Ronda Handbag Tutorial & Pattern

I love the Ronda Handbag so much!
When I carry it around it surprises me how super convenient it is!

I love the pockets on the side. So easy to get to! Even my husband can now find my keys!

The front and back are simple, but so fun when you use a specialty fabric with a fun print or so....
The sides have those handy dandy pockets right below a playful tie....
So adorable...

And inside: more pockets, even one with a zipper!

And the straps are long enough that you can go shopping hands-free! So convenient........
Just hang that purse over your shoulder, and walk around the store. No worries about keeping track of your cart and where your purse might be....
Love it....

The pattern includes detailed step-by-step instructions for an interior patch pocket & an interior zippered pocket. The point-by-point directions make them quite easy to make, but, of course, you may just omit the pockets altogether if you'd like.....

Here is your free Ronda Handbag pattern: Download File

Other

- Coordinating Thread
- 9 inch zipper (optional—for zippered pocket)
- 4-5 inch ribbon for zipper-pull (optional—for zippered pocket)
- Fray Check

*Three coordinating fabrics were used to make the Ronda Handbag in this example, but it
may also be made using two different fabrics or just one. Or try four or five! Whatever you
come up with will be wonderful, because it is your unique creation! The included
instructions describe the bag using three fabrics.

*The Ronda Handbag in the included instructions is made from heavier weight fabric:
upholstery fabric, canvas, and corduroy. These did not need additional interfacing, except
in some of the exterior panels. If you choose to use lightweight fabric, you may want to add
interfacing or fusible fleece to all the pieces to make your bag a bit sturdier.

Cutting Instructions

Front and Back Panels
- Exterior Front and Back Panels—Fabric A (cut 2) 9½ X 15½ inch—round the two
bottom corners using included rounded template
- Exterior Front and Back Panels Interfacing—Fusible Fleece (cut 2) 9 X 14 ½ inch—
round the two bottom corners using included rounded template
- Interior Front and Back Panels—Fabric C (cut 2) 9 X 15½ inch—round the two
bottom corners using included rounded template

Exterior Bottom Panel (includes part of the sides)
- Fabric B (cut 1) 5 X 24 inch
- Peltex (cut 1) 4 X 23 inch {*Note—the stiff Peltex can be a bit cumbersome to work
with. If you so desire you may use fusible fleece instead. I do like the way the stiffness
makes the bag hold its shape so nicely.}

Exterior Pockets
Fabric C (cut 2) 5 X 9 ½ inch—top of the pockets
Fabric C (cut 2) 5 X 5 ¾ inch—lining of the pockets

Ties
- Fabric B (cut 4) 5 X 11 inch—on one end of each tie cut away a triangle shape, using
the angular template provided

Handles
- Fabric A (cut 2) 2 ½ X 25 inch
- Fabric B (cut 2) 2 ½ X 25 inch
- Fusible Fleece (cut 2) 1 ½ x 25 inch

Interior Bottom (includes sides)
- Fabric A (cut 1) 5 X 31 inch

Interior Pockets
- Fabric A (cut 1) 11 X 12 inch—Patch Pocket
- Fabric A (cut 1) 10 X 12 inch—Zippered Pocket (optional)

Sewing Instructions

1. Using Manufacturers’ instructions, attach fusible fleece and Peltex
to the wrong side of corresponding fabric pieces.
{If you chose to use lightweight fabric, I recommend you add lining to all pieces.}

2. With right sides together fold all four Ties over lengthwise. Pin then stitch at ¼ inch along angled and long side.
Trim the corners. Turn. Topstitch 1/8 inch if so desired.

3. With right sides together pin Exterior Pocket Lining to Exterior Bottom Panel.
Sew in place using a ½ inch seam. Do so on both sides. Fold over (wrong sides
together) and topstitch at 3/8 inch.

4. Pin Exterior Pockets Lining to Exterior Pockets Top (right sides together)
Stitch at ½ inch. Baste the sides of the pockets in place so they won’t move around.

