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BAGS

Whether for a stroll around the city, your daily shopping, an evening party, a picnic in the country or a weekend trip, it’s always much more fun with the right bag - practical, and yet fashionable. However, it’s not always easy to find the right design - so why not just make your own favourite?

Choose the bag you like best from the many different shapes and sizes, and then there’s nothing to stop you from having a great time. Made in the fabric of your choice, a shopper, handbag, weekend bag, shoulder bag, clutch, casual pouch bag or bag with handles will be totally unique. And there are also various ideas for strong bags for children so they are well equipped for school or leisure activities.

The designs are all accompanied by excellent photos, a list of materials and detailed step-by-step instructions. There is a separate pattern sheet with all the necessary pattern pieces to copy and cut out, which makes it even easier to get creative. We promise you’ll find the bag love of your life!

Bags

Sew your own individual favourites!

Rabea Rauer and Yvonne Reidelbach

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Before you start

Using the pattern sheet

You may download all the pattern pieces that go with this e-book as PDF files using the following link:

www.naumann-goebel.com/bags

Further information about printing and using your sewing pattern may also be found on the above-mentioned page.

Place the cutting paper underneath the pattern piece, then slip a sheet of dressmaker’s tracing paper between the two, with the carbon side face down. Using a tracing wheel or a pencil, trace along all the pattern lines in the same colour, or the ones that correspond to your size. Next, transfer all the other markings – such as darts, fabric grain and fold lines. When copying the pattern pieces, make sure that the sheets of cutting paper are spaced in such a way that the individual pattern pieces are positioned separately on the paper without overlapping.

Cut out each pattern piece from the sheet of paper exactly along the outer lines you have drawn. Finally, make a note on the paper indicating which pattern piece it is and how many times it should be cut from the fabric. Where necessary, mark any edges to be aligned with the fabric fold. Repeat this procedure for all the pattern pieces.

What is …

a remnant? Any scrap of fabric measuring less than 15 cm × 15 cm is considered to be a remnant.

…level of difficulty? The level of difficulty ascribed to each pattern is indicated by small symbols. A single symbol indicates ’easy‘, signifying designs which are relatively easy to sew, even for beginners. Patterns accompanied by two symbols are of intermediate difficulty. Three symbols indicate a more complex and time-consuming design which should be attempted by more experienced sewing fans only.

an arrow → on the pattern sheet? Each pattern piece includes an arrow indicating the direction of the nap or grain of fabric.

Contents

Foreword

Using a sewing machine

Bags, shoppers and pouches

Cotton bag with carabiner

Casual pouch

Handy shopper

Big city shopper

Weekender

Bag with a snazzy handle

Patchwork bag

Bag with leather straps

Bags for any occasion

Elegant clutch

Sequinned bag

Great bags for any time

Toilet bag

Round cosmetics bag

Beach bag

Messenger bag

Laptop bag

Bags for children

Picnic bag

Rucksack

Gym bag

Pencil case

Neck pouch

Glossary

Foreword

Bags – you can’t really have enough of them, don’t you agree? But how often does it happen that you really want a new one, but just can’t find the right thing, or the one you really love is far too expensive? No need to despair – here is the perfect solution: get sewing!

Handbag, shopping bag, shoulder bag, beach bag, weekender for a trip or an evening bag – we ladies like to have the right companion for every occasion and situation. This book has them all! And so that budding bag-lovers don’t miss out, we’ve also come up with a few designs for children to use at school and at home.

Pattern pieces in the original sizes and precise step-by-step instructions will help to make sure that do-it-yourself is as easy as ABC. All you need to do now is choose your favourite design, find some fabric – and get started!

We hope you really enjoy your sewing endeavours – and, of course, using your favourite new bag(s)!

Rabea Rauer and Yvonne Reidelbach

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The sewing machine

To sew successfully you need a sewing machine that works well and selects many settings automatically. This is especially helpful for beginners with no experience to rely on, but also makes life considerably easier for advanced sewers.

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The basic requirements for a new sewing machine are that it should be very easy to handle and operate. Thanks to computer technology, it offers 225 sewing programmes, seven different buttonholes and a wide range of stitches, making it attractive even for those who only have a small budget available.

It is easy to select stitches using the selector buttons. Infinitely variable stitch width and length can be set – even while sewing – using sliders.

Modern sewing machines may also have an automatic threader, a quick-start spool and automatic tension adjustment – which are a great advantage for beginners.

The removable extension table, in which various accessories such as additional presser feet, bobbins etc. can be kept handy, makes it easy to manoeuvre items like sleeves and trouser legs under the foot.

Control elements and functions

1 LCD display, which displays and edits stitch details.

2 Multi-function buttons, used for instance to select the pattern, set the stitch width and length, confirm new settings and return to earlier settings.

3 Buttons for utility stitches, mirror images and twin needles.

4 Arrow and cursor options so you can move the display of pattern groups, single patterns and the cursor.

5 You can also select the pattern stitch with the direct selection buttons.

6 The handwheel enables you to sew individual stitches by hand.

7 Horizontal bobbin holder.

8 The thread is wound round the bottom bobbin.

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