Hortensia handbag
Designer Notes
This is a collaboration between Stoffsuchti and me. She designed the bag and needed someone to turn it into code for FreeSewing. I happily obliged, and this is the result.
Wouter
What You Need
To make Hortensia, you will need the following:
- Basic sewing supplies
- About 0.5 - 2 metres (0.6 - 2.2 yards) of a suitable fabric (see Fabric Options)
- About 0.5 - 2 metres (0.6 - 2.2 yards) of lining fabric (see Fabric Options)
- A zipper the length of the zipper panels and matching the coil width selected
- (Optional) About 1 - 2 metres (1.1 - 2.2 yards) of bias binding if you want to bind the side panel edges on the outside.
- (Optional) Bag strap webbing double the length of the strap part with seam allowance and similar width if you don’t wish to make your own straps
- (Optional) Interfacing if needed to strengthen fabric and/or for the strap
The amount of fabric you need depends on Hortensia’s size option. If you are uncertain of how much you need turn on paperless mode whilst viewing the pattern and add the bottom measures of Part 1 SidePanel, Part 2 FrontBackPanel and Part 3 BottomPanel to give yourself a rough estimate.
Fabric Options
The key fabric choices for Hortensia are non-stretch, durable and strong enough to hold items.
Your main fabric choice ultimately comes down to your personal style and what you wish to use your handbag for. Due to Hortensia having a size option it can also be enlarged and used for things such as a gym bag which does not need to be as fancy as an upmarket handbag. So you may just simply want to go with Cottons, Linens or have a little fun with Printed Cottons. If you want something more fancy you can try going for Brocades and other luxe fabrics. If you want something that will be very durable you can try Upholstery fabrics. You can also try Leather but this will be harder to sew especially if it is thick so only use it if you know what you are doing. Remember if you wish to use it all the time, favour practicality over design, as the goal should be to make it last rather than make it fancy. If you do not care about the look at all then this may be an opportunity to use up fabric from your stash that you otherwise would not such as that ugly fabric you can never find a use for.
If you find that the fabric you want to use is a bit too thin or flimsy you can interface the pieces to give then strength.
Lining Fabric
On the flipside the lining does not need to be as strong and simply needs to cover the raw seams and protect the outer fabric. If you want something fancy you can go for Silks and Satins but Cotton linings will do just as well. Bear in mind what you intend to store in the bag. If you intend to carry a lot you should go for something less prone to tearing, if you are only using it for knick-knacks and small personal items you can get away with fancier fabrics such as silks. The lining is also an opportunity to use up any fabrics in your stash that you don’t like or don’t have a use for as it will be hidden in the final product and only you will know/see.
Cutting Instructions
Materials
- Main fabric
- Cut 2 SidePanel parts
- Cut 2 FrontBackPanel parts
- Cut 1 BottomPanel
- Cut 2 SidePanelReinforcement parts
- Cut 2 Strap parts
- Cut 2 ZipperPanel parts
- Lining fabric
- Cut 2 SidePanel parts
- Cut 2 FrontBackPanel parts
- Cut 1 BottomPanel
- Cut 2 ZipperPanel parts