Bags, Tutorials, Uncategorized

Free Bag Pattern: Arabesque Bag

Hello there and thanks for stopping by! Today, I have a surprise (hey, it was a surprise to me too) FREE bag sewing pattern. I haven’t written a bag pattern that I can share since my Bag of the Month Club pattern last month. I am always so freakishly obsessed with writing patterns with tons of detailing (flap pockets, panels, hardware, etc.), that I thought…why not write a fun and quick pattern that is also appropriate for a confident beginner? This pattern can be sewn up in about 3 hours and has only 1 pattern piece to print out.

Find the pattern by clicking here: PATTERN – Arabesque Bag

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I got some beautiful grosgrain ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons. The ribbons I used in my bags were all designed by Tula Pink and available at I Heart Tula Pink, as well as at your local quilt shop. These are the most intricate ribbons that I have ever seen, and the colors and detail on them are stunning. I used ribbons in three different widths: 1-1/2″, 7/8″, and 5/8″. It’s a really great and useful variety of sizes.

Fabrics used in the bags are also all by Tula Pink, and I used several different coordinating colors of Aurifil thread to topstitch the ribbons and make the bags. My yummy bright zippers were purchased at Zipit on Etsy.

As I mentioned, this is a beginner-friendly pattern. It has a top-zip closure, and two topstitched pockets on the inside of the bag. The bag is only front/back (no sides), so that’s why it goes together quickly and easily. There are bottom gussets, which give it a 4″ depth. Adding the ribbons is optional, but I do give direction in the pattern on how and when to attach them, in case you do want to use them in your bag.


Finished Size: 13” long x 10” tall x 4” deep
Supplies
1/2 yard of Exterior Fabric
1 yard of fabric for lining and straps
1-2/3 yards of 20” wide Pellon® SF-101 Shape Flex® fusible woven interfacing (or light-weight fusible interfacing)
1/2 yard of By Annie’s Soft and Stable™, available at local quilt shops or on-line
(Soft and Stable is a 1/8” thick, foam sew-in interfacing; one of my testers also recommends automotive headliner fabric in place of the Soft and Stable; you can also substitute a needled fleece fusible interfacing for the Soft and Stable, such as Pellon #TP971F Thermolam Plus fusible interfacing; Decovil can also be used)
14” regular zipper

Optional: Various grosgrain ribbons, each piece 18” long (I used Renaissance Ribbons in sizes 5/8” wide, 7/8” wide, and 1-1/2” wide); I also used two pieces of ribbon, each 30” long, for on top of the Straps

 I hope you like this bag! I am thinking of making another one tonight in patchwork. It would also be great in your favorite quilt block, as you can spend a long time on a really intricate block, and then quickly plow through the bag. 😉

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46 thoughts on “Free Bag Pattern: Arabesque Bag

  1. Melissa says:

    Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely pattern with us!!!

  2. Thank you for posting this! I bought your book and haven’t tried anything yet but love all the bags! Now I have another to sew. Thanks for remembering us beginners 🙂

  3. fern says:

    Awesome! 🙂

  4. CeLynn says:

    Sweet,I do so love your patterns! Thank you,thank you 🙂

  5. Thanks so much for sharing such a sweet bag! Can’t wait to give it a whirl…download worked perfectly! Also really enjoyed your spot on Creative Mojo last month!

  6. margaret says:

    this is a bag I cannot resist, thankyou Sara

  7. Anita says:

    Thanks for the free pattern!

  8. Tracey says:

    Thank you so much Sara, very generous of you and of course I love the fabric choices!

  9. Great looking bag! Your hard work and effort show in all your bags too 🙂 Cindy

  10. suemac says:

    Love the cute birds and the bees bag. Pink is definitely my color. Hopefully this bag will be simple enough for me to make. I can do zippers so I am halfway there.

  11. DeeAnn says:

    Thanks, Sara! The ladies in the beginning sewing class I teach have been asking me about making a bag, and I think this pattern will be perfect!

  12. Mar García says:

    Thanks for the pattern!

  13. Donna Baker says:

    Although not as much.detailing as your other patterns, this is nothing short of wonderful! Those ribbons and the one on the strap (hadn’t though of before) really makes the bag!!

  14. Tracy VT says:

    Great one for beginners, and everyone else! Those ribbons are fabulous! I will need to look out for them over here… oh, no….. don’t tell me I need to go to a few fabric stores…. I’m always prepared to take one for the team! Great design again, and thank you for the share Sara! Cheers.

  15. Jennifer says:

    Oh, love it! Thanks so very much.

  16. Thank you Sara. I just love your bag patterns!

  17. Beth says:

    Cute bags!!! love the ribbon.

  18. Phyllis says:

    Thank you for the cute bag pattern!

  19. Thanks Sara. This is a great looking bag!

  20. Indianna says:

    I love bags with zips … More secure…so thank you very much x

  21. Anne Weaver says:

    Cute bag!!! I’ve linked to your post over at Craft Gossip:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-arabesque-bag/2014/02/05/
    (link will go live in about an hour)
    –Anne

  22. Very sweet bags! Thank you!

  23. Great bags and gorgeous ribbon! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

  24. Katy Cameron says:

    I love those ribbons, but could never think of a reason to buy them before, perfect way to use them!

  25. Jen Beatty says:

    Thanks for sharing another great pattern w/us!

  26. Wow, thanks for the free bag pattern Sara. I’m a certified newbie when it comes to sewing and this inspires me to learn more.

  27. DamnImCuteTV says:

    These bags are sew beautiful. Far and above “off the rack” bags I’ve seen at retail stores, even the high end ones. The photos are like eye candy. I bet the actual bags look even better!
    -C …Check out this cute and adorable baby. Please share if the little guy makes you smile…
    http://www.youtube.com/DamnImCuteTV

  28. harleywife57 says:

    wonderful bag ! thanks for sharing a free tutorial !

  29. Helen Webb says:

    I could not get the pdf pattern to come up. Could you please email it to me at [email protected]. I would love to make one for my daughter. Thank you so much.

    Sincerely, Helen Webb

  30. Lemulifa says:

    so, so, soooooo lovely! thank’s for sharing, showing…:)) warm regards LEMULIFA

  31. I made the Vera Bradly bag for the first time, the directions were excellent, I had no trouble following them at all. Thank you very much. I will make another one with a little more embellishment on it. Claire

  32. Pearl says:

    What a great bag! Can’t wait to put one (or a few) together….

  33. ann jones says:

    i am so in to making bags. I so love every one

  34. Thank you so much for the cute pattern!

    1. Joan says:

      Isn’t it cute? Sara I must say you are very talented.

  35. Estela says:

    I saw this bag on Flickr done in Parson Gray fabric and ribbons, very cute. Thanks for the free pattern!

  36. nancy says:

    These look better than store bought! You are an excellent seamstress, I admire your talent, Wish I could sew a straight seam like you! 🙂

  37. Donna says:

    Thank you for sharing this pattern. I’ve made four already and plan to make more. They’re addicting!

  38. Miss Liz says:

    Just finished your bag and it was so fun to make. Turned out really cute, quilted it using strips and really like the effect. Your instructions were really easy to follow. Thanks so mucf for sharing the pattern.

  39. Penny says:

    Very complete instructions.

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