Paperbag Handbag Instructions

1.  Cut a piece of sturdy fabric 2 larger than a 5x7 hoop.  Embroidery the frame and Flapper Girl 
design in the center of this. 

2.  Measure 1 away from the outside edge of the design frame all around.  Mark this rectangle 
with a disappearing fabric marker.  Cut around this line.  Cut another piece of bag fabric the same 
size as the rectangle.  Now cut 2 more pieces the same size in lining fabric.  (Be bold!  Lining 
fabrics can be funky, that gives your bag more character!)

3.  If you are planning to use cord, leather strips, ribbon or fabric handles, prepare them now.  
Make 2 exactly alike in length.  Pin these on the right side of your handbag fabrics, evenly, on the 
top edge.  Pin right side of strap to right side of bag, selvages of both bag and handles even w/ 
each other.

4.  Pin a piece of lining fabric on each bag fabric side along the top edge, covering the handles.  
Sew 3/8 seam along this edge.  Open up the fabric and press the seam toward the lining side.  
On the right side, top stitch this seam down.  

5.  Place both sides of bag/linings together, lining up the seams on each side.  Pin.  Sew 3/8 
seam all around the bag/lining, leaving a space big enough for your hand in the bottom of the 
lining unsewn.  Clip the corners close to the seam.

6.  Press all seams open.  Do this by placing the bag/lining flat on your ironing board and press 
one side of the seam flat toward the bag.  Turn over and repeat.

7.  Grasp a corner of the bag (still wrong side out) and flatten it so that the bottom seam lies along 
the side seam.  You should have a little flat flap of a triangle at the very corner of the bag.  Place 
your ruler on this triangle, measuring up from the point about 1.  Mark a line across this triangle. 
Your line should just reach the edge of the outside border of the design on the front side of the 
bag.  Pin.  Repeat for the other three corners, making all the same in size.

8.  Sew across this line on all corners.  Fold up the corner flaps of the outside bag fabric toward 
the top of the bag along the outside seams.  Tack these corners to the seam allowances by hand.  
Trim the corners of the lining. 

9.  Turn the bag right side out.  Sew the opening in the lining closed.  Push the lining down into 
the bag and and press the top edge.  Top stitch this edge about 1/2 down all around the top of 
the bag.

10.  Press the bag, keeping in mind what a paper bag looks like.  Place the bag face down on the 
ironing board and crease along the edge of the outside rectangle of the design on one side.  
Press firmly; repeat for the other side.  Turn the bag right side up on the board and press a 
crease also in the back, making the spaces between the crease and the seam even on both sides 
of the seam.  Do this also for the bottom of the bag.

Now you can trim the top of your bag with whatever catches your fancy.  I used hotglue to apply 
bead trim and fur to mine, but you can stitch it on, if you wish.

If you did not want to use sewn-in handles, attach the handles before you trim the top of the bag.

You can make your bags with any designs you choose, and as large as you choose.  Remember, 
the larger the bag, the wider the sides should be, so when you form the corner triangles (# 7) 
make them larger so your bag will have wider sides.


