Ok, had a good look on the Coach website, and here FWIW is a small but perfectly formed tutorial...I suggest yo make up your pattern on paper first, and assemble all your supplies too, apart from the ocelot print...I think I may know where to get it online, but you'll need to give me a day or so...by which time you'll have your pattern ready to go!.
So this lovely little bag measures 6 1/2" long by 4" high ( a lot of cash for not-a-lot-of-bag IMHO!!!) so you want to draw a regtangle with those measurements. At the bottom of the rectangle, add a horizontal line out from each corner, about 1/2" long (trust me on this!). Join this longer bottom line to the top line with new angled side lines. Now, at the bottom ( again!) you need to curve the corner off, so it looks like the picture...you can use a cup or mug to draw around. Just do this in one side till you are happy with the curve-not too curvy, not too flat-when you have it as you like it, fold the paper pattern in half and trace your lovely curve onto the other side. Now open it up again and ADD SEAM ALLOWANCES...I'd suggest the standard 5/8" or 1.5cm if you're metric, on all sides.
And now, as is my lovely husband's habit, he is about to serve dinner so i'll be back to continue this later!
so here's a little pic of what your pattern should look like.........and when I drew it up, I did it actual size, and I'm AMAZED at the cost of this little tiny bag!
You also need to prepare the bottom corner pieces...again,trace off your basic pattern and draw your desired curves on. You only need the seam allowances on the bottom & side edges here as the curved bit isn't going to be turned under (hooray!)
Ok, now you have your basic shape, and you'll use this to cut out your fabric, your backing (which should be a stiff-ish canvas type, as you can't fuse interfacing to faux skins) and your lining. You need to cut 2 of each fabric. Cut out your curved bottom pieces too, you'll need 4 of them, I suggest you use pinking shears if you can on the curved edge as it will give a nice looking finish.
First, assemble your lining...in my sketch, I've suggested you put a pocket in (for your credit cards, ha ha!) so cut a rectangle in lining measuring 5 1/4" by 4 1/4", and press down 5/8" allround. Hem the top (long) edge and press. Pin the pocket about 1/3 of the way down one of your lining pieces, and sew it on about 1/8" away from the edge...sounds tricky but if you pin it in place you'll be fine!
Now mount the print fabric onto your backing fabric...this basically means that you lay one flat on top of the other, seam all round the edges about 1/4" in so the 2 fabrics become 1. Don't skip this, if you do it without backing it will look SAD. You'll end up with the front & back pieces ready fro the next step. Next you will need to put on the corner bits....lay them on your prepared pieces so they go right up to the edge of your seam allowance. If you are using a faux suede for this bit, you cANNOT pin it as the hole will be there forever..same goes for sewing it, once that needle is in, you have a needle hole there for ever. So maybe a few dots of glue to hold it down, then CAREFULLY sew the curved edge down about 1/4" from the curved edge.
You will also need a little loop of fabric to go in on one side seam-this is what the strap is attached to at one end. See the sketch for where it should go...about 1" down from the top edge (measure 1 5/8" down, as you have a seam allowance!) Use your faux suede for this as you just need to cut a strip about 1/2" by 3", fold it in half and stitch it onto the side seam 1/4" in.
Put in your zip next (feel the fear & do it anyway!).. I suggest you buy one at least 1" longer than you need, so you can put a tag at the bottom...just 2 tiny triangles of your faux suede, sandwich the bottom of the zip between them, glue in place & stitch around the triangle if you want...this means you don't need to seal the bottom opening of the zip! Put the zip in as my sketch, so the 2 sides of the bag lay open. When the zip is in, turn the bag so the right sides are together, and seam the sides. Clip the curves (take tiny pie-sliced shaped bites out of the seam allowance, but don't snip into your deam!) which helps it turn out a nice shape. You should be able to press your faux fur at the seams but check the manufacturers instructions.
All you have to do is seam your lining together (as the bag itsealf), press the seams open, and as you say you are a beginner, I'd suggeat you press down the top seam allowance on the lining and just carefully hand sew it onto the inside of the bag, amybe along the line of sewing that hold the zip in?
To finish it off, you need to gat a G-clip ( i think that's what they ar called) and make a long strap to attach it to. You loop the other end through your little side loop and sew the strap ends together. Then prepare your bow, add a glitzy rhinestone button or earring to the center of it, and stick it on the bag.
I've had a bit of a brainwave re the fabric tho.....try doing one in felt, you can just but some ivory squares of felt & paint/stencil/sharpie them with the ocelot pattern...you'll get a great result & you can treat it as a try out before you get your faux skin! Use black or brown felt for the corner bits, zip tag, and bow, and buy some matching cord for the loop & strap....no fraying, easy peasy!
sorry to have rambled a bit, pm me if anything isn't clear, and get cracking so we can see a pic!
