I was cutting fabrics to make a reversible bag when I read the newest comment in last post where Juliet asked me about sewing reversible Charlie bag. Yes, I cut fabrics in front of my computer, and everytime it blinks, I’ll stop what I’m doing to look at my inbox, twitter, facebook, etc. Bad habit.
Anyway, there’s actually a post in BurdaStyle about lining the Charlie bag. But when I checked it out, it turned out a bit different than what I usually do. Unfortunately, I can’t remember how or when I learned my technique. Maybe I read it somewhere, or someone told me how (my mother?), or maybe I figured it out by myself. So I took pictures while I sew my bag to show how I make it.
The fabric on one side of the bag is leftover from my bib dress. I found this interesting fabric with orange and brown pattern in the nearest thrift store for less than $5 and use it for the other side of the bag. I love thrifting! My bag is actually not a Charlie bag, it is slightly smaller and has rounded bottom. But it is similar to Charlie bag in terms of shape and sewing technique.
Edit: Pattern for my reversible bag is now available for download. Just click the download link at the bottom of this post to get it. The tutorial is also available in PDF file.
Disclaimer: You may use the finished products for both personal and commercial use (craft shops or markets only – no mass production). Please do not pass off the pattern and tutorial as your own. Thank you!
.E
The Tutorial
1. Here is 4 pieces of fabrics after being cut. We’re gonna refer them as set A and set B. If you want pockets, sew them before going to the next step.
2. Sew the bottom and sides of each set. My bag has a rounded bottom and a dart, Charlie bag has straight edges.
Edit: If you use my pattern, sew the darts before sewing the bottom and sides of bag.
3. Put set B in set A, right sides together, and sew around the straps. Stop stitching about 20 cm before the tops of the straps. If your machine has reverse stitch, use it on each end of stitchings to secure it.
4. Clip rounded corners.
5. Turn the right sides out through one of the straps. It will be a bit difficult at first and you’re gonna wonder if you’re doing it right, but just keep doing it. You will feel a thug and after that the bag will turn right sides out smoothly.
Pull out each of the remaining straps.
6. Look! You almost have a bag!
7. Sew the straps of each set together. I often sew the straps absent-mindedly and then found out that I’ve attached them wrong! So please make sure that you sew each strap to the strap beside it, NOT the strap that is in front of it.
8. Press the seams open. Fold seam allowances on straps and press. Also press edges of bag to make it easier for topstitching.
9. Match the tops seams together and pin all open edges of straps. You can also use fusible tapes to make sure it is neat. But I will use pins here.
10. Topstitch all edges of bag. I use different colour thread for the bobbin.
A reversible bag!
Thank you for reading and I hope this post is useful for you!
Click to download:
Reversible bag pattern (58993) ¦ Reversible bag - instructions (46538)
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Hi, I just finished my first “re-bag”. I love your pattern, but the next one will have longer handles:-)
http://kleine-projekte.blogspot.de/2012/05/was-fur-mich.html
Greetings from Germany!
Michelle
Hi, I just finished my “re-bag”.
http://kleine-projekte.blogspot.de/2012/05/was-fur-mich.html
Love your tutorial.
Greetings from Germany! Michelle
Thank you for this tutorial !!!!
Question about darts. Do you sew them on all 4 pieces of fabric before sewing bottom and sides together? This is my first attemp at darts and a bag, so I’d prefer not to jack it all up! LoL!
Hi Lori – You always sew the darts on the flat pieces (all four) before putting them together. You might somehow be able to sew them afterwards, but it would probably not be pretty!
Hi
I love this bag design and have made it for myself and my daughter but a friend has asked to make it but with a zip. I realise this will mean it will no longer be reversible but she says that’s fine. I’m hoping you can offer me some advice on how best to do this.
Thank you
Hey Kim,
Can you answer my question about the darts?? Do you sew them on all 4 pieces of material?
Hello!
Yesterday I made the reversible bag. I’m gonna post in on my blog. Thanks for the tutorial!
Many Greetings,
Orange
thanx… simple and great! No words!
=:)
Hello, thank you for sharing this tutorial for this very cool looking bag. My teen and pre-teen daughter would love me to make this. How much fabric should I buy? I don’t want to buy too much and I don’t want to be short either. Thank you.
Love this! Thanks for the tutorial, found it on pinterest!
Love this! Found it on Pinterest, thanks so much for the how to.
hi.. i should say that your tote bags is
very nice.. the ones that you have put in
so far i like them all.. thank you
THis is great! Pinning it for when I learn to sew, haha.
Lesley
byporchlight.blogspot.com
her’s the picture – hope it works!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/538243_376782199011086_195508993805075_1149789_817203740_n.jpg
I used the cutouts from the handles to make her a little purse to go inside
This is an awesome tutorial! I love it!
I made a link to this tutorial on my blog (http://sewlicious-lisa.blogspot.com/)
Thank you for sharing this !
Lisa
Love this bag! Just wondering, when i print out this pattern, do I need to blow it up and if so, how big? I don’t have a printer (functioning printer, that is), so i’ll need to go to Staples. Would love to use this bag for the beach or day trips. Let me know if you think it’s large enough for this.
Thanks!
Hello. I would like to feature this tutorial on SewCanShe.com. Please drop me an email and let me know if that’s okay.
Thanks!
Caroline
Hi Caroline,
As long as it link back to the source, I wouldn’t mind at all.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for this tutorial!
I just made one of these bags using a button-down shirt I found at thrift store and it turned out great! Thanks for posting the pattern!
http://sarahdudik.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/reversible-bag-from-a-thrifted-shirt/
I just started reading your blog and am inspired by all the great clothes you’ve been making lately.
