Make Your Own Party Bag
Party season is here, and what better way to complement your handmade outfit, than a handmade bag!
In today’s blog post, we’re looking at popular bag styles for A/W 24/25 and what sewing patterns and fabrics you can use to replicate the trending styles.
First up is a classic shoulder bag from & other stories. I think the Miss Freckles Design No. 2 Shoulder Bag is a great pattern to make a similar bag ready to take partying.
In terms of fabric choices, you could keep it classic and use one of our faux leather fabrics, or you could match the fabric to an outfit you’ve made perhaps.
Some recommended items you can find in our shop are:
This faux leather is very easy to sew with a regular machine foot.
Santiago faux leather has a woven backing for stability and is a popular fabric with a wide range of uses.
We think it would look great as a contrast fabric for many of the bag patterns we stock.
Step into a winter wonderland with 'Christmas in the Cabin' by AGF Studio. This retro collection channels the 1940s, evoking a nostalgic, cozy holiday spirit that'll fill your creations with wintery cheer.
Twinkling Skies Pine features white, green and blue simple stars against a pine coloured background.
This range coordinates well with Ruby, Morning Frost and Peacock Pure Solids, which you can find along with the rest of the PS range here.
Legacy L-971 Extra Loft Fusible Fleece is an extra lofty, needled fleece with fusible adhesive on one side.
It is great for craft, home decorating and quilting projects. Extra Loft Fusible Fleece will remain lofty after fusing and can be used on fabric, cardboard or wood.
This no.5 nylon coil continuous zipper tape adds a touch of style to your handmade bag project.
This zipper tape has black tape with gold nylon coil teeth.
Pair this with fun over night bags, day bags, going out bags,…your creativity is the limit.
Next up, what about a cute envelope clutch?
There are a few envelope style clutches in the shops at the moment, and this PDF download from Noodlehead is a great option to create a dupe.
The pattern comes with a flattened or pointed flap option too.
What’s in the shop currently that you might need to make your very own version of this bag?
This faux leather is very easy to sew with a regular machine foot.
Santiago faux leather has a woven backing for stability and is a popular fabric with a wide range of uses.
We think it would look great as a contrast fabric for many of the bag patterns we stock.
Step into a winter wonderland with 'Christmas in the Cabin' by AGF Studio. This retro collection channels the 1940s, evoking a nostalgic, cozy holiday spirit that'll fill your creations with wintery cheer.
Festive Twinkle features colourful retro inspired Christmas lights against a cream background.
This range coordinates well with Ruby, Morning Frost and Peacock Pure Solids, which you can find along with the rest of the PS range here.
These swivel clasps, sometimes also called lobster clasps come in various sizes and colours to suit your preferences.
They might be used to attach a strap, or as a secure bag closure.
D-rings are a useful piece of bag hardware, used for belt style closures, attachment points for straps and handles, and other places where you want the flexibility of a curved edge whilst anchoring solidly at the other side.
We sell d-rings in various sizes and colours, to suit your project. This lisiting is for Antique Brass hardware.
Next up, a beautiful drapey pouch style bag, that has so many personalisation options. The inspiration comes from the Glomesh ‘Renee’ bag, and I think the By Hand London Marianne bag is perfect for this. All you’d need to do is add a front flap and you’re good to go!
Did you know we stock hardware packs for this bag pattern too, so you can find all the hardware and matching bag chain in one place. We have a couple of colour options available.
So, what have we got in the shop to help you make the perfect party bag?
Part of our core range, this mid weight cotton canvas is perfect for all types of bag making.
Plain colours leave you to add the creative flourish to make your bag truly unique.
Step into a winter wonderland with 'Christmas in the Cabin' by AGF Studio. This retro collection channels the 1940s, evoking a nostalgic, cozy holiday spirit that'll fill your creations with wintery cheer.
Twinkling Skies Sugar features colourful simple stars against a cream background.
This range coordinates well with Ruby, Morning Frost and Peacock Pure Solids, which you can find along with the rest of the PS range here.
This kit includes all the hardware you need to make a By Hand London Marianne Bag
The hardware kit includes:
1 x bag handle chain
1 x 20mm o-ring
2 x 12mm o-ring
This chunky pastel coloured easy clip bag chain includes rose gold coloured push gate rigns for easy attachment to your favourite handmade bag.
