Lotus Bag revisited « Craft Apple

Updated

This isn’t a tutorial for the Lotus bag. This isn’t even a pattern. But here are some basic instructions on how to make it since so many people asked. I wouldn’t recommend using these instructions for making your first bag, but if you’ve made a bag before, there’s a strong likelihood that you can make this bag for yourself! All seams are 1/2″ and all measurements noted are on the straight line. There are no curve measurements.

1. Here’s the basic shape of the interior pattern piece. Cut 2. Sorry, I don’t even remember how to measure an arc:

2. Fuse interior pieces with a fusible fleece cut 1/2″smaller all around.

3. Then for the exterior panels, I used the same shape but added 1/2″ seams to each panel so that it would measure the same when sewn up with a 1/2″ seam. Cut 2 of each piece.

4. Fuse interfacing on exterior fabric pieces.

5. Put a pocket on an inside panel (or two) if you want to.

6. Attach magnetic snap now if desired.

7. Sew interior pieces together, right sides together.

8. Assemble exterior panels.

9. Sew exterior pieces together, right sides together.

10. Clip corners on interior and exterior.

11. Place interior inside exterior, right sides together.

12. Sew around the top, leaving a 4″ hole for turning in the middle and four 1″ holes where the strap handles will go in. I put my straps right on the seam where the different fabrics lined up at the top of the bag.

13. Turn right side out.

14. Press crisp seams around the top of the bag.

15. Slip leather handles into opennings (My leather straps were cut to 24″ long)

16. Edgestitch along the top of the bag, securing straps into place and closing up 4″ opening as you go.

Do not be tempted to put one long strap on the side seams of this bag. It will not hold it’s shape this way and will collapse. Believe me, I know.

If you have questions, leave me a comment and I’ll try to update the post to make it more clear.

13 Responses to “Lotus Bag revisited”

Feed for this Entry Trackback Address

1 Pieces March 12, 2007 at 2:42 pm

This is awesome! I have been gathering some fabrics in anticipation of trying this bag–and now I have some help! Thanks for posting the instructions.
2 Patricia March 12, 2007 at 9:02 pm

Thanks for the info. Where did you find your leather straps?
3 Kirsten March 13, 2007 at 1:45 pm

Thanks for posting this pattern - I’d like to try using it. I too am curious as to where to find some leather straps.
4 lera March 13, 2007 at 3:24 pm

Yay! Thank you so much. This is now on my very long to-do list.

I found some leather straps at the “farm store,” but they were very pricey. Like $30 for a little bit, so this bag may have to wait.
5 DeeLight March 13, 2007 at 7:42 pm

What a great pattern!! Thanks for sharing. I’ve never made a bag with leather staps, very cool!!
6 weirdbunny March 14, 2007 at 11:37 am

I’ll have a go now I’ve got a sewing machine !
7 Lori March 14, 2007 at 8:15 pm

Thanks so much for this pattern, I love that bag.
8 ohelene March 15, 2007 at 3:22 am

Thanks for sharing! You know my perfect blogs are those who both share and inspire. You have one of those!
9 Linda L March 15, 2007 at 6:07 am

Love the fabrics you used. Looks great with the outfit.
10 Cathy March 18, 2007 at 3:33 pm

Hmmmm… now you have given me yet another way to construct a bag. I’m up to 3. I wonder if there are more?
11 Rejani Nair January 17, 2008 at 2:20 am

thank you so much. i am going to make this today. i have few patterns. i am ready to share this with you