Tudor Bag

Today, I’m presenting the Tudor Bag, a ‘choose-your-own-sewing-adventure’ bag sewing pattern, available now in my pattern shop! I sometimes have a hard time writing a pattern for a confident beginner; I just want to put too many details into my designs. This time, I went for a boxy look. I felt like the absence of sewing curves makes this more pleasing for a beginner (plus it’s a really modern shape for a bag!).

So here is what makes this bag a choose-your-own-adventure:

Options:

• Front Handles (choose Front Handles, Shoulder Strap, or Both)
• Shoulder Strap
• Front Zipper Pocket
• Magnetic Snap Closure (please choose Magnetic Snap Closure or Top Zip Closure)
• Top Zip Closure

A note about the choices: If you are a beginning sewer, the Shoulder Strap, Front Zipper Pocket, and Top Zip Closure are the most detailed portions of this pattern, so you may consider leaving these off your bag (although I am all for stepping outside your comfort zone!). Do what you feel is best for you.

So at the very least, say that you opt for the magnetic snap closure and the front handles (the easiest options). You would still have an incredibly stylish bag!

Finished Size: 13-1/2” long x 12-1/2” tall x 5” deep

Supplies (supplies listed will make all options as given in the pattern, unless otherwise noted)

• 1 yard of Exterior Fabric (I like using quilting cotton or decorator-weight fabric; will need slightly less if not fussy-cutting)
• 1 yard of Lining Fabric (or 1-1/4 yard of directional fabric)
• 1-1/4 yard of Solid Fabric for the straps/accents
• 1/2 yard of By Annie’s Soft and Stable, available at local quilt shops or on-line
• (Soft and Stable is a 1/8” thick, foam sew-in interfacing; one of my testers also recommends automotive headliner fabric in place of the Soft and Stable; you can also substitute a needled fleece fusible interfacing for the Soft and Stable, such as Pellon #TP971F Thermolam Plus fusible interfacing)
• 3 yards of 20” wide Pellon SF-101 Shape Flex fusible woven interfacing (or medium-weight fusible interfacing)
• 14” x 5” piece of Pellon Peltex #71 fusible one-sided Interfacing (optional: for a sturdy bottom)
• 4 metal purse feet (optional)
• Two 1” metal d-rings (optional: for shoulder strap)
• Two 1” metal swivel clips (optional: for shoulder strap)
• 1” metal slider (optional: for shoulder strap)
• 9” or 10” regular zipper (optional: for front zippered pocket)
• Either a 14” regular zipper –OR– a 1/2” magnetic snap (for closure of the bag) – I highly recommend zip closure
• Optional: Basting Tape or Elmer’s glue/glue stick, for easy zipper installation

For my bag sample, I used Tula Pink ‘Elizabeth’ fabrics. The exterior fabric is called ’16th Century Selfie’, and the lining fabric is ‘Chain Mail’. For my handles and accents, I used Painter’s Canvas by Laura Gunn. The two colors in the Painter’s Canvas perfectly matched the red and the pink in the Elizabeth main print. For assembly of the bag, I used Aurifil 40wt. thread in a pale pink.

Here are views of the top recessed zipper and the inside of the bag. I opted to go with topstitched pockets on the inside, for ease of installation. One of my pattern testers used some Soft and Stable for her inner pockets, as she planned on using the pocket to put her laptop in.

I feel that each aspect of the bag is a skill-builder; from the zipper feet to the outer zipper pocket to the adjustable strap on the side, each technique is something that you will use over and over as you make more bags.

And to get a better idea of the scale of the bag, here are two action shots, one of me carrying the bag using the front handles, and another with the adjustable side strap.

Thank you once again to my pattern testers who have turned in some stellar work! I have very many favorites out of all of these bags, and I’m sure after you’ve had a change to look at them all, you will too!

Marti of 52 Quilts in 52 Weeks made this awesome version in Cotton Steel. She made her own shoulder strap pad too! She used webbing for the straps because she had some that matched her fabric perfectly. Wonderful finish, Marti, it’s gorgeous!

Shelley made her Tudor bag in a large-scale print from Ikea, paired with a denim in stone color. She added some beautiful extra hardware and zip pull, along with rivets on the handles, and this bag definitely doesn’t look handmade! So beautiful!

Christine of Stitch ALL the Things made this really unique and edgy bag in Alexander Henry fabric and of course propped it on her own motorcycle! She used black pleather with red stitching in Aurifil 40wt. thread to really bring all of the colors together. So cool!!

Krista made her bag using a floral and denim-colored solid, and she quilted the outside of the bag in a lattice quilting design, while also quilting the handles in vertical lines! This is a really awesome feature and every part, from the zipper pull to the adjustable strap, is a stand-out!

Pamela of Sovanisa made her bag out of a geometric print, and said that it will be replacing her boring black computer bag for work. As you can see, her laptop fits inside beautifully (for a longer laptop, an experienced bagmaker would be able to easily lengthen about 3 things to make this bag work – the main panels, bottom panel, and zipper panel – although this change is not mentioned in the pattern). You can read more about Pamela’s bag on her blog here!

Crystal made this amazing version in an Echino print! One of my favorites! It looks perfect and a total show-stopper!!

