Handbags and Wallets Part 15 Upright Bag Republished

I noticed that there were problems with the photos in the previously published blogs with the instructions to make this bag. I had to make another of these bags on order and decided to take another set of photographs. I hope these are clearer that the previous ones. You can download the pattern from APrettyTalent.com. In this first part of the making of the bag we start the construction up to and including the pockets. In the next blog we shall bring the final pieces together and finish the bag.

Concept, Pattern and Layout
The conceptualization, pattern design and fabric layout was discussed in the previously published blog. Click here to go to that blog.

Construction - Sling
It is time to start construction of the bag. I start on the sling. Fold the sling in half and iron it flat.

Open the sling and fold the sides in to meet at the middle. Iron it flat.

Fold the sling in half on the first fold line again and once more iron it flat.

Set your stitch length to be a little longer so that you can get a more professional looking top stitch.

Sew all around the sling staying close to the edge, but maintaining the same distance from the edge throughout. A foot width should suffice.

The Zippers
The bag has three zippers in total. We start with the top zipper that will close the bag. Sandwich the zipper between the fabric and the lining of the zipper flaps and pin it in place.

Sew as close as possible to the zipper. Repeat the steps with the remaining two zipper flaps on the other side as well.

Iron the zipper open.

For the outside zipper pocket, sandwich the zipper between the fabric and the lining of the bottom panel. Sew as close to the zipper as possible.

Sandwich the other side of the zipper between the fabric and lining of the top panels. Sew as close as possible to the zipper.

Iron the zipper flat.

We now move to the inside zipper pocket. Follow the same steps as for the outside pocket, with the exception that all the pieces will be cut from lining this time.

Iron the zipper flat when you are done.

The Pockets
We have actually already constructed two of the four pockets and have only the two open pockets remaining. Lay the pocket pieces with right sides facing on top of each other. Sew the top seams with approximately 1,5 cm seam allowance. The outside pocket has one fabric piece and one lining piece.

The inside open pocket has both pieces cut from lining, but the steps are exactly the same as for the outside pocket.

Iron the seams open,before you fold the pockets over so that the right sides are facing out. Iron the pockets flat on the seam.

Lay the outside open pocket down on one of the fabric panels of the bag. Mark the centers at the top and bottom.

Sew straight down the middle of the pocket, effectively turning the one big pocket into two smaller pockets. (This step is entirely optional. At the same time, if you prefer smaller pockets, you can repeat the same steps for the inside open pockets as well. I did not, because I loathe rummaging to find something inside a bag and not having free access to the pockets).

In the next blog we put the rest of the bag together to finish it.

For more crafty ideas and great products, visit APrettyTalent.com.

Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.

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