5. Place Exterior Bottom Panel (with attached pockets) right side up on the work area. Pin the Ties on, ¾ inch up from the edge of the pocket.
Baste in Place (1/4 inch). Do all four ties. Make sure the tips point down.

6. At this time it might be smart to pin the ties to the middle of the panel so as not to interfere with
further sewing.

7. If you would like to add embellishments to the front panel, do so now.

8. With right sides together pin Exterior Bottom Panel (with pockets attached) to Exterior Front
Panel. Clip Exterior Bottom Panel in the curved areas to make for a good fit.
{The easiest way to pin these two panels together is to find the mid-bottom on both, then pin those two together. Next line tops of panels together and pin. Proceed to pin the sides.}

Stitch in place using ½ inch seam. Repeat with Exterior Back Panel.

9. Fold your 11 X12 inch Patch Pocket in half, right sides together. (It now measures 11 X 6 inch)
Sew the edges at ¼ inch, leaving an opening for turning. Turn. Fold in the opening. Press.

10. Center Patch Pocket on Interior Front Panel, 2 ¼ inch down from the top.
{Put pin in top-center of Interior Front Panel, as well as in the top–center of Patch Pocket. Proceed to line these two up, then drop the pocket 2 ½ inches down.}
Pin in place. Sew around sides and bottom, close to the edge (using a zipperfoot, opt)

11. Add pocket dividers as follows: I like to use a disappearing ink marker to draw with, but you may use whatever pencil you prefer.
Draw the first vertical line 2 inches from the left edge. Draw the next line 4 inches from the right edge.
Stitch on lines, making sure to backstitch securely at the top.

{The zippered pocket—steps 12-21—is completely optional!!!
If you don’t have a zipper lying around, or if you don’t feel like sewing it in, JUST
SKIP IT!!! }

12. Place Zippered Pocket fabric wrong side up (10 inches being the width) Mark mid-top for
reference. Draw a horizontal rectangle that is 8 x ½ inch approximately 1inch from the top.

13. Mark mid-top of the Interior Back Panel. Place pocket on top of this back panel, right sides together, about 2 inches from the top. Pin in place.

14. Stitch using a tiny stitch-length, right on top of the lines you just drew.

15. Cut down the center. Stop at ½ inch from the ends. Then carefully cut to the corners,
using small scissors.
{The closer you cut to the corners, the nicer the pocket will lay…. No pressure….}

16. Turn the pocket through the hole. Press and shape till it looks nice and flat and smooth.

17. Flip the sides of the pocket over, so the little cut triangle shows.

18. Stitch across triangle.

19. Center the zipper under the rectangle. Use zipper-foot to stitch around it, using regular stitch
length.

20. On the wrong side, fold the pocket horizontally. Pin and stitch around open sides.

21. Attach ribbon for zipper-pull. Put a drop of fray-check at the end of the ribbon.

{Yay!!! Done with the zippered pocket!!!!}

22. Mark mid-bottom of Interior Front and Back Panels and Interior Bottom.

23. With right sides together pin Interior Bottom to Interior Front Panel. Line up centers and top edges first. Then pin the rest. Clip Interior Bottom Panel where curves go to make for a good fit.

24. Stitch in place using ½ inch seam.
Repeat with Interior Back Panel, but remember to leave a 7 inch opening for turning!!!!

25. With right sides together, pin one side of Handles Fabric A to Fabric B (one of
which has fusible fabric attached). Stitch, using ½ inch seam.

26. Fold Handles over, wrong sides together. By hand fold and press in the unfinished edges ½ inch. {I’m using corduroy in this sample, so I decided not to press that…. With most other fabrics that would be OK though!}

27. Pin in place. Topstitch along this folded edge about 1/8 inch. Also topstitch on the other side. Do so with both handles.

28. On right side of Exterior Front panel mark mid-top. Pin ends of handles to top edge of
front panel, 5 ½ inches apart (from the mid-top point, go 2 ¾ inch to the left, and 2 ¾ inch to the
right). Baste in place. Repeat on other side.