| The Rectangle Bag is a great new technique to make handbags of almost any size or shape without patterns, Y-seams or difficult construction. The pattern includes lots of pictures and diagrams, but I realized that I could fill a book quickly, so I'm including "extras" on this page. Once you've mastered the technique in the pattern, these pictures and hints will help you expand your creativity and design your own projects! The Rectangle Bag |
This is the sample handbag project
from the pattern. It has an interior
pocket and a magnetic closure.
from the pattern. It has an interior
pocket and a magnetic closure.
This bag takes the sample project one
step forward with a flap closure. The
button is just for show....there is a
magnetic closure underneath it! There
is ribbon tied through the button hole
and finished with fray check. The
button is then glued to the flap.
step forward with a flap closure. The
button is just for show....there is a
magnetic closure underneath it! There
is ribbon tied through the button hole
and finished with fray check. The
button is then glued to the flap.
This tote bag has vinyl on the exterior.
layer the vinyl next to the exterior
fabric before adding the handle, flap
closure or other embellishments.
layer the vinyl next to the exterior
fabric before adding the handle, flap
closure or other embellishments.
This bag has a
reinforced bottom and
a zipper closure. You
won't believe how easy
the zipper closure is!
Cut two rectangles 4"
by the width of the bag
exterior rectangle.
Press in 1" on either
end, then press in half
lengthwise wrong sides
together. Use a
SEPARATING
zipper....separate it
and attach one side to
each of the folded
edges. Layer the
zipper pieces on top of
the handles, flap
closure and any
embellishments with
the outside facing
down. When the bag
is complete, you can
put a few drops of glue
on the end of the
zipper if you don't want
it to separate.
reinforced bottom and
a zipper closure. You
won't believe how easy
the zipper closure is!
Cut two rectangles 4"
by the width of the bag
exterior rectangle.
Press in 1" on either
end, then press in half
lengthwise wrong sides
together. Use a
SEPARATING
zipper....separate it
and attach one side to
each of the folded
edges. Layer the
zipper pieces on top of
the handles, flap
closure and any
embellishments with
the outside facing
down. When the bag
is complete, you can
put a few drops of glue
on the end of the
zipper if you don't want
it to separate.
This bag has exterior
pockets that also serve
to reinforce the bottom.
See the pattern for
instructions.
pockets that also serve
to reinforce the bottom.
See the pattern for
instructions.
This bag has a reinforced bottom and
fuzzy balls along the top. To add an
embellishment like a string of fuzzy
balls or beads, layer them closest to
the bag exterior, then add the handles,
flap closure etc on top. The bag below
has beads added.
fuzzy balls along the top. To add an
embellishment like a string of fuzzy
balls or beads, layer them closest to
the bag exterior, then add the handles,
flap closure etc on top. The bag below
has beads added.
Believe it or not, you can easily create a backpack using the same
techniques as all of the other bags. This one has a reinforced
bottom. Split the exterior rectangle in half and sew the straps into
the seam that will become the bottom of the bag. Create a long flap
closure that finishes:
(exterior width - "T" seam size) - 1"
This one has a magnetic closure with a decorative button on top.
techniques as all of the other bags. This one has a reinforced
bottom. Split the exterior rectangle in half and sew the straps into
the seam that will become the bottom of the bag. Create a long flap
closure that finishes:
(exterior width - "T" seam size) - 1"
This one has a magnetic closure with a decorative button on top.
Layer a ribbon into each side
seam about 2" below the top
seam on the front side of the
bag to use as a drawstring.
After completing the bag, use
a pair of eyelet pliars to add
1/4" double sided eyelets or
rivets along the top of the
bag. Thread the ribbon
through the eyelets.
seam about 2" below the top
seam on the front side of the
bag to use as a drawstring.
After completing the bag, use
a pair of eyelet pliars to add
1/4" double sided eyelets or
rivets along the top of the
bag. Thread the ribbon
through the eyelets.
| Watch here for more ideas! Contact me if you have questions! Home |
The Rectangle Bag does not have to be rectangular!! Start with
your exterior and lining rectangles and fold them in half. Use your
rotary cutter to slice an angle off each side, then follow the
instructions for flat construction as usual. When you do the "T"
seam and "Tent" seam, they will form a slight angle rather than a
neat "T" and "Tent", but continue to sew as usual. The magic will
happen when you turn the bag right side out! This bag is larger
at the top, but you can just as easily make a bag that is larger at
the bottom.
your exterior and lining rectangles and fold them in half. Use your
rotary cutter to slice an angle off each side, then follow the
instructions for flat construction as usual. When you do the "T"
seam and "Tent" seam, they will form a slight angle rather than a
neat "T" and "Tent", but continue to sew as usual. The magic will
happen when you turn the bag right side out! This bag is larger
at the top, but you can just as easily make a bag that is larger at
the bottom.
