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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
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• • • •
Time
5h00

Reversible - Perfect for Criminals
I want to show you: my reversible cut-out handle bag!

I am really in love with the fabrics, they just brighten up my day whenever i use this bag! The strap is removable, so i can attach it to both sides or wear the whole thing without it!
It fits a A4-writing pad (don't know paper standards in the US). The cut-out handle part is pretty stiff, i used heavyheavyweight-interfacing. When there are no big papers or books in, the handlepart is just floppy which i like a lot!

Please click the images for original size! Still to small? PM me ;)

I'm sorry for that, but there are too much pictures for making steps for each one. I have written this tutorial for another board originally.

Any specific questions? PM me!

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  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 1
    Step 1

    First of all, draw this pattern on cardboard and cut it! All measures are meant approx, so don't mind making any of them smaller or bigger! Seam allowances are minimum 1.5cm (0.95 inch). Usually I cut 5 cm (1.97 inch) to have some tolerance for tweaking!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 2
    Step 2

    All following instructions mean both fabrics!
    After cutting, iron on some light interfacing on 2 parts of A and all of your B parts. You will need the 2 left A parts for making the cut-out handles!

    Now you should have this:

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 3
    Step 3

    Take your interfaces A-parts and pin them right to right on your non-interfaced A-parts!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 4
    Step 4

    Stitch the hole (several times) and cut as shown in the picture! Now you can pull one side through and your cut-out is nearly finished!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 5
    Step 5

    Iron all your cut-outs! Now take your heavy weight interfacing and cut two pieces in size of your A-pieces! Place the interfacing between your fabrics like shown! Cut your interfacing smaller than the actual markings of your A-parts! I haven't cut enough, as you can see in the picture!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 6
    Step 6

    Now you can stitch your cut-out seam! Add your clousureparts to the wrong side of your A-parts at this step!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 7
    Step 7

    Sew the side seams! Don't cut your seam allowances yet! Before, you have to check if your A-parts fit! To do so: wrong (or right) sides together, Pin your holes and your side seams, this may take ling because you will have to fiddle a lot ;)
    I had to resew one of the side seams of the checkered A-parts!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 8
    Step 8

    If the parts have the proper sizes you can cut the seam allowances! Now put right sides together so you can sew the upper seam of your bag! Maybe you should remeasure and mark where to sew firstly :)
    Don't forget to pin your side seams and holes accurately, this may help!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 9
    Step 9

    Unpin everything, cut your seam allowances, turn the whole dang thing around and IRON! The next step will make you want to throw either yourself or your sewing machine straight out of the window, I've chosen to take some deep breathes and bite my cat (nah not really). Ok... after proper ironing, pin the handleholes and sew! It may be easier to place your sewing foot like shown (through the upper hole). I'm not sure about that. Don't care too much of tracing your first stitchings, just try to sew :) I've used the handwheel to sew slowly!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 10
    Step 10

    Welcome to step 10 :) Now sew the lower seam, don't forget to measure and pin!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 11
    Step 11

    Take your C-parts! You will make now the loop for the strap! Just fold and iron them. They should be about 2.5cm (0.98 inches) in width when sewn. Then fold them in half, decide how big your loop should be and sew!

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 12
    Step 12

    Take your B-parts! Pin the pleats and sewn them down, then sew your loops on, don't forget -> they should face the right side of the fabric. The ruler shows approx. 4cm (1,57 inches)! Next you can join your B-parts! Leave a small part unsewn at one of your Bs, this is where you pull your bag through at the end.

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 13
    Step 13

    Now we have to combine our As and Bs! Take one B, turn it inside out and place your A, with the matching fabric facing, inside the B. Pin and sew! Done? Awesome! Now turn the whole thing and repeat the last step with the left over B! Remember your unsewn slot? Pull your bag through :)

  • How to make a handbag. Cut Out Handle Bag - Step 14
    Step 14

    Close the opening by handsewing! Just one step is missing - the straps. Sew them together in length, then fold and iron them to make a strap (width: 3cm, 1.18 in.)! Sew length and ends! I usually just zigzag the ends, not quite beautiful nor professional but easy and fast :)

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Comments

Lundora
Lundora · Kokkola, FI · 8 projects
This is just the thing my criminal career needed!
Reply
elsie a.
elsie a. · Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY
thank you for sharing this bag tutourial steps.i really likes your bag with this handlesHappy
Reply
Jacqueline C.
Jacqueline C. · 12 projects
Lovely bag, will have to have a go at this one, love the fabric.
Reply
Ani W.
Ani W. · Germany, Pennsylvania, US · 18 projects
hey im just making this and in step 4 it says pull one side through. I dont get this bit Tongue can u pls message me a picture or further insturctions...thx Happy

Reply
Riechan
Riechan · Limbourg, Walloon Region, BE · 21 projects
I love his bag!!
very cute ^^
Reply
kermit
kermit · Maastricht, Limburg, NL · 8 projects
Thanks for the tut!
Reply
---
--- · 24 projects
Thank you!

I already have written a tutorial for this bag some weeks ago, now i just need to find time for uploading. It's pretty imageheavy.
Reply
northernstar
northernstar · Flateyri, Westfjords, IS · 35 projects
I love that it's reversible, I crave objects that are interchangeable! I like that it flops down too Happy
Reply

CO + K User

This is gorgeous!!!
Reply
Holly B.
Holly B. · Dorset, England, GB · 28 projects
That's great - a How-To would be much appreciated thanks!
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