The chain is approximately 37cm long (14 1/2 inches)
Another popular bag style at the moment is the heart shaped shoulder bags. This one from Laura Citron is a whole lot of fun, and K.Azcona Designs has the perfect pattern for you to make your very own version - the Heartbreaker Bag.
This pattern doubles as a backpack if that’s more your style.
In the shop at the moment, you might be interested in:
This is a Cloud9 solid cotton canvas.
It is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The solid colour works well alongside many other solids or patterned canvas.
Shine bright like a festive diamond in this fabric!
Featuring a contemporary, geometric diamond design that is made up diamonds on gold strings that are detailed with spots, stars and snowflakes of ditsy, gold. This design comes in bottle green, navy and purple colourways.
We have 3 colourways available - purple, green and blue.
Vlieseline S520 is a firm fusible interlining used in bag making, baskets, belts and other creative handicrafts.
This is great for bag bases where you want more stability, and can often be used in place of Peltex.
Note: S520 is 30cm wide, so keep this in mind when purchasing.
The rainbow coloured metal #5 zip pulls will work with our continuous zipper tape.
Next up lets take a look at a more simple design. This embellished pouch from & other stories immediately made me think of Motif Studios Japenese Knot Bag. & other stories have made theirs from a satin for a lux finish, but you could make yours out af any fabric you like.
This is a great pattern for beginner bag makers, and will give you a really polished look too.
To pair with this pattern, how about:
AGF Studio Pure Solids are made using 100% premium cotton and environmentally safe dyes, making them a great choice for your next sewing project.
We have a growing range of colours available, to match your projects. If you’re looking for a particular colour which we don’t currently stock please let us know.
AGF Studio Pure Solids are made using 100% premium cotton and environmentally safe dyes, making them a great choice for your next sewing project.
We have a growing range of colours available, to match your projects. If you’re looking for a particular colour which we don’t currently stock please let us know.
Nocturne is a beautiful range of fabric from Fableism Supply Co.
This set of fabrics come in dark and moody hues, and blend well with the Everday Chambray range too.
This wonderfully soft fabric is 60% cotton and 40 % bamboo.
Nocturne is a beautiful range of fabric from Fableism Supply Co.
This set of fabrics come in dark and moody hues, and blend well with the Everday Chambray range too.
This wonderfully soft fabric is 60% cotton and 40 % bamboo.
Moving on to another shoulder bag design which I’ve seen around a lot recently.
This patent leather bag from Any Old Iron is simple, yet works for your party outfit!
How about the Noodlehead Traverse pattern to make your own version. The flap on the front of the Traverse is optional.
Find all you need for this project in the shop:
This cross body pattern comes in two sizes.
It features various pockets, including an external flap pocket, zip close top main compartment and internal slip pocket.
Finished Dimensions: 12in W x 9in H x 2in deep - Regular (10in W x 7.5in tall - Mini)
This is a great intermediate, or adventurous advanced beginner pattern.
This Cloud9 Fabrics cotton canvas is from the Easy Weekend range.
This is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The black background with moons and clouds create a stunning summer night image, and work beautifully with other fabrics from the range.
Versatile woven fusuble interlining for bags, shirts, blouses.
For use with lightweight to mediumweight fabrics.
The last style I’ve looked at today is a fun take on a 90s style from Anthropologie. This shoulder bag style includes an extra bit of party styling with ruffles around the outer seams. The Gabrielle Bag from Miss Freckles Design would be perfect for this, and you could create the ruffles by cutting two strips of fabric double the length of the gusset and gathering them in to the seam.
Inspiration in the shop:
This is a Cloud9 solid cotton canvas.
It is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The solid colour works well alongside many other solids or patterned canvas.
This 38mm wide cotton webbing is ideal for backpacks, duffel bags, and more.
It’s perfect for durable bag handles, and to add support to large bags.
This on trend silver leopard print design is sure to add the wow factor to yur handmade bags.
Decovil I is a fusible non-woven with leather-like handle.
Decovil I is ideal for adding substantial structure, for example to the base of a bag, and can be fused to fabric using an iron.
The silver #5 zip pulls will work with our continuous zipper tape.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this dive into bag patterns, fabrics and ideas ready to get started with making your own party bags.
I’d love to see the fabulous bags you make for party season this year, so don’t forget to tag me on socials or send me an email.
