Hortensia handbag: Sewing Instructions

(Optional) Step 1: Face the main fabric

• If needed, Interface your main fabric pieces.

Step 2: Sew the front and back panels to the bottom

• With good sides together sew the front and back panels to the bottom panel.
• Press the seam allowances towards the bottom panel.
• On the outside Edgestitch the seam allowance to the bottom panel.

Step 3: Create and attach straps

• If needed, face your straps.
• Fold the straps in half lengthwise with good sides matching.
• Sew the raw edges together making sure to leave a gap for turning.
• Turn inside out.
• Slipstich the opening closed.
• Alternatively Edgestitch all the edges.
• Attach one strap to the front panel and one strap to the back panel by sewing a rectangle and a cross.

Step 4: The zipper

• Insert the zipper into the zipper panel making sure that the zipper pull is on the good side.

(Optional) Step 5: Construct tabs.

• Construct tabs the same as the straps just shorter.
• Baste the tabs good sides together to the short edges of the zipper panel so the tabs face inward.

Step 6: Attach the zipper panel

• With good sides together sew the zipper panel to the front and pack panels. We will now refer to this as the tube.

Step 7: Prep the side panels

• Press under the top seam allowance of the side panel reinforcement parts.
• Place the side panel reinforcement parts on top of the side panels matching the raw edges.
• Edgestitch the folded edge of the reinforcement parts to the side panels.
• Baste the raw edges together.

Step 8: Attach the side panels to the tube

• With good sides together sew the side panels to the tube matching notches to the bottom and zipper panel seams.
• If binding the edges rather than turning, sew with wrong sides together instead.
• If not binding the edges leave a gap in one of the sides for turning.
• Turn inside out and Slipstich the opening closed.
• If sewn wrong sides together bind the raw edges of the side panels.

Step 9: Lining

• With good sides together sew the front and back lining panels to the bottom lining panel.
• With good sides together attach the lining side panels.
• Press under the top seam allowances.
• Alternatively you can bind the top edges.
• Place the lining inside the bag wrong sides facing each other.
• Slipstitch or Whipstitch the lining to the zipper panel.

Step 10: Enjoy!

That’s it! You are all done! Now go enjoy you new bag!