Lotus Bag revisited

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.