Complete your Valentine’s Day ensemble by designing this retro-inspired rose print bag! A fresh take on the classic dowel bag, this purse is part nostalgic and part modern. This bag pattern is a beginner-level project that can be completed in an afternoon, so you can whip up a cute purse for date night in no time at all. Combine this romantic bag with your favorite pair of jeans and a flirty top for a fab night-out look!
Time: Afternoon project
Skill Level: Beginner
Finished Measurements: Length: 11’’. Width; 11’’.
Materials:
- (Fabric 1) 1/2 yard cotton print fabric (45’’ width)
- (Fabric 2) 1/2 yard solid colored light canvas fabric (45’’ width)
- Medium weight iron-on interfacing
- Matching thread
- (2) 12’’ wooden dowels, approximately 2 1/2’’ in circumference
- Pattern Diagram – located at the bottom of this page
Equipment:
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Scissors (if not using a rotary cutter)
- Safety pins or Wonder Clips
- Iron
- Sewing machine
- Tailor’s chalk
Designer Notes:
Fabric 1 will be the outside (right side) of your bag.
Instructions:
CUTTING
- Measure out and cut 1 panel of A from all fabrics and interfacing. Measure out and cut 2 panels of B from all fabrics and interfacing.
- Iron interfacing panels onto wrong sides of Fabric 1 panels. Iron out all wrinkles from all panels before sewing.
SEWING
- Pin one pair of Fabric 1 and 2 right sides together from B panels. Starting anywhere along the straight edge, sew around the entire edge of fabric using a 1/2’’ seam allowance. Leave a 3’’ space between beginning and ending to turn fabric. Backstitch at both ends. Repeat the process with the other two panels of B.
- Clip corners and rounded edge. Turn the panels right side out, taking care to push out all edges. Tuck in raw turning space and iron panels flat.
- Starting anywhere, sew around the entire edge of both panels using 1/4’’ seam allowance. Connect beginning and end, backstitching both. Trim all threads. Set aside.
- Repeat steps 1-3 for panels of A.
CONSTRUCTION
- Fold finished panel A in half horizontally and mark either side of the middle with a pin. Fold each B panel in half vertically and mark the rounded middle point with a pin.
- With right sides out, match up one pin from panel A with the pin from one panel B. Pin around the entire length of panel B’s curved edge. Repeat this process along the other side. Sew along pinned edges using a 1/4’’ seam allowance. Try to stitch into previous seams, careful to backstitch along the beginning and end.
- Fold over and pin each of the 4 bag handle straps to the wrong side of the fabric at 2 1/4’’. Sew a straight stitch 1/4’’ and 1/2’’ from the folded over edge to create a fabric loop that the dowels will slide into. After all four loops are sewn, insert dowels. If a tighter fit is needed, sew another straight stitch at 5/8’’ from folded edge.
- Clip all threads to finish.
The trouble with this is that it is not safe enough without a zip or other bag closure, IMHO. So although I love the design, I certainly wouldn’t use it as a purse.
Hi Caroline! You’re right, a zipper would definitely not work with this bag. A magnetic closure at the top of the bag’s body might work as an option though! Have a great day! – Ashley, WeLikeSewing