Each year, I sew new bags for my nieces and daughters for Christmas. Last year, with my Messenger Bag Tutorial, I started a tradition of designing a bag for them and sharing it in a tutorial here for all of you to use, too. I’m a little behind on Christmas sewing this year. (There was this wedding . . . and it took up just a tiny bit of my time . . . ) I wasn’t ready to give up on the bag or the tutorial, though, so I made some time for finishing up both over the last week.
The first two versions of this bag weren’t quite what I wanted, but I’m thrilled with this final version! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, too. This one is Samantha’s–as soon as she saw it, she begged for it to be hers. I’m so happy with the piping around the flap. It gives the bag a great finished look. If you’ve never worked with piping before (or if you have without great results) don’t fret–I’ve included my suggestions for perfect piping in the tutorial.
My nieces were here for the wedding, so I had the opportunity to have them visit my sewing studio and share with me their fabric preferences. My oldest niece, Tristen, asked for a bag made with her school colors: green and orange. I had my doubts about how those two colors would work together, but I love the result. I can’t wait to hear what her friends at school have to say about it!
Allie loves polka dots. She showed me a fabric in my stash that she really liked, but there wasn’t enough of it to work with for a bag. These polka dotted fabrics jumped out at me at the fabric store, though, and then I found the button that looks like it was made just for this bag. (The button is just decorative–there’s a magnetic snap under the flap.)
Finally, this is Kristen’s bag. When Kristen walked into my sewing studio, she saw this Michael Miller Dino Dudes and immediately said, “I want the dinosaurs!” I can honestly say that it never would have occurred to me to sew up a handbag with this fabric, but I think it might be my favorite of the bunch. Seriously? How often do you see someone walking around with a dinosaur purse? It’s definitely one of a kind!
I really like how each of the bags that I made this year showcase so much personality. Ready to sew up one or two in your favorite fabrics? You can find the pdf tutorial complete with pattern pieces right here: Joy-Nicole Bag Tutorial. If you use the tutorial, I’d love to see your bag!
Those are so cute! I love the piping.
Bonnie you did it again. Such a great looking bag. I will be doing that one..
Great Bags Bonnie! I think I might just have to try this one!
These are the cutest bags! I’m in the market for a new purse and I think I just found The One. 🙂 Did you buy the piping already fabric covered? I’ve only ever used it in home-dec projects, and covered it myself.
I loved the messenger bag last year and can’t wait to clean off the projects on my sewing table to make these 🙂
Morgan, I used the storebought, premade piping for these, but the DIY piping would work, too!
This is adorable. I printed out the tutorial but the link for the pattern pieces isn’t working for me. HELP!
I adore these! The orange and green one is fabulous!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful pattern. I need to make a bag for my daughter…and this might just do the trick! Best wishes.
The link for the pattern pieces has a couple of gaps in it, before each occurrence of “Joy”. This is the corrected link:
http://www.fishsticksandfries.com/Nicole-Joy%20Bag%20Tutorial/Nicole-Joy%20Bag%20Pattern%20Pieces.pdf
Love the bag, my granddaughters will love it, too. Thanks for sharing. :^)
One problem the link for the pattern pieces does not work. I reach an error page. :^(
Fixed the pattern link. I’m so sorry about that. The link name was too long, so it was putting a space in for some users. It should work perfectly now. Thanks so much!
I love it and can’t wait to make one or two or …….
Thanks for sharing. K
I love the bags! Thanks so much for your generosity! I too make bags for presents and last year my daughter got a dino-fabric bag.:) The fabric was not this gorgeous though as I got some Walmart fabric. I’m on the hunt for some of this fabric now. Happy New Year!
Great bags! THanks so much for the tutorial 🙂
adorable bags! I love the dinosaurs
I am very happy for see beautifull bags,I live in Brazil,and I would like to conect with you for learning(idont`kown if the real word).My Inglis is very horrible,but Itry to say what I want: Do you teach me make the fabolous bags?I hope so.Kisssss Angela Maria
i love your colours! while i love to sew, i’m quite hopeless at matching fabrics
Thank you for all the work and care you put into your tutorials! These are great and I really appreciate you sharing your efforts.
Wauw, looks great! I hope to make it someday (time time time …) Thx!
cannot find the pattern pieces. I would love to make this for my nieces.
Same here, Jackey. Cannot find those pieces anywhere.
Hi, Scorpie! My apologies that I answered Jackie via email and didn’t copy here. The link to the pattern pieces is in the PDF document that you’ll see linked in red at the bottom of the post. Here’s the direct link to the pattern pieces: http://www.fishsticksandfries.com/Nicole-Joy%20Bag%20Tutorial/Nicole-Joy%20Bag%20Pattern%20Pieces.pdf
Thanks so much for your quick reply. I had tried clicking on every link that I could find. Probably just me or my computer. Got some great fabric~now to get started on this bag.
Hi, again, Scorpie! I re-did the layout of the tutorial and combined the tutorial and pattern into one document that might be easier to access: http://www.hemmein.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/FD_Joy-NicoleBag.pdf
Love the bags! Thank you for the free tutorial! It looks easy to follow! : )
I’ve tried and tried. Can’t get anything to open. The bag is so cute. I really want to make a few.
Hi, Gaye! I am so sorry for all the difficulty! I just re-did the layout of the tutorial and pattern and combined them into one document. The new link is in the blog post, but I’ll put it here, too, for easy access: http://www.hemmein.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/FD_Joy-NicoleBag.pdf
Thank you SEW much! I can’t wait to make these!
Love the Joy bag…thank u for sharing
Thank you for the tutorial on the purse. Can’t wait to make one or more.
They are all cute bags! I’m going to try the pattern. Thank you!
Very cute bags!! Lucky nieces to be able to “shop” your stash for their very own one-of-a-kind creation. Very thankful for the pdf instruction sheet.
I made this purse today! I think Im gonna like it! How do I send you a Photo?
The last pattern piece, the one that says “inner bag… which line is the fold line?
Hi, Julia! When you tape page 10 to page 12, you’ll see the arrows pointing to the fold line. Let me know if you still have any questions!