Reversible bag
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.
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 (118654) ¦ Reversible bag - instructions (85143)
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Gosh it always makes me feel terrible when these craft bloggers’ stuff turns out perfectly and mine looks decent, but not NEARLY as nice as theirs! AHH I’m so jealous! I’ve got to keep practicing!
very nice work from you
very nice
[...] http://verypurpleperson.com/2010/04/making-reversible-bag/ [...]
Your stuff is amazing, your style is exquisite, your love of life is obvious! Thanks so much for sharing your talent and creativity. Very inspirational!
Heather…totally did most of what you said in your comments! Didn’t realize that the inside material was right side out in #3 either. Whoops. Also did the school girl error of having my main fabric upside down (it had birdies on it…) Other than those two things, very easy to follow. I’ll be able to crank one of these out much quicker (and correctly) next time.
Wonderful ideas! I will be using some of them!
Fantastic tutorial and bag! I made 3 of these this weekend and can’t wait to make more!!
Sometimes I think I am a good beginner seamstress than I attempted this tutorial and I think I suck! I plead the fifth on all my screw-ups, but I thought I could give a bit more detail to some of the instructions as to help the next fledgling seamstress. 1) If you download and print the pattern make sure you put the pattern with the words “cut on fold” onto the fold and DO NOT CUT the material there, but PUT THE DOTTED LINE ON THE FOLD & KEEP THE FOLD IN TACK. 2) Instruction “3”, make sure the inside material (B) is facing right side out. I know it says that in the instructions to put right sides together, but I am just reiterating it here to make it clearer. Plus, it is hard to tell in the picture because you cannot tell her “B” material inside from out. 3) Instruction “3”, when sewing around the straps DO NOT SEW ALL FOUR STRAPS TOGETHER. You should be sewing 4 sets of straps. “A” material to “B” material 4 times! Also then the “horseshoe” part of the purse will be sewn “A” material to “B” material two times. 4) Instruction “5”, when pulling through the strap, you will basically be pulling through the hole with “A” material on one side (like a banana peel) and “B-B-A” material on the other side (other side of the banana peel). Like I said I plead the fifth on my screw-ups, some of them I did and some of them I had to really think of what the instruction was saying or I would have screwed-up. Hope this helps anyone who was like me and kudos to all of you who got it the first time!
Thanks for posting this. It really helped me when I royally screwed up.
Hi, I bought some material to make this bag, but I have found that the material is a bit see through if I only used these to fabrics (One is a polka dot and the other is striped, but you can see the polka dots though the white on the striped side, if that makes sense). is there a way I can include a lining in between these 2 layers (so that its still reversable?) its such beautiful material and I really don’t want to waist it. Thanks
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern. It’s lovely and looks so easy. I need to make a new bag. Old ones getting very worn! Cant wait to cut it out & sew it up… and take it out with me! fiona x
It’s exatly what I try to find !
Thank you for this precious help.
Merci beaucoup !
From Bretagne in France,
Lydaine.
I am definatly going to try and make one of these but what type of material do you use for this size of bag. Quilting material has a great verirty of patterns but might be a little too light weight for this size of bag?
I just seen this pattern this morning it looks really simple to make thanks so much for posting it I think when I make it I will add the pockets and reverse the material putting opposite patterns on the reverse sides thanks again I know this is going to be fun to make for gifts as well as for myself it will be so handy to have
What a great bag tutorial and pattern! Can’t wait to sew one. Thank you.
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Oh, wow! I could totally make this
THANKS for the detailed instructions and pictures! I pinned this!
[...] look no further than this Reversible Bag Tutorial from VeryPurplePerson! I made this about a week ago and I think it is the perfect project for [...]
[...] med gode forklaringer på nett og denne siden har mange tutorial, blant annet en på “Reversibel bag“. Siden er på engelsk, men tutorialen er enkel og det er gode bilder av [...]
[...] http://verypurpleperson.com/2010/04/making-reversible-bag/ [...]
