Sewing Projects

Theatre or Opera?

Home furnishing fabrics make fantastic bags which are both durable and reversible fabrics.

Damask fabric in particular can be assembled so both faces show to create subtle contrasts and preclude the need for a facing. This bag is ideal for evenings at the theatre or opera!

Materials

Dimensions: 27 cm (112) wide x 12 cm (5”) deep x 23 cm (9”) high (excluding handles).

86 x 35 cm (35 x 14”) Ecru floral damask (reversible)
86 x 29 cm (35 x 12”) Red velveteen
27 x 12 cm (11 x 52”) Crisp interfacing (such as stencil Mylar)
80 cm (32”) PVC tube (1 cm (3/8” in diameter) for handle
30 cm (12”) Red twisted decorative cord (5 mm (3/8”)
Thread – ecru and red

Steps to prepare

Photocopy the half pattern (found at the end of this project) enlarging to 118% and be sure to fold the fabric as shown here for cutting.

Mark and cut out fabric as follows:

DAMASK:
2 main pieces 36 x 25 cm (14 ½ x 10”)
1 bottom, adding 1 cm (1/2”) all around
2 handles - 5 cm x 44 cm (2 x 18”)

VELVETEEN:
2 main piece 36 x 25 cm (14 ½ x 10”)
1 bottom, adding 1 cm (1/2”) all around

Overlock or zigzag stitch the edges of each piece. On the wrong side of both bottom  pieces, mark the midpoint of both longer edges as indicated by the black triangles on the pattern pieces (first decide which side of the damask you wish to use as the right side of the bottom).

INTERFACING:
Cut 1 bottom without seam allowance.

PVC TUBE:
2 lengths of 40 cm (16”)

Steps to make

1. Place the damask main piece one on top of the other with their opposite sides together (so that each half of the bag will be a different tone). Pin the layers together along the shorter edges; then sew, using 1 cm (1/2”) seam allowance. Press the seam allowance open. Topstitch through both layers on each side of each seam, stitching close to the seam.

2. With the right sides together, pin the bottom into the tube made in step, aligning the marks on the bottom with the seams of the tube. Sew, using 1 cm (1/2”) seam allowance. Notch the allowance on the curves.

3. With the right sides together in all cases repeat steps 1 and 2 to assemble the velveteen lining. Along the top edge of both bags, fold and press 1 cm (1/2”) to the wrong side.

HANDY HINT: To keep it from crushing, press the velveteen with the right side against a towel.

4. Fold and press 1 cm (1/2”) to the wrong side on one long edge of each handle. Centre a tube lengthwise on the wrong side of each. Wrap the fabric over the tube, lapping the folded edge over the cut edge and pinning the layers snugly together. Slipstitch the layers together.

5. Tie a double knot about 3 cm (1 ½”) from each end of the decorative cord. Unravel each end to make a tassel; trim to even the ends.

6. Turn the damask bag right side out. Place the interfacing bottom inside it. Make sure the lining is wrong side out and insert it, aligning the seams and top edges. Curve a handle above each side, placing the handle ends about 7.5 cm (3”) from the seam and extending them 2 cm (1”) below the top; pin. Fold the decorative cord in half and insert the folded end between the layers next to one of the handles. Pin the top edges to the handles securely, stitching all the way through each to trap the cord ends above the edge of the bag.

7. To shape the top edge of the bag, gather it by hand with long, straight stitches. Use doubled red thread, knot it and then sew through all the payers from handle to handle around each end of the bag about 2.5 cm (1”) below the edge. Pull the thread to gather the fabric - then secure the thread with small stitches.

HANDY HINT: To give the bag a pretty roundness, interline it with lightweight wadding to the wrong side of the lining with spray fabric glue.

Further Information
This project has been reproduced from Chic Bags -22 Handbags, Purses and Accessories to Make by Marie Enderlen-Debuisson / Caroline Laisné with kind permission from Search Press. The book includes 22 projects for those of us who can’t resist a stylish new bag.  With designs ranging from cotton totes to fake fur extravaganzas there’s a great selection of shapes and styles to suit all occasions. Scaleable patterns and templates are included in the book along with bag making basics showing how to add a variety of closures, handles, hardware and trims, plus clear illustrations guide the reader through every step and the results are professional looking bags with linings, pockets, secure fastenings and stylish embellishments. Detachable purses, key rings and mobile phone cases are also included making this collection both pretty and practical for carrying all today’s essentials. It’s an ideal book for sewers of all levels of expertise and it includes useful tips and techniques throughout including sewing with specialist materials such as coated and textured fabrics. Priced at £12.99 and available from Search Press or any good book store.

Pattern for Bag Bottom