Tutorial: Adorable Owl Bag (with free sewing pattern)
Supplies Needed:
(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)
Step 1
Apply interfacing to the front and back pieces
Using an awl (or sharp, pointy tool) poke a hole in the belt about 1.5 inches in from the end (or at the edge of the belting inside so that the hole does NOT go through the belting). Make sure it is centered along the width belt.
Step 2
Finish the edges of the pupils
Finish the pupils with an overcast stitch to prevent fraying. You can also choose to use felt or a non-fraying stable knit fabric for the pupils instead, if you want to skip this step.
Step 3
sew the pupils to the center of the eyes
Step 4
sew the eyes
sandwich the pupil between a second eye piece and sew around the perimeter. leave a gap so you can turn in to the right side. Repeat for the second eye.
Step 5
turn the eyes to the right side
clip the curve and turn the eyes right-side out. Sew the gap closed and topstitch it you want to.
Step 6
sew the eyes to the front of the bag
using the front pattern as a guide, sew the eyes in place around the perimeter.
Step 7
fold over the straight edges of the owl chest
fold over the seam allowance (1/2″) of the two straight edges and baste them in place.
Step 8
sew the chest to the owl
Position the chest along the bottom of the bag, overlapping the eyes, then sew it in place.
Step 9
apply interfacing to the side bag
Step 10
sew the side bag to the front
with right sides together, sew the side bag to the front bag.
Step 11
sew the back bag to the side bag
Sew the back bag to the other side of the side bag.
Step 12
turn the bag to the right side.
Step 13
apply interfacing to one strap piece
Step 14
sew the two strap pieces together along the length
with right sides together, sew the strap pieces on the long sides.
Step 15
turn the strap to the right side
trim the seams and turn the strap to the right side.
Step 16
baste the strap to the sides of the owl bag
Step 17
Apply interfacing to one side of the flap
Step 18
add the magnet closure to the tip of the flap
following the instructions with your magnet closure, add it to the flap with the interfacing.
Step 19
fold over the curved edge of the beak
Fold the upper edge of the beak and baste it in place.
Step 20
sew the beak to the flap
Sew the beak to the tip of the flap that does not have the interfacing.
Step 21
sew the flap together
with right sides together, sew the flap.
Step 22
turn the flap to the right side
clip the corner and turn the flap to the right side. Topstitch if necessary to get a crisp edge. The beak should be on one side, with the magnet clasp on the other.
Step 23
baste the flap to the back of the bag
with right sides together, baste the flap face down on the back of the bag.
Step 24
finish the top edge with single fold bias tape
sew the bias tape around the upper perimeter of the bag
Step 25
fold the bias tape to the inside of the bag
press the bias tape to the inside of the bag and sew through all layers to encase the raw edges.
Step 26
add the magnet clasp to the bag
determine where the magnet should be on the front of the bag by testing it with the flap. Then add the other side of magnet.
Finished!