Jamie of Designs by Jamie made her Tudor Bag out of Tula Pink ‘Moonshine’ fabric, with black Grunge by Moda for the handles/accents. Jamie said that the bag took her about 6 hours total to make. Just gorgeous!

Melissa made bag in a tiny Liberty floral, with charcoal for the accents and handles. I love the bag with the metal zipper, too! Gorgeous and perfectly finished!

Maria of Beautiful Blooms made her bag in a large red chevron, with red pindots for the accents/handles. She used her daughter’s favorite fabric lately, and I have to say it definitely makes me feel festive! Love it!

Bree of My Crafty Crap made this awesome version using webbing for the handles/straps and pleather for the bottom accents. I think this one is for a Christmas gift, and that is one lucky recipient as this is perfectly made!

Vickie VanDyken made this bag in a dark floral with a pop of color with the orange solid and lining fabrics. Gorgeously turned out, and as you can see Vickie omitted the side strap. Perfectly pressed!

Allison of Allison Sews made her bag in this gorgeous watercolor floral, with a strong blue solid for the straps and accents. Allison braved the cold to model this photo outside, and I think it looks amazing! Great pairing of fabrics and perfect finish!

Rachel made this awesome bag in black-and-white chevron with a pop of color on the accents and handles. I think it’s an amazing bag, and Rachel’s fabric choices are really drawing me in to this one!

Fiona made her bag in this whimsical clock print, with black solid for the accents/straps/handles. For some reason this bag gives me a perfect winter feeling (perhaps staying up late and waiting for Santa). Beautiful work, Fiona!

Cyndi of The Nosy Pepper made this awesome version in Katarina Roccella ‘Indelible’. This is one of my favorite lines, and so I love this bag. The pop of turquoise solid is just the ticket, too!

Pam of Hip to Be a Square Podcast made her bag in Amy Butler fabrics. I love the little houndstooth that she used for the handles and accents! Everything works together so well!

Jessy of Auntie Matter made this awesome version in Star Wars fabrics. She opted to leave off the side strap. She said that her mom loved the bag so much that she asked for one for Christmas! Yay!

Emily made her bag with all of the features, and in a pretty multi-colored floral. Love this so much! The pattern only has one template to print and cut out, and Emily said, “I also wanted to mention that I liked cutting the fabric to measurements rather than pattern pieces. I felt my pieces were more accurate and easier to cut. So I think that is also beneficial to a beginner.”

Kristi of Schnitzel and Boo made her bag in soft pastel fabrics, leaving off the side strap option. I love the fabric choice on this one and feel like it’s a perfect winter bag. Wonderful work Kristi!

Liz of Moments… made her bag with a thicker linen for the outside, and red faux-leather. Just gorgeous, and I love the ‘Berlin’ placement on the front of the bag. Liz will actually be writing a guest post for my blog on working with leather, so watch for that soon!

Donna made her bag out of a minty floral fabric, and she quilted the fabric first before beginning to assemble her bag. I love the look that the quilting gives this one, wonderful work Donna!

Carrie of Carrie’s Things made this gorgeous black-and-white paisley version of the bag. I’m showing both the inside and the outside of her bag, so you can see the inside with the magnetic snap, if that is the option that you choose. Wonderful work Carrie!

Tracy from I’ve Got a Notion put together this clever mosaic of images of her bag. Tracy omitted the front handles and used some o-rings for her side strap. I love the texty fabric on the outside and the combination of bright florals on the inside! Just lovely!

Jessica made her version in a deep blue floral, with coral pink around the zipper and lining, which is really a beautiful accent fabric! Love her bag, and as you can see, she used all the available options for hers.

Natalie of Carry Hers by Natalie made this bright retro print back, and she did some lovely topstitching on her handles and the zipper placket on the front of the bag. The green fabric is vinyl. Perfect job, Natalie!

Sylvia made her bag in a black and white birdy floral, with a black and white crosshatch fabric for the lining. She said that her daughters have already selected fabrics for their versions! Sylvia is teaching a class for my Rockstar Bag soon in Australia, woohoo!

Mhairi made this beautiful bag in what I thought was a purple camo…until I looked closer and saw that is was animals! How clever! I love it, it’s beautiful with the strong purple solid!

Shannon of 2nd Story Sewing made her bag with vintage velvet and denim. I think it really gives this bag a timeless look, and it would certainly go with nearly every outfit! Beautiful work Shannon!

Madelyn made her bag in this great bird floral with a textured bottom accent and straps/handles. The bag is beautifully pressed and turned out, and the neutral colors are just beautiful!

Teresa made her bag in a bright floral, with paisley pink metallic fabric for the accents and handles. I love the extra hardware that Teresa added to the front, and as always it’s pressed to perfection! Great work Teresa!

Tami made this gorgeous bag in Anna Maria Horner fabrics. I love the large-scale butterfly prints across the front, and the purple accent fabrics on the handles really pop! Gorgeous!

Jackie made her Tudor Bag while at Camp Stitchalot last week, and she used Tula Pink Fox Field. She quilted her exterior fabric using diagonal straight-line stitching. Gorgeous bag, and the charcoal denim gives it an edgy look!

Thank you again to all of you, and congratulations on your amazing work!

If you liked these bags, I hope you’ll check out the Tudor Bag pattern in my shop!

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