Home Top Ad

Aerika Purse Bag Pattern & Tutorial

Aerika Purse Bag Pattern & Tutorial

When I designed the Aerika Purse sewing pattern, I made several different versions of this fun drawstring bag.  One of the bags I made was made out of the selvedge edges from some of the fabrics I had laying around in my sewing room.


Aerika Purse Bag Pattern & Tutorial

Recommended Fabrics:  Fabric A & B Decorator Cotton,  Fabric C Lightweight Cotton 

Other Supplies
- Basic Sewing Supplies
- Coordinating Thread
- Optional:  Plastic Canvas or Cardboard 

Cutting Instructions

To make the Selvage Edge Aerika Purse, cut the following pieces out of white cotton. Then
add selvage edges as follows:
- Front and Back Exterior Panels: Horizontal
- Bottom Panel: Vertical
- Front Pocket:  Horizontal


Optional Front Pocket:
Sew the front pocket piece to the front pocket lining piece along the 7-inch length.  Fold in
half (right sides together), matching the raw edges.  Stitch along sides, turn, press.  Attach
to mid-bottom of Exterior Front Panel. 

Sewing Instructions

Cut all fabric pieces

Line up main panel front to bottom panel, wrong sides together.  Sew at ½ inch.  {Make note of which way is up ↑ on your main fabric, as some fabrics have an obvious print direction} 

Open up.  Pin main back panel to other side of bottom panel.  Stitch again, same way as on the other side.  

You will now have one long panel with your bottom panel in the middle. 

Press the seams toward the bottom panel

Topstitch at ¼ inch {optional}

Fold in half, right sides together.   
Place Template A on each bottom corner.   Trace.

Cut the traced rectangle out of the fabric, making sure to get both layers.

Fold edge of sheath in ¼ inch and press. 

Repeat on other side, and do so on both sheaths.

Fold ends in about 1 inch and press. 

Pin one sheath onto the front panel, centered, 3 ½ inches from the top.  {Note:  it is about an inch in from the edge on each side} 

Stitch close to the edge {I like to use a zipper foot} of each side, creating a “sleeve” {keep the ends open}
 Do this on the back panel also.

Prepare handles bias-tape style as follows:
Fold handle in half, lengthwise.  Press. 


Open up, then press  edge to the middle on one side
And on the other.
Do so with both handles.

You’ve ended up with quadruple layers
Topstitch close to the edge on both sides.

On right side of front panel, mark mid-top.  
Pin each end of the handle on, 5 inches apart {2 ½ inches to each side of mid-top}

Baste in place.  Stitch back and forth for extra strength. 

Pin the sides of the bag together.
Sew sides at ½ inch {don’t sew the funky corners yet.} 

Now open up the bag at the side and fold the corners till you have a straight line.  Pin.  Sew at ½ inch.

Fold the interior pocket in half widthwise.  {It now measures 6 x9 inches} 


Pin.  Sew at ¼ inch leaving a 4 inch opening in the bottom.   
Trim the corners.

Turn.  Fold in the opening.  Press

Place patch pocket centered on front interior panel, 7 inches from the top.
Stitch sides and bottom close to the edge, to form a patch pocket. 


Place template B on both bottom corners of both front and back interior panels.   
Trace.  Cut out on lines 


Line up interior panels on top of each other, right sides together  

Sew side-seams and bottom at ½ inch {Don’t’ sew the funky corners…} Leave a 7 inch opening for turning. 

Open up the sides to  fold open the corners till they line up in a straight line.   
Pin, then sew at ½ inch.   


Insert interior bag into exterior bag, right sides together, lining up the seams.   Pin the top.  Sew at ½ inch.

Double-stitch where the handles attach for extra strength. 

Turn the bag
Hand-stitch the opening in the lining closed.

Press the top, then topstitch at ¼ inch.



Cut your cord into two 1 yard pieces.  {Putting a piece of tape over the ends keeps it from fraying.} 


Aerika Purse Bag Pattern & Tutorial

Using a safety pin, thread one cord through the sheaths.  Start on the left side, go all the way around, and come back out on the left side.  Tie a knot.  {You may now remove the tape…}
Repeat on other side.

Optional:

Cover a piece of cardboard or plastic canvas with some of your remnant fabric to place in
the bottom of the bag.  This will give the bag some extra shape.  

Out of your left-over fabric, a piece:  9 x 12 inches
Cut the plastic canvas/cardboard 3 ¾ x 10 ¾ inches.

Fold fabric in half  lengthwise.  It now measures 4 ½ x 12 inches.  Pin and sew side and bottom at ½ inch. Leave the top open for turning.   
Trim the corner.


Turn.  Insert plastic canvas/cardboard.
Fold opening in.

Stitch closed by hand.
Insert into bottom of the bag. 

All done!!!    
You may add a flower-pin of your choosing to the front if you’d like.
 Congrats, you made a fabulous Aerika bag!  Enjoy!!! 

Aerika Purse Bag Pattern & Tutorial

No comments