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Sewing Patterns

The Love Basket

This yummy-licious bag has a very simple shape to allow your fabric choice to be the star
of the show and really pop! The basket shape is firm and crisp and can it stand up by
itself.

Pattern notes:
• Pattern is based on a landscape rectangle - see instructions for measurements.
• All seam allowances are 3/8” (1cm) unless stated otherwise.
• Pattern pieces have 3/8” (1cm) seam allowance included.
• WSO/RSO/WST/RST = wrong/right side out/wrong/right sides together.
• Right/wrong side = front or pattern/reverse side of fabric.
• Finished size: 13” x 9” x 4” (33cm x 23cm x 10cm)

What you’ll need:

• A pair of 7” x 5” (18cm x 13cm) Bamboo Bag Handles with hooks.
• 1/2yrd (50cm) Iron-on medium fusible interfacing
• 1yrd (1m) Ultra Firm fusible interfacing
• 1/2yrd (50cm) Heavy sew-in interlining
• 1 set of magnetic snaps 1 6/8” (19mm)
• 1 set of protective bag feet 6/8” (16mm)
• 1 Medium Grid Bag Bottom
lorem•ipsum dolor
1/2 yrd metlining
(50cm) set fabric (I’ve used quilt weight cotton) and matching thread
quam•nunc
1/2 parum
yrd (50cm) exterior fabric (I’ve used quilt weight cotton) and matching thread
2007
• Disappearing fabric marker or chalk
• Pins
©2010 U-Handbag.com Patterns
 How to make the Handbag

Steps to prepare

1. Before you begin, have a read through the

instructions and follow them in order.

2. Cut:

• 2 x rectangles 14” x 12” (36cm x 31cm) of

exterior fabric and lining fabric for the
main body. Right way up = landscape.

• 2 x rectangles of med fusible interfacing

14” x 12” (36cm x 31cm) for the main Fig 1. Push the snap prongs through the RS of the tab fabric and
body. Now iron the interfacing to the WS
the 2 layers of Heavy Sew-in interlining.
of both exterior main body fabric pieces.

• 2 x rectangles of heavy weight interlining

14” x 12” (36cm x 31cm) for the main
body.

• 2 x rectangles of Ultra Firm fusible

interfacing 14” x 12” (36cm x 31cm) for
the main body.

• 1 strip of 9 1/2” x 2 3/8” (24cm x 6cm) of

exterior fabric for the handle loops.

• 2 x rectangles 4 6/8” x 2/3/8” (12cm x

6cm) lining fabric for the magnetic snap
tabs.
Fig 2. Fold the mag snap tab in half RST and stitch down
• 2 x rectangles 4 6/8” x 2/3/8” (12cm x both the long side edges
6cm) med fusible interfacing for the
magnetic snap tabs. Now iron the
interfacing to the WS of both magnetic
snap tab fabric pieces.

• 2 x rectangles 4 6/8” x 2/3/8” (12cm x

6cm) heavy sew-in interlining for the
magnetic snap tabs.

3. Trim off 1/2" (13mm) all around both of the

ultra firm interfacing pieces (this will reduce
bulk at the seams and make life a whole lot
easier!)

Fig 3. Arrows are pointing to a line of stitches just above the mag
snap. Trim off any untidy bits from the top edges.

©2010 U-Handbag.com Patterns

 4. Position the trimmed ultra firm interfacing
pieces centrally onto the WS of one of the
bag exterior pieces (on top of the medium
interfacing) and iron in place. Repeat with
the other ultra firm interfacing piece.

5. Make up the handle loops - take the handle

loop fabric strip. With the fabric strip WSU
fold in half lengthways, iron and open out.
Fold in both the long edges to the centre
crease line and iron. Fold the whole strip
along the fold (so it all resembles a book
jacket cover). Topstitch along both long
edges and divide the resulting strip into 4
equal lengths. Set aside.

Steps to the magnetic snap tabs: Fig 4. Only pin in the seam allowance because the Ultra firm
interfacing is too stiff for pins.
6. Take one of the fabric mag snap tab pieces
and fold it in half RST by bringing the short
edges together.

7. Mark a small ‘x’ for the mag snap position

5/8” (1 1/2cm) up from the (just) folded
edge (which will form the bottom edge of
the mag snap flap). Unfold the fabric mag
snap tab piece.

