We need a sew along for Autumn Jubilee, and this year I was inspired by a sew day with friends. We were chatting about things to sew that everyone can use, so while they were here, I got out my graph paper and a pencil. I drew a quick sketch with dimensions, then an idea happened as it often does for something new and different. This handbag will have versatility, be unique in your choices of fabrics from your stash, and useful. Today we’ll get started, and then finish in two weeks.
For our excursions about town in the crisp cool days of fall, a cute handbag is fun. This pattern makes a nice size bag to carry the essentials, with four pockets on the outside to quickly grab the most used items. The larger pocket can handle today’s cell phones, while the smaller one in front can corral keys while keeping them from scratching the phone. So, here is what you need to get started. Choose at least three coordinating prints, one for the base and lining of the bag, a pretty accent, then a focus fabric for the smaller outer pocket.
Fabric Requirements
Base and lining fabric – 7/8 yard
Outer focus pocket fabric – fat quarter
Inner accent pocket fabric – fat quarter
Fusible batting – 1/3 yard
Handle webbing – 2-1/3 yards
Cutting Instructions
Base fabric – cut two pieces 14-1/2 inches wide by 24-1/2 inches high (pay attention to height if using directional fabric).
Outer pocket focus fabric – cut two pieces 6-1/2 x 13-inces
Inner pocket accent fabric – cut two pieces 6-1/2 x 17-inches
Fusible batting – cut two pieces 14-/12 x 12-1/2 inches
Webbing – cut piece in half to make two handles approximately 42 inches each
Optional – velcro in matching color to base, hook and loop sides about 5 inches each.
Fold base pieces in half meeting short sides together to get 14-1/2 x 12-1/2 piece. Press fold. Fold inner pocket pieces in half meeting short sides together to get 6-1/2 x 8-1/2 piece. Press fold. Fold outer pocket pieces in half meeting short sides together to get 6-1/2 x 6-1/2 piece. Press fold.
Open out base piece. On one short side, center the inner pocket accent folded piece at the edge, meeting raw edges, 4-inches in from a long side. This should center the piece with four inches on both sides to the long edge of the base. Layer outer pocket on top of the inner pocket piece. Pin and stay-stitch on sides only.
Using one of the handle webbing lengths, center the webbing over the raw edges of the pocket sides, and pin to the base going up to one inch below the pressed fold on the base.
Place a pin crosswise to show you where to stop, leaving the loop of the handle free.
Stitch from the bottom, up to the pin.
Pivot and stitch across the handle, then back down.
Repeat for the other side of the purse to get two units.
Sew to this point, and we’ll finish it next time. Here’s a pdf for your sewing room – Autumn About Town Purse Part 1.
Today’s giveaway is sponsored by Meredith Publishing of a prize package of current magazines and a tote bag. Visit All People Quilt and see the fall projects, Halloween fun and free patterns. Leave a comment on this post with your favorite of these ideas.
Then click on the Rafflecopter button below to enter the drawing!
To see my Evening Harvest pattern of pumpkin stars on a midnight blue sky, purchase a digital issue of the current fall issue of Quilts and More online, or find it on newstands and in stores until the end of the month.
This is my first ever pattern published in a magazine, and it is a perfect quilt for Autumn.
What project from All People Quilt would you like to sew?
From My Carolina Home 
I love my handmade bags. Sometimes people ask if I got them from one of those high-end stores…nope, made it myself.
I really like all the table runner and topper patterns, but I want to make the Autumn Splendor one.
I would love to sew Nature’s Canvas wallhanging. I really like the secondary pattern it creates (circles).
I am looking forward to making this bag! I love autumn, but not Halloween, so I’d like to make the Table Manners topper, the Spellbinding table runner, and the Hocus-Pocus table runner, but in different colorways.
I really like Maple Leaf Farm!
I love the Fall in Love kitchen towel with prairie points. It would be darling on my oven handle.
The purse looks like fun! I first checked out the quilting with orange section but nothing really caught my eye. But, in the easy fall table runners the Give Thanks table runner with leaf ring in the center was adorable.
I always enjoy visiting All People Quilt. My quilt guild even picked one of their patterns for our July project. I’m quite taken by churn dash patterns this year & will probably add one of them to my catalog. It’s nice how they offer patterns accessible to all quilters from beginners to more advanced. As soon as it hit the newsstand I grabbed my copy of Quilts & More to make sure I didn’t miss your Harvest pattern.
The modern maple leaf pillow is great to use up my autumn scraps !!!
I love the bag. It looks like a very fun project.
I am very much into sewing small items like table runners and mug rugs. I need more of these in holiday patterns and love what I found in the All People Quilt site.
This looks like a fun bag. I will be waiting for the next installment. I love the patchwork and applique table runner. The simple quilting really enhances the star shapes.
