Basket Style Handbag

You will need:

A pair of 5 (13cm) x 7 (18cm) Bamboo Half Ring Handles.
1 strip of Fabric 10 (26cm) x 2.5 (6.5cm) for the handle
loops and matching thread.
2 rectangles of Fabric 14 (36cm) x 12 (31cm) for the outer
(shell) and matching thread. Purchase at least 0.5 yrd of fabric
per bag.
2 rectangles of Fabric 14 (36cm) x 12 (31cm) for the lining
and matching thread Purchase at least 0.5 yrd of fabric per
bag.
2 rectangles of Firm Fusible Interfacing 14 (36cm) x 12
(31cm). Purchase at least 0.5 yrd of interfacing per bag.
2 squares of Firm Fusible Interfacing 1 (3cm) x 1 (3cm).
2 rectangles of Firm Sew-In (Craft Weight) Interlining 14
(36cm) x 12 (31cm) Purchase at least 0.5 yrd of interling per
bag.
1 Grid Bag Bottom cut to a 13 (33cm) x 4 (10cm) rectangle.
1 set of Magnetic Snaps.
1 set of Bag Feet

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Basket Style Handbag

Preparation
Iron the fusible interfacing onto the wrong side of the bag
outer (shell) fabric pieces.
Trim off 3/8" (1cm) all around both of the pelmet interlining
pieces (this will reduce bulk at the seams and make life a lot
easier!)

Magnetic Snap

Iron a small square of fusible interfacing 1 (2.5cm) down

from the top centre edge of the lining onto wrong side of the
lining for the magnetic snaps. Make markings for the
magnetic snaps 1.5 (4cm) down from the top edge of the
lining. Apply the magnetic snaps (see picture).

Handle Loops

Make the Handle Loops by folding in 0.5 (12mm) and

pressing both of the long sides of the strip. Fold the whole
thing in half lengthwise and press. Stitch along the open edge.
Divide the resulting strip into four 2 (5cm) lengths (see
picture).
All seam allowances are 0.5 (12mm).

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Basket Style Handbag

1. The Bag Shell
a) Create a 4 layered sandwich with the two pieces of sew-in
interlining on the outside of the sandwich, and the shell fabric
with the right sides facing inwards in the middle of the
sandwich.
b) Carefully line up all the edges of the sandwich and stitch all 4
layers together along the sides and bottom (remember; seam
is allowance is 0.5 (12mm).
c) Now you will create a flat bottom for the bag. Grab one of the
bottom corners of the shell and match the side seam line with
the bottom seam line. Flatten to form a triangle (see picture).
From the tip of the triangle measure in 2 (5cm) and mark the
line and pin (Pic 1c).

Figure 1c

d) Stitch along the marked line and then trim off excess. (Pic 1d)
Repeat steps 1c - 1d for the other corner

Figure 1d

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Basket Style Handbag

e) Turn the shell right side out. Make chalk markings on the
bottom of the bag on the right side for the bag feet. Using
those markings make corresponding markings on the grid bag
bottom for the bag feet. Cut through those markings in the
grid for the next step. Insert Grid Bag Bottom into the bottom
of the shell.
f) Turn the shell upside down and apply the purse feet. Push the
prongs through the Grid Bag Bottom, this will help secure it
down.

2. The Bag Lining

a) With the right sides of the lining fabric facing inwards; stitch
both of the lining pieces together along the sides. Stitch along
the bottom to the ends leaving a 6 (15cm) opening in the
middle; this is very important for step 4c (Pic 2a).

Figure 2a

b) Create a flat bottom in the bag lining. (see steps 1c - 1e).

c) Make 4 markings for the 4 handle loops on the right side of
the lining; 3 (8cm) in from the side seam stitching (Pic 2c).

Figure 2c

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3. Handle Loops
a) Fold one of the handle loops in half lengthways so that the
raw edges meet.
b) Place the handle loop onto right side of lining on one of the 4
markings you made in step 3 c) ensuring the raw edges of the
handle loop and the top of the lining meet. Stitch the handle
loop onto lining keeping close to the top edge (pic 2c).
c) Repeat steps 3a - 3b for the other three handle loops.

4. Putting It All Together

a) Nearly there! Insert the Bag Shell (still turned right side out)
into the Bag lining. The right sides of the Bag Shell and the
Bag Lining should now be facing each other.
b) Carefully line up the raw edges and side seams of the Bag
Shell and Bag Lining and pin together (Pic 4b). Stitch along the
top of the bag.

Figure 4b

c) Turn the bag upside down and carefully tease the Bag Shell
completely out through the opening in the lining (Pic 4c).

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Basket Style Handbag

Figure 4c

d) Stitch the opening in the lining by pushing the seam

allowance inside the opening and stitching close to the edge
for a neat finish. Push the lining into the shell. Iron out any
creases in the bag (use a travel sized iron if possible - it's
handier for getting into the nooks and crannies!)
e) Press the top edge of the bag making sure the lining does not
ride up above the shell. Topstitch along the top edge (a few
millimetres from the edge) of the bag.
f) Now for the handles. Unscrew the pin from one of the handle
hooks, and insert the hook into one of the bags handle loops
(Pic 4f). Reassemble the handle by screwing the pin back in
through the handle. Repeat for the remaining 3 handle hooks.

Figure 4f

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