Sewing: Owl Bag

This little owl bag is perfect for travelling as a make-up bag, carrying books, or even housing pottery tools! Meal prep Sunday time. I follow @leefromamerica on Instagram. She is a flat out inspiration. Two weeks ago I was inspired to revamp our fridge and jump on the meal prep train. Have you seen the pottery Bryce and I made? Check it out if you haven’t yet. Okay, back to this bright and cheery bag. I made it similar to the make-up bag I made back in 2015, but I did a bit more detail with it. I incorporated what I did with the clutch and added in some topstitching. Time to get started on this owl bag!

What You Need

2 pieces of fabric that measure:
7 inches by 14 inches for the outside top
2 inches by 14 inches for the outside middle
7 inches by 14 inches for the outside bottom
14 inches by 14 inches for the inside
1 piece of fabric that measures 6 inches by 5 inches for the pocket
2 pieces of fabric cut 3 inches by 4 inches for the zipper ends
1 piece of fabric that measures 4 inches by 7 inches for the pull
piece of ribbon that is 8 inches long.
14 inch zipper
matching thread
iron
ironing board
serger
machine

First, gather all of your fabric that’s been pre-washed and cut.

Then, it’s time for the pocket. I’m putting a little pocket with a tag on the inside. Serge all edges of your pocket to reinforce it. Then, turn each side inward and pin. Topstitch all around – all you’re doing is stitching the folded underpart to itself so it stays in place. After that, pin it in place on the right side of the inside fabric, add your label and topstitch all around except the top – the pocket opening.

Up next, use your serger to stitch the outside top to the outside middle. Then, stitch the the outside middle to the outside bottom. Double top stitch along those two seams. Press with a hot iron. Add the two zipper ends to the end of the zipper. The make-up bag tutorial explains that part well.

Zipper Time

Time to sandwich the zipper. Place the inside fabric right side up. Then, lay down the zipper, right side up, and match the top of the zipper with the top of the lining. Sandwich the zipper by placing the outside fabric, right side down, lining it up with the top of the zipper. The tab you made for the zipper ends, they will stick out. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of those later. Use your zipper foot and stitch. Then flip and do the same on the opposite side.

Once the zipper is on, open the zipper. Lay the two inside pieces right sides together and the two outside pieces right sides together. Press. Now serge along all 4 sides, yet leave a 4 inch opening on the two inside bottom pieces. This will allow you to turn the bag right side out. Using the zipper ends is key here, since you’ll serge through those and not your zipper. That’s why it’s important to clip off the excess zipper ends.

Now, before you turn the bag right side out, box off all 4 corners. I used a boxed corner of 4 inches. Press and turn right side out. Press again. Topstitch the opening on the inside fabric together.

Take your time – see how clean the zipper ends are and the boxed corners? Ensure you press your work and line it up well.

Finishing Touch

String your ribbon through the zipper. Fold the piece of fabric that measures 7×4 in half like a hot dog. Press. Now open and fold each side inward to the marked line. You piece will now measure 1 inch wide. Press. Open fully and press each end inward 1/2 and inch. Keep the end fold intact and fold back to 1 inch wide. Press again. Fold in half lengthwise and press. With the ribbon strung through the zipper put the ends inside the open short end of the zipper pull. Top stitch all around.