I am sew excited to make this bag. I love the fabrics you chose and will get busy going through my stash. Today would be a great day to go pick up a couple from my local quilt shop, as they are having a holiday sale.
The “I Love Halloween” eye spy quilt looks really cute at All People Quilt. Thanks for another
fabulous Autumn Jubilee and great bag tutorial.
Oh, No! you’ve just added to my Got To Do List! I love bags of all kinds. I better dig into my stash so I can sew along!!
I love the All People Quilt site. I follow them via email. Patterns I like: Pinwheels a& Pumpkin Seeds, Shades of Autumn, and Haunted House Table Topper.
Thanks for the fun bag!
I like the Pumpkin Picking quilt and Maple Leaf Farm!
My favorite is still Tumbling Leaves. It must have been because I made it as soon as I saw it many years ago. The wall hanging size and the colors fit into the home decor year round.
Connie
I love to see anything pumpkin related for fall decorating. Thanks!
The Apple Crisp quilt would be at the top of my list for next year’s Autumn sewing.
I’m always making bags for people – book bags, lunch bags, bags to hold my bags! This looks like a real winner – thanks, I’m picking fabric now.
Fall is such a wonderful time to sew and make new projects for ourselves and home! I love the Tumbling Leaves mini quilt…it would look awesome hanging in my entryway!
Fun pattern, Carole! I like the Pumpkin Picking, but also like those pumpkins atop the candlestick holders on the right side of the page!
my favorite fall quilt is Halloween Takes Flight,it doesn’t scream HALLOWEEN
Give Thanks table runner
My eye kept stopping at the rustling leaves quilt
I love your Tumbling Leaves.
Can’t wait to see that magazine!
Enjoy reading their “Sewing Hacks”. Always something new to learn or to remember something I forgot.
I like the little Posh Pumpkins as well as the Modern Maple Leaf Pillow. I think mine wouldn’t be modern fabrics though, I like deep burgundy, dark greens, rustic looking pillows.
Lovely Fall fabric you are using for your bag. Nice tutorial too! I love reading quilt magazines and would enjoy reading them with a cup of hot tea this Fall, should I be lucky enough to win. But I’m one of those that keep quilting magazines for years and pull them out and take on trips with me, as well as enjoy for years to come.
Thank you! Me too, love to use them for inspiration.
My favorite autumn project is the tea towel with prairie points. Looking forward to see what the completed purse looks like. Appreciate your Autumn Jubilee projects! Sending high energy your way!
Can’t wait to pick up a copy of Quilts and More to see your pattern–I have to hold a magazine in my hands, so will purchase the real copy. LOL Everyone needs a roomy but cute purse, and I’m on board! Love to make bags of all kinds; thank you Carole!
I would like to sew either Fall Favorites or Pumpkin Picking. Thank you.
I’m not quite sure about which project, though I like the pumpkin centers on those quilt blocks. The purse looks easy enough and handy for shopping.
lOVE the Changing Seasons quilt pattern!! Churn Dash is my Favorite quilt block right now 🙂
There was a nice pattern for a Winter in the Woods table runner. Deep, rich blues for winter!
Thank You for the chance to win this giveaway. the purse looks like a project that I could do.
Marion
I love the pumpkin pattern on the quilt. It turned out great.
Always happy to have a new purse pattern, thanks! Love the decorating pumpkins with sewing supplies on APQ
Great bag.
I love your Evening Harvest quilt, really like the blue in it!! From All People Quilts there were so many I really liked hard to choose but Spooky Shadows and Feels Like Fall are a couple of favorites! I love everything about Fall seeing all these quilts was so much fun!
Hi Carole, they have some cool table runners and the patterns are free on the magazine site. I get 2 of the magazines. I’m running out of room. I love reading them but don’t make to much from them.
The simple design of the Rustling Leaves quilt lets the subtle colors be the focus.
I like the Spellbinding Table Runner in the fall quilting projects. It s so colorful, and looks fairly quick!
I would like to make the Pumpkin Picking quilt. At this time of year I am really drawn to sewing pumpkins. I like your pumpkin pattern too, I am going to go get the magazine!
I’m wondering if I could make this bag with an already quilted panel that I have. I may have to give it a try – I really like your outer pockets and the handles! I looked at the Patterns for Oranges Quilts section on APQ, and love the Pinwheels and Pumpkin Seeds pattern.
Give it a try! Do share your results in our Facebook group.
I liked the “Sewing Spools” wall hanging–very cute!!
Autum gems for me. Love the fall colors.
The Great Pumpkin wall quilt is my “next project” choice. I love the style and the fact that it could likely be a weekend project. Thanks!
Decorating fabric pumpkins
All people quilt always has so many wonderful ideas.
I love the Modern Maple Pillow – under fast Fall projects! On my list to make for my sister!
My pick of the free patterns is the Hocus-Pocus Table Runner.
thanks,
Alexandria
I like the Fall Mix table topper pattern