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Bow Handbag | Easy Sewing Project | Step-by-Step Guide

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It's time for your first instalment of our brand new series, The Bag Edit. Every month, on the 15th, we will be bringing you a new bag that you can stitch-along with us. First up is this beautiful bow bag.

This sweet, stylish and easy-to-make bag features an oversized bow on the front, fastens with a magnetic snap and has a handy patch pocket on the inside.

At 13 x 11 x 3½in (33 x 28 x 9cm), this bag is large enough to carry all your essentials yet small enough for everyday use. The bow on the flap adds flair, and the choice of fabric can transform it into the perfect accessory for a special occasion.

Fabric choices I’ve made two bags, one from cotton fabrics and the other from cork fabric, which is a sustainable and durable fabric made from thin sheets of cork bark with a fabric backing. The cork version gives the bag a completely different look, making it a wonderfully versatile design. Whether you choose pretty cotton prints, elegant linen or modern cork fabric, this is a bag you'll enjoy carrying all year round.

For the all-cotton version, I’ve used the same fabric as my lining for the bag flap and the centre of the bow, but you could use three fabrics: one for the outer, one for the flap and bow centre and a third fabric for the lining.

Sewing with cork fabric

Cork fabric has to be treated with special attention. Here are a few tips for sewing with it:
Don't iron directly on cork. Use a pressing cloth and a low heat setting if needed. It’s best to iron from the back, but be aware that cork is waterproof, so steam won’t penetrate it.
Store cork rolled rather than folded whenever possible.
Use a 90/14 or 100/16 Microtex needle for clean stitching.
Avoid pinning through cork because holes are permanent, and as cork is quite a firm fabric it may be difficult to pin through, so use clips instead. If you must pin, keep pins within the seam allowance.
Increase the stitch length slightly to 2.8–3.5mm. A longer stitch prevents perforating the cork like a tear-off line. Test your stitching on scraps first.
Cork can sometimes stick under a standard foot, so use a Teflon/non-stick foot or a walking foot, or place tissue paper underneath the foot.
Use a rotary cutter and ruler for the cleanest edges. A sharp blade is essential!
Cork doesn't fray, so seam allowances don't need finishing.

Make it your own!
1. Different fabric choices can radically change the look of your bag – consider different types of fabric, such as faux suede or leather, go bold with loud patterns or choose very neutral fabrics to suit your look.
2. Add more inside pockets or subdivide the single pocket to suit your needs – make a pocket to fit your mobile, a pen and notebook or even a handy pack of tissues. You could also swap the patch pocket for a zipped one.
3. Make a longer strap and add a slider so you can adjust the length and wear it either over one shoulder or across your body (see the Cross-body Bag).
  
  By the end of this project, you’ll have:
  1. Made a bag with a flap and magnetic clasp.
  2. Learned how to set in a gusset.
  3. Discovered how to sew with cork fabric.
  4. Constructed a bow that combines two different fabrics.
    
    You may also like:
    1. Reversible Messenger Bag.
    2. Oilcloth Tote Bag
    3. Appliqué Bag
    4. Eco Lunch Bag Set

Bow Handbag | Easy Sewing Project | Step-by-Step Guide

Sewing with cork fabric

Make it your own!

By the end of this project, you’ll have:

You will need:

Equipment

Materials

Project steps:

Step 1

Step 2

Ready for a Summer of Sewing?