Getting closer to being done! I wanted to add some notes here. This is all the extra stuff I want to tell you, explaining why I did something the way I did it, or offering some alternative ways of handling the construction.
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Skill LevelThis pattern has challenging curves and the handles require attention to detail. It is recommended for those with sewing experience. If you are brand new to sewing, come back and try this one once you are comfortable with curves.
If you have sewing experience, this is a fun bag to make and a great way to show off your sewing skills!
If you find curves challenging, you might want to practice the circle on scrap fabric first. Make sure to use two layers of fabric. This will give you a more accurate feel for what it is like sewing these handles, and it will help stabilize your pieces.
Handles
The handle construction is essentially the same as for the Dewdrop Handbag and the Charm School Handbag.
I did make one change that helped the handles line up perfectly! Instead of machine sewing a second time around the handles to sew the focus fabric and lining layers together, I slip stitched them together by hand. They really did come out pretty perfect and I found it easier to sew than trying to go through all those layers by machine.
If you really don't like hand sewing, you can still machine sew around them a second time. Keep in mind the fabric is going to be really thick. One thing you can do to help making this easier is trim the interfacing layers back close to the stitching around the handle cut outs. Do this after step 3. l) and before clipping the curves in the next step.
If you are slip stitching the handles together, leave the interfacing in place. It helps give a little additional structure to the handles.
When sewing the circle, just go as slow as you need. If you get off track, simply resew that section of the circle. If you do resew parts of the circle, remove any errant stitches that end up INSIDE the circle outline or really off track on the outside of the circle. Minor wonky stitching outside the circle outline shouldn't affect your handle.
Interfacing
Like the other bags with these cut-out handles, I recommend sew-in interfacing. If you use sew-in, you can trim it is you want to ease some bulk from the handles for machine sewing. Sew-in also means the bag is machine washable.
If you want to use fusible interfacing, I recommend following the pattern instructions and slip stitch the handles together. If you want to machine sew the handles together, I don't recommend fusible interfacing (see the Handles section above).
FabricThe instructions are written for using medium weight quilting cottons. If you use a heavier fabric for the focus fabric, you might want to skip interfacing the two focus fabric A pieces.
Button/VELCRO
A small VELCRO tab is used for the outside pocket. VELCRO is used for this bag because it doesn't require as exact of placement as a snap. The pocket is two pieces, and using VELCRO (yes, the maker requests you spell it like this...) gives some flexibility with the flap placement.
You can always use a magnetic snap, a button/loop closure, a button and button hole or some other closure. The instructions aren't included for these though.
Pattern Pieces
You'll probably notice the very first pattern piece is printed on the page at an angle. It fits the margins better, but wow, was it hard to get the text lined up! This piece is half of the top. It needs to be taped to the bottom half to create the full piece.
Piece E is the handle outline template only, and no fabric needs to be cut for this piece. There are two small marks at the top and bottom. These are to help you center the handle piece.
