Two Colour Silk Bag

The first bag measures 15" X 13", is silk on both sides in different colours so is reversible, has a pocket on one side and padded handles.  It is an easy bag to make. It is based on Simplicity pattern number 2357.

It is elasticated at the top and has a wide opening, making it ideal for keeping craft work or knitting or for carrying something such as pretty shoes to an evening event.

It can be made smaller and tighter at the top by adding some kind of embellishment to close up the side openings, for example embroidery stitches, buttons, or beads.  See the pin placement in the photo.

Doing this would give the bag a different range of uses including using it as an evening or going to a party bag.

  Making the bag: Half inch seams are used throughout. There are only three pattern pieces but the main piece is cut 4 times, 2 of each colour, there is one pocket cut in 2 colours of silk.  The 2 straps are just one colour.

Sew the pocket first.  With right sides together stitch the 2 pocket pieces together across the top and around the sides but leaving a 1" opening at each side for a casing between the large dot and lower stitching line.  Leave an opening at the bottom for turning.

Clip curves and turn to right side.  Tuck in raw edges at gaps and press the pocket. To form casing stitch along stitching lines 1" apart. Pull a 4" length of half inch elastic through the casing with a safety pin and capture the two ends 1" away from the edges with pins.  Stitch on this position catching in the elastic.

Pin the pocket to the front of the bag and stitch close to the side and lower edges which also closes the turning gap at the bottom.  I used an applique machine stitch on mine.

With right sides together pin front and back sections of same colour together matching large dots and notch at the bottom.  Stitch side and lower edges together between large dots, backstitch at large dots.  Trim seam and clip curves. Turn bag and press.

Sew the second colour front and back contrast lining pieces together in the same way but leave an opening at the bottom for turning.

Now with the right sides together pin and then sew the bag and contrast lining together at the side and upper edges reinforcing stitching at the large dots and leaving an opening for casing at each side - this is indicated by the small dots and stitching line on the pattern.

Trim corners and clip curves.

Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the silk lining contrast.  Press and slipstitch the opening closed.

Push the contrast lining inside the bag and press again.

Create a casing at the upper edges by stitching along the stitching lines.  Cut 2 pieces of elastic 8"mlong.  Insert into the casings having ends extend by 1" beyond the edge of the casing.  Pin ends of elastic in place 1" from the opening of the casing.

Make the handles:  Fold handles in half lengthways with right sides together.  Stitch, trim, turn and stuff with fibrefill or quilters wool.

Here you see 8 strands of quilters wool which just padded out the handles sufficiently.  Toy stuffing or similar works just as well.

Leave the  ends of the handles unstuffed and pin closed.

Overlap ends of handle and elastic 1/2" and stitch ends together securely.  Encourage the join to go inside the casing and stitch it in place.



pocket could be inside the bag if preferred
handles could be same colour as outer bag


 

The second smaller bag will follow shortly.