Corduroy and Leather: Minimalist Round Handbag
In the past two months, I have been wholly obsessed with corduroy. How obsessed, you ask? Well, I am currently working on my third corduroy project (second garment), and I have two more planned. I recently made a pair of corduroy shorts using McCall's 6930. I loved the shorts so much that I decided to make a skirt from the same fabric, which brings me to today's project discussion. I thought a small, simple matching bag would take my outfit to the next level. I recently received a circle rotary cutter from Olfa for testing, so I thought this project would be the perfect opportunity to use the circle cutter. The circle rotary cutter cut through the corduroy with no problems, but I also tested it on leather and vinyl and had a smooth cut each time. Olfa has a helpful video here, and I recommend watching it before you start cutting. You can do this without a circle rotary cutter, but the circle rotary cutter makes the task easier. If you opt to use another tool, I highly recommend using a rotary cutter size 18 mm or 28 mm for smooth curve edge cuts.
I settled on a design that didn't take much time to execute and got to work, and I have to say it will be perfect for weekend brunch and movie dates. Bags are one of my favorite things to sew, and this project is fun and straightforward.
Materials
Corduroy
Double Fold Bias Tape
Leather
1/4 inch eyelets
3/16 Cotton Cord
Olfa Creates Circle Cutter
Rotary Cutter
Invisible Magnetic Snap
Fusible Webbing
Instructions
1. Cut two 8-3/4 circles out of the corduroy fabric (I will refer to this as the main bag piece).
2. Cut one leather rectangle 20" x 2" ( I will refer to this as the side panel).
3. Cut (2) 1-1/2 " x 1-1/2 " squares and (1) 2-1/2 " x 6 " rectangle from corduroy.
4. To create the top of the bag (straight edge), remove 1-1/2 " of the circle from both circle pieces.
5. Sew bias tape to the raw edge of both main bag pieces.
6. Fuse webbing to the wrong side of 1-1/2" squares. Take one main bag piece and place a magnetic snap on the wrong side of the fabric, 1-3/4 " from the top. Fuse in place using the small square with webbing. (optional: stitch around the snap for additional security).
7. 2-1/2 " x 6 " rectangle will be your bag flap. Fold the rectangle in half, right sides facing, length-wise. Using a 1/4 " seam allowance, start at the center crease stitch bottom of strap and side of the strap. Leave top open to turn the strap right side out.
8. Place magnetic snap one inch below seam line and fuse in place using a small rectangle.
9. Clip corners and turn the rectangle out — finish flap by folding the open end in 1/4 " and topstitching 1/8 " around the entire flap. The end of the flap with the magnetic snap is the top of the flap.
10. The flap will be stitched on the circle piece without the magnetic snap. Center the flap and place the bottom edge of flap 1-1/4 " from the top edge of the circle piece. Sew the flap to the circle piece by stitching a rectangle.
11. Now it's time to assemble the bag. Pin (I recommend you use quilt binding clips or binder clips) the side panel around the edge of one main bag piece wrong sides facing, and sew the side panel to the main bag piece using a 1/8 " seam allowance. Do the same for the other side of the side panel using the second main bag piece. (Tip: Do not backstitch at the beginning and end. Make sure thread strings are long enough to be threaded on a hand needle and secure the beginning and the end of the stitch line by hand).
12. Now that your bag is sewn, the only thing that is left is adding the bag strap. Following manufacturers directions, put in an eyelet, on each side of the side panel 1/4" from the top edge.
13. Cut the 3/16 " cotton cord to your desired strap length. Place cord through eyelet and tie knots on each end. Knots should be on the inside of the bag. (Tip: If you want the strap length to be adjustable tie a slip knot on one end of the strap)