8. Take one of the mag snap tab heavy sew-in

interlining pieces and fold it in half by
bringing the short edges together. Place
the folded heavy sew-in behind the ‘X’ Fig 5. Flatten one of the bottom corners - look inside the bag to
marking you made in Step 7. so that all of check that the side seam meets the bottom seam. Grab a ruler,
the edges meet. Cut a 5/8” (1 1/2cm) measure 2” (5cm) in from the tip of the triangle and draw a line
square of heavy sew-in (for mag snap
that is right angle to the side seam.
reinforcement) and place it behind the ‘X’
marking hold in place with your fingers for
the next step.

9. Using a stitch/seam ripper make 2 tiny

incisions for the mag snap prongs through
the RS of the mag snap flap fabric (using
the ‘x’ mark as a guide). Push the prongs of
the snap through the incisions (though all 3
layers). See fig 1. Place the washer over
the prongs at the back and push the prongs
down away from each other.

10. Fold up the mag snap tab RST and stitch

along the open sides with a 1/4” (5mm)
seam allowance. See fig 2. Clip the bottom
Fig 6. Stitch along the marked line ensuring your beginning
corners and turn the mag snap tab RSO and
iron out any creases. Now stitch a line and ending stitches are nice and secure.

across the width the mag tabs 2/8” (7mm) Trim off the excess fabric as shown.
above the top of the mag snap. See fig 3.
©2010 U-Handbag.com Patterns
 11. Repeat Steps 6 - 10 for the other mag snap
tab. If necessary trim off any uneven edges
from the top edge of the mag snap tabs. Set
the tabs aside.

Steps to the bag exterior:

12. Bring the 2 exterior fabric pieces RST.

Neatly match up all edges, pin (in the seam
allowance only) and stitch along the sides
and bottom. As you stitch ensure your
Fig 7. Handle loops and mag snap tab (and optional pocket) are
needle is 1/16” (2mm) to the left of the Ultra
stitched in place onto the RS of the lining.
firm interfacing. We DON’T want to sew
thru the Ultra firm because it will make for
bumpy seams - urgh!

13. Create a flat bottom for the bag. Grab one of

the bottom corners of the exterior and
match the side seam with the bottom seam.
Flatten to form a triangle. From the tip of
the triangle measure in 2” (5cm) and mark
the line and pin See Fig 5.

14. Stitch along the line you made in Step 13

and then trim off excess See Fig 6. Repeat
Steps 12-13 for the other bottom corner.

15. Now iron the side and bottom seams open.

As the bag is stiff it will be too awkward to Fig 8. Insert the exterior bag completely into the lining bag
use an ironing board: instead get yourself a
as shown in the pic.
clean tea towel to protect your hand. Now
you can use your hand as a mobile ironing
board! Get your covered hand into the bag,
peel the side and bottom seams apart and
iron them flat.

16. Turn the exterior bag RSO. I won’t lie - this

will be awkward and there will be horrible
creasing and scrunching. Fear not the
creases will iron out. The Ultra firm
interfacing DOES iron very very well. You
gotta trust me on this one :) Push out the
corners with a fat knitting needle or other
similar blunt tool and iron out any creases
(no need to be thorough with the ironing at
Fig 9. match up the side seams and raw top edges of the lining
this stage).
and the exterior bags. Pin all around the top edge - in the seam
allowance only.

©2010 U-Handbag.com Patterns

 17. Turn the bag upside down and measure and
mark (at regular intervals) 2” (5cm) either side
of the bottom seam. Use these markings to
pinch and crease a flat bottom for the bag. We
are aiming for a bag base which is 9” x
4” (23cm x 10cm). The Ultra firm interfacing
will fold neatly and crisply.

18. Now you have ‘folded’ the bag base measure

the base and use the measurements to cut the
grid bag bottom to size. Cut it ever so slightly
smaller than the base measurements to make
fitting & insertion easier.

19. Make tiny pen markings for the bag feet on the
RS bottom of the bag 6/8” (2cm) square in
from the edge. Using the markings as a guide Fig 10. Gently tease and pull the exterior bag out through the
gap in the bottom of the lining.
use a seam ripper make tiny incisions for the
bag feet prongs. Now make corresponding
markings on the grid bag bottom for the bag
feet. Through the markings you have just
made use small scissors to snip tiny incisions in
the grid (just large enough to accommodate
the bag feet prongs).

20. Insert the Grid Bag Bottom into the bottom of

the exterior. Turn the exterior bag upside
down, put your hand in the exterior bag to
support the grid bag bottom and apply the
purse feet. Push the feet prongs through the
RS of the exterior bag and through the Grid
Bag Bottom, press the bag feet prongs down -
this will help secure the grid bag bottom in
position. Repeat with the other 3 feet. Fig11. Unscrew one of the hooks on the bamboo handles and
thread the hook through one of the handle loops.
Steps to the bag lining:

21. Lay each lining main body piece RSU onto a

heavy sew-in main body piece. Match all
edges, pin and treat as one layer.

22. Optional inner pocket - Cut 2 rectangles 8” x

6” (20cm x 15cm) of exterior fabric. Bring both
pocket pieces RST, pin and stitch all around
leaving a 3” (8cm) gap in the pocket bottom
edge. Clip the corners, iron the seams open
and turn RSO through the gap. Iron pocket and
pin (with gap facing down) to the RS centre of
one of the lining fabric pieces 3” (7 1/2cm)
down from the top edge of the lining. Topstitch
the pocket to the lining piece all around the
sides and bottom of the pocket (sewing the
gap in the pocket shut as you sew).

©2010 U-Handbag.com Patterns

 22. Bring both of the lining fabric pieces RST,
neatly match up all edges, pin and stitch
together along the sides and bottom leaving a
7” (18cm) opening in the bottom.
23. Create a flat bottom in the lining as in Steps
13-14.
24. On the RS of the lining make 4 markings for
the 4 handle loops; approx 3 1/2” (9cm) in
from the side seams BUT check with your bag
handles for a proper fit.
25. Fold a handle loop in half and place it onto the
RS of lining onto one of the 4 markings you
made in Step 24. Ensure the raw edges of the
handle loop and the top edge of the lining
meet. Stitch the handle loop onto the lining
1/4” (1/2cm) from the edge See Fig 7.
Repeat for the other three handle loops.
26. Place the mag snap tabs (with mag snap
facing out and raw top edge uppermost) onto
the RS centre top edge of one of the lining
fabric pieces. Pin in position and stitch the tab
to lining close to the edge. See Fig 7. Repeat
with the other mag snap tab and lining fabric
piece.
Steps to constructing the bag:
27. Insert the bag exterior (still turned RSO) into
the bag lining. The right sides of the bag
exterior and the lining should now be touching
each other. See Fig 8.
29. Carefully line up the raw top edges and side
seams of the bag exterior and bag lining and
pin together See Fig 9. Stitch along the top
of the bag.
©2010 U-Handbag Patterns. Copyright Notes:
You are welcome to hand make items from our patterns for
commercial and non-commercial use. We are happy for you
to sell items made from our designs on Etsy or market stalls
etc. However, permissions for commercial use do not include
factory manufacture for mass production and mass selling.
We respectfully ask to not to pass off our pattern designs as
your own creation and do not reproduce this pattern
anywhere. Thanks for your understanding :)
30. Turn the bag upside down and carefully
tease the bag exterior completely out
through the opening in the lining. See
fig 10. Again there will be lots of
horrible scrunching, but all will be fine
and ironed out next - promise!
31. Stitch the gap in the lining shut by
pushing the seam allowance inside the
hole and topstitching close to the edge
for a neat finish. Pop the lining into the
exterior. Place a clean tea towel over
the exterior and iron out any creases in
the bag (use a travel sized iron if
possible - it's handier for getting into
them nooks and crannies!) The tea
cloth will prevent any goo or scorch
marks getting onto your yummy new
bag.
32. Still using the tea towel - iron the top
edge of the bag making sure the lining
does not ride up above the top edge.
Fold both magnetic snap tabs down into
the bag and hold them down with your
fingers as you topstitch 3/8” (1cm) from
the edge all around the top of the bag.
Make sure your bottom thread colour
matches the lining! Iron bag again if
necessary.
33. Now for the handles. Unscrew the pin
from one of the handle hooks and insert
the hook into one of the bag’s handle
loops See fig 11. Reassemble the
handle by screwing the pin back in
through the handle and hook. Repeat
for the remaining 3 handle hooks. Ta
dah! Gorgeous or what?
©2010 U-Handbag.com Patterns