Beetlejuice Handbag by Swoon Patterns
Coffee and sewing just go together!
Beetlejuice…Beetlejuice…Beetleju……Ha, I’m not saying it!
Do you ever feel like you need a bigger bag? All of your life doesn’t quite fit into your current bag, and it’d be nice to have a larger one, right? I sewed a big bag using Swoon Patterns “Annette Tote” sewing pattern. And, OMGSH! I am not joking when I say it’s a bigger bag. The bag is huge! I’ve made many Swoon patterns, and this one was no different. It’s well thought out, every pattern piece matches up, and the result is very professional-looking, as always.
I had some bright green Beetlejuice fabric and knew I wanted it for this bag. I also had black vinyl in my stash so, this was going to be a perfect bag for the spooky season. And, bonus, the new Beetlejuice movie came out around the same time I finished my bag. Yay!
If you’re new to bag-making, it can be a little intimidating. The most important thing is buying good quality interfacings and vinyl. Don’t skimp on these things. And, press, press, press.
Bonus, the pattern is my name, so you knew I was going to make a few of these, right?
Supply List:
By Annie’s soft n stable (there are other brands, but this is THE best) Also, available on Amazon
Sewing machine
Wonder Clips. Pins are nice, but clips are my go-to for bag-making, especially if you use vinyl or leather
Fabric for the outside (roughly1.5 yards)
Lining fabric (1.5 yards)
2 Zippers- 1 for interior pocket, 1 for bag
Interfacings
Rotary cutter and mat
Double-sided tape, I like Tandy leather
Chalk marker
Rulers
Iron and board
Marine Vinyl for handles and outside pockets, don’t skimp on this.
Purse feet (optional)
Metal hardware for handles
Matching thread
Printer, paper, and tape
I might have forgotten a thing or two, I’m going off memory here. There’s a whole list of what you’ll need in the pattern instructions. The fabric amount is probably wrong as well, make sure to check the pattern.
Annette Satchel first steps.
Interface everything!
After you’ve printed the PDF pattern, cut, and taped everything together, it’s time to start the bag.
Trace your pieces onto the fabric. Cut all the extra pieces there aren’t actual pattern pieces for.
Interface everything! You have to sew the foam to the interfaced fabric main pieces. A serger is nice for this, or use the zigzag stitch on your machine.
Cut out the vinyl handle pieces and place them onto the purse front and back. This is easy to do by folding the purse front in half and marking the CF. Use your ruler and chalk to mark placement spots for the handles. Use your double-sided tape to attach the handle in place.
Sew the handle connectors on.
Clip the 2 pieces of the side pockets together, matching placement points. This will feel funny, but it creates a nice big pocket. This pocket will fit a few cell phones, a small water bottle, a stuffed puppy, or a pair