As soon as i saw this i knew i had to do it. I made it tonight and i love it. Its big enough to hold everything i need but not overly huge.
It was pretty easy to do. I used cotton for one side and canvas on the other. I had a but of trouble when turning right-side-out with the canvas ripping but it was easy to fix.
My new fave bag.
So excited, I’ve made my own reversible bag, horeeey…. Thanks for your pattern and tutorial, of course. The picture did tell me a lot. I never think about turning the inner side out through the straps, that’s way I need more times sewing a bag
Hi Novita, I loved your pattern, and made a super sized version of the bag – posted on my blog http://made-inhome.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/two-bags-in-one-sewing.html. Thanks for this free pattern!
I loved making one for a friend. They are so quick, I need to make more
http://wp.me/pK2DW-MH
[...] First, I attached the side seams of both the outer fabric and lining. Then the outer fabric and lining were attached at the neckline and armholes, leaving about 5 cm gap on top of the straps. The seam allowances were clipped and the dress was turned right side out. Then I sewed the shoulders and slipstitched the lining to the dress. Actually it is similar to the way I sew a reversible bag. [...]
[...] 1. Stitched Tote- diadu 2. Nature Explorer Bag- Chez Beeper Bebe 3. Reversible Tote- Very Purple Person [...]
Am sooooo excited to give this puppy a whirl!! It is just what I have been looking for…and free!! Thank you so much!!
I love this pattern although I’m new at this. The bold line is where I actually cut, or the thinner outer line? And in your pictures you didn’t cut where the dart triangle is shown, do I not cut there? Thank you!
Thank you soooo much for posting this great tutorial! I love the bag!!!
Thank you for taking the time to publish this -such great instructions and step by step images!!
hola, me encanto, pero no puedo ver los patrones, serias amable y mandarmelos por mail, gracias
Best Tutorial I have ever used! Great for beginners and easy to understand thank you so much!
I am only a very ‘beginner’ sewer!!! I found this pattern, got all excited and began cutting and sewing!!! But……I am at the stage of turning it in through the strap….. I have tried possibly 3 dozen times….to no avail!! 1 set of straps on each side are coming out fine, the other???? well, its seems twisted???? So if anyone can save my sanity and offer a suggestion to what I am doing wrong, it would be GREATLY appreciated!!
Thanks so much for the tutorial and pattern. I had found the Charlie bag but, never could get it to download for me. Love this!
I found this pattern Sunday and made the purse yesterday. It is adorable! I cannot wait to gift it.
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[...] Reversible Bag from [...]
Thank you for this lovely tutorial!
In step 3 it says: “Put set B in set A, right sides together”…
Am I supposed to just put set A inside of set B as they are? Or maybe I need to flip one of the sets and that put them together…?
Help please
Thanks!
[...] Making reversible bag | :: verypurpleperson ::) (Source: http://verypurpleperson.com/2010/04/making-reversible-bag.html) Posted in [...]
Thanks for this awesome tutorial!:))
I made my own reversible bag and I love it!:)
http://www.kepfeltoltes.hu/view/120626/IMG_0656_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
Dóri(15)
Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial!!!! I am so looking forward to making a bunch of these pretty totes for my sister and me
thanks again!
[...] pattern is from Very Purple Person Inside out, or right side out Reversible [...]
[...] machine & whip up a few bags with this pattern I found the other day from a wonderful blog verypurpleperson it’s a super simple pattern & tutorial that anyone could follow…I enjoyed it so [...]
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 !!!!
[...] A few months ago, I successfully followed & pattern & sewed my first item. It was a simple little reversible bag, & I think I did pretty well considering it was my first time. I think I printed the pattern out wrong [I don't think I did it at 100%] & I didn’t choose especially attractive fabric, but it was just practice, so all of that is okay. The good news is, I didn’t sew any handles together or something like that [though, I nearly did, haha]. I got the pattern here. [...]
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?