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DIY Vintage Hipster Bag

DIY Vintage Hipster Bag

Hello Friends!

I am Amy, stay-at-home-Mother of 4, Etsy shop owner, and blogger over at Anna’s Heirloom Boutique. One of my favorite things to do when the weather gets nicer is downtown window-shopping, especially when visiting a new city! Keeping hands free for ice cream or lattes…or both (ehem, I’ve got 2 hands) is essential. So, I designed the perfect walking around hipster bag, using my signature up-cycled vintage style. My DIY Vintage Hipster Bag! 

This hipster bag features a simple to sew fold-over design, with NO hardware.  It’s a great project for beginners! A sweet and simple tie and large back pocket keep items secure but still easily accessible. Also, an optional inside pocket helps keep things organized. Ready to make one? Let me show you how!

Here is what you’ll need

Materials:

• Main Fabric* (1/2 Yard)
• Lining Fabric (1/4 Yard)
• Interfacing (Med-Heavy)

*This fold-over hipster bag works best with non-directional fabric because part of it would end up upside-down. Alternatively, this design works perfectly for upcycling a vintage embroidered pillowcase (as seen here).

Make Your Pattern:

Don’t feel intimidated by the prospect of making your own pattern. This purse is literally just a set of different sized rectangles. Super easy!

• Main Piece: (17 in. High X 9 in. Wide)
  • Cut 2 – Main Fabric
  • Cut 2 – Lining Fabric
  • Cut 2 – Interfacing
• Pocket Piece: (8 in. High X 9 in. Wide)
  • Cut 1 – Main Fabric
  • Cut 1 – Lining Fabric
  • Cut 1 – Interfacing
  • Cut 2 – Lining Fabric (if making the optional inside pocket)
• Strap: (3 in. Wide X Length of Your Shoulder to Hip Measurement*)
  • Cut 2 – Main Fabric
• Ties: (14 in. High X 1 in. Wide)
  • Cut 2 – Main Fabric

*To get your shoulder to hip measurement: Start your measuring tape at your shoulder and bring it down and across to the opposite hip. For example: If you start at your right shoulder, you will measure down to your left hip.

TIP: Technically, you could just cut out your material using these measurements and skip the part about making pattern pieces if desired. Personally, I just find it easier. Plus, if you want to make multiples (like, one for every outfit!) having a pattern makes it that much quicker!

Prepare Your Fabric:

Apply the interfacing (using manufacturers instructions) to both main fabric pieces and back pocket piece.

Sewing the Bag:

(1/2 in. Seam allowance, unless otherwise stated)

Let’s start with the shoulder strap and ties:

Take your 2 shoulder strap pieces and pin them, right sides together, at one end. Stitch together.

Press your seam allowances open. Now, you have 1 long piece.

Fold your strap in half, length-wise, and press. Open it back up and fold the edges in toward the crease line (like making bias tape) and press. Now, fold it in half again along the original crease line to conceal the raw edges inside.

Edgestitch 1/8 in. along both edges.

Now, for the tie pieces. Fold one of the ends over ½ in., wrong sides together. Press.

Fold down the middle, just as you did for the strap. Press.

Open it up and fold the edges toward the middle. Again, just as you did for the strap. Press.

Edgestitch 1/8 in.

TIP: Try substituting the ties for ribbon or cording for a different look!

Your strap and ties are done and ready to go! Set them aside for now.

Sewing the Pockets

For the back pocket: Take main pocket piece and 1 lining pocket piece and pin them together at the top, right sides facing. Sew with ½ in. seam allowance.

For the inside pocket: Take the remaining 2 lining pocket pieces. Repeat steps from back pocket.

Go ahead and open them up, and press the seam allowance toward the front of the pocket.

TIP: This would be a good time to add embellishments to your back pocket, if desired. I decided to add some vintage lace to mine.

Now, fold the lining to the back of the pocket, wrong sides facing, and press the seam. Edgestitch 1/8 in. Repeat for inside pocket.

Pin your pocket to the bottom of the main, front piece (as seen in pic). Baste into place with ¼ in. seam allowance. Repeat for inside pocket, on your lining fabric.

If you want to make smaller sections in your pockets, simply sew one or 2 horizontal divider lines and tack at the top (for added strength). You can even make narrow ones for pens and pencils. Customize your pockets to fit your needs!

Attaching the Ties:

Find the 2 ties you made at the beginning. Pin 1 to the top-center of the main, front piece. Pin the other to the bottom center of the main, front piece. Baste ties into place with ¼ in. seam allowance.

TIP: To easily find the center without measuring, simply fold in half and pinch at the center.

Attaching the Shoulder Strap:

Measure up the sides of the main, front piece, 10 in. from the bottom, and mark with a pin or washable marker. Pin strap directly under your marks (be careful that there are no twists in your strap), and baste into place with ¼ in. seam allowance.

Assemble the Purse:

Take your main, back piece and pin it right sides together to the front piece. Sew around (leaving top open) with ½ in. seam allowance. Be sure to move your ties and strap out of the way.

Now, pin your lining pieces, right sides together. Stitch, as you did for the main pieces, but leave a 3-4 in. opening at the bottom for turning.

Clip the bottom corners of both the main and the lining. Turn the main piece right side out and insert inside the lining. They should be right sides facing.

Sew around the top with 1/2 in. seam allowance (but, don’t be silly and sew the purse shut).

Pull the purse right side out through the opening in the lining. Tuck in the seam allowance and sew the opening shut 1/8 in. from the edge.

Now, tuck the lining back into the bag. Edgestitch around the top of the purse to keep the lining in place.

And, you’re DONE!

Fold it. Tie it. Enjoy!

Cheers!