Thank you for sharing this tutorial. I made this bag by adding a few pockets, if you want to see my version is here: http://princessclarinet.artblog.fr/
It is really handy, I love it
Hi can you explain part where you sew the darts? you sew it in all 4 pieces before moving on right or am i missing something?
Thank-You for the great pattern. How would you go about making the straps longer like in a crossover bag?
thank you! It’s a fantastic tutorial, very clear and very good !
Hi,
What does it mean to sew the darts, in step 2?
Thanks!
love you work just getting into bag making
This is lovely – I run a class for teenage sewers and I think this will be perfect. Thank you so much.
Awesome tutorial! I had to reblog!
OH. I got it now. Never mind!
Love how it is turning out!
I’m stuck on Step 3…. am I supposed to put set a inside of set b? can anyone explain it in more detail than what is already up?
I just finished sewing this bag tonight and am working on a cute flower embellishment to pin on. I made it a bit smaller to fit the fat quarter sized fabric that I had on hand and I L.O.V.E it! I see several more of these in my future for sure
Thanks SO much for a fabulous pattern and instructions xo
Love this tute, but I think I messed up on #3 I sewed all 4 fabrics together Set B & A togther and was not able to turn it out correctly. What am I doing wrong? So confused but I know that it must be a simple error that can be fixed.
Hello!! a question: the step 4.. you sew the curve int the center before turn right??. Thanx!
I made your beautiful bag last night and it turned out fabulous! I have plans to make more and was wondering if anyone has tried to enlarge the pattern? I noticed some commented that they made it smaller. Anyway, I’m going to try for a larger version and was wondering if you or anyone else has suggestions for how much bigger to print the pattern? Or if there are any pitfalls I should watch out for?
LOVE the BAG! Totally appreciate you sharing your knowledge and pattern.
Thanks again.
Hi Sara,
You can definitely print the pattern bigger, Yoshimi here has printed the bag at 110% to make it more proportional to her posture. I think anything larger than 150% will make the bag looks strange though.
You can also make the straps longer for other variation.
Glad that you like the bag!
I …. LOVE …. THIS …. BAG! Thank you for sharing the pattern and reminding me that my sewing machine can do more than hem pants. I made mine last night (with less than ($10 in fabric) and plan to make another. Thanks for the post about enlarging the pattern. I was going to try this, but, it’s good to know someone tested it out before me!
oh and thanks!
looks nice and the w ay you did it seems like its easy as abc.will be trying this out
How much fabric is needed to make the bag?
I bought 5/8 of a yard of each pattern. It was just enought to cut the pattern and have a little left over to make a matching tissue holder…very cool
Love this pattern. Thanks for sharing, made one for myself and have had so many comments. Then made some for friends. Great gift.
Thanks. Sarah
I just got my sewing machine for Christmas and I’m so glad I found your site! I haven’t sewed, like hardcore sewed in so long. So far I started easy with 6 Christmas stockings and a few cases for I devices.
Anyways, I’m a little nervous about making the bag. Lol I know it’s soooooo simple, it’s the reversible part that scares me. I just wanted to make sure, you sewed A&B seperately, and then to each other? Lol time to cut the fabric!
I did it!!
figured it out . THANK YOU!! I’m so glad I found your blog!!!
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx6fl49m4g1qglflfo1_500.jpg
http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx6fniEbNK1qglflfo1_500.jpg
I just love your fabulous tutorials. I’m laminating them and bringing them to my students!!
Thanx a 1.000000
Thanks for this fantastic free pattern. I was buying fabrics in a shop and the girl who owns it gave me the link after I saw the bag hanging there. Very satisfying.
http://pinterest.com/pin/34691859599255369/
Hi
Love your bag! Hope you don’t mind, I blogged and posted a link back to you 
http://the-craft-files.blogspot.com/2011/12/reversible-bag.html
This was a rgeat tutorial. Very easy to follow
LOL! Just made the bag. And made the very error you said not to make…I sewed the handles incorrectly. And I didn’t realize until I was top-stitching. So – my little girl has a new bag. And I learned from my mistake. That said – this is a cinch to make! I’m making 4 to give as gifts to all my nieces. Thanks!
Hi, I’ve just printed out the pattern for this bag and I’m planning on making it tomorrow. Just 1 question. The pattern has 2 sets of lines. Is the outter a cutting line and the inner the sewing line? Sorry for sounding so stupid but I haven’t got much fabric and I don’t want to mess up. Thanks in advance.
Hi Emma, yes you got it right. The outer line is the cutting lines. You don’t have to worry about the inner line, it is just for a guide so you can estimate the size of your bag. Just sew the bag with 5/8″ (1.5 cm) seam allowance.
Good luck!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I just made one for my 3 year old niece ! I can not wait to give it to her. I shrank the pattern to 75%. Perfect size!! and so cute. All the little girls i know are now gonna get one of these!
Thank you very much for the tutorial! I made it and i am very excited with it!!! I posted a link back to your site on my blog.
http://shorichitz.blogspot.com/2011/11/lucrez-cu-spor.html
I love this bag. I made it and it’s easy and so wearable.
I linked you in my blog, I hope you don’t mind.
http://licenciaparacoser.blogspot.com
Thank you!
Ana
Of course I don’t mind. Thank you Ana!
I just wanted to sincerely thank you for posting up this pattern. I just used it to make bags for two of my girlfriends for their birthdays and they were really impressed and really loved them. It’s a great pattern, so versatile and very easy to use and understand. Thanks!!!
Very cute bag. I made this and am posting a link back to your site on my blog. Auntiekarascraft.blogspot.com. Thanks.
Kara
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