, because the fabric is bulky and moves, it really helps to have it drawn on. LABEL EVERYTHING! I'm not sure if you can see it in these photos, but each piece has it's name, the seam allowance and grain direction on it.
And the lining:
Step 2
All of your details, ie. applique, pockets, strap, have to be done before you assemble the bag. It's important to plan out your entire bag before you start, otherwise it's hard to go back and change it.
I started with my pockets.
Pictures of the finished pockets:
Then did the felt face.
For the strap, cut 2 5" pieces of webbing. Put a D-ring on each and fold in half, and stitch closed. These will go on the sides of the bag. Take a long piece of webbing and hold onto it.
Step 3
I then assembled my outside bag (the faux fur).
The one thing I forgot to do on this bag, but have since corrected on my patterns is to cut out a square in the corners, so they will join better.
And then, the lining. Attach all the pockets to the lining and the two webbing and D-ring pieces. Then sew the lining together.
Step 4
Attach the lining to the faux fur. This can be a little tricky in setting up. You want the fur and the lining rightsides together. This is where I usually make a mistake. I reccomend pining one side and turn it right side out, just to make sure you're putting it together correctly. The D-rings should be hidden between the lining and fur. You should be able to see only the end of the webbing. I would have a picture of this, but I didn't do it correctly. I will post a picture when I make my next one.
If you're making a messanger bag, sew all edges except for the end of the flap. Turn rightside out and topstich the end of the flap. The seam will disappear when you ruffle the fur. Attach the long strap to the D-rings with a giant X.
If you're making a tote, then sew the front, back and one side. Turn rightside out and top stitch the last side.
TADA!
So that was my technique. I'll try and update this with better pictures and instructions as I make more of them (I'm working on setting up an online store and doing craft fairs). I feel that most people who want this tutorial just want it to make them for themselves, or their friends. They are pretty similar to the jordy bag, just different fabric, so it isn't hard to figure them out without my meager tutorial. I'm sorry that perfectlyflawed feels how she does about sharing, but I think that if you want to sell them you'd figure it out anyway. Which is exactly what I did, I put my perfectionist tendencies to work to make quality goods.
I'm almost done with a tote version. It should be posted by this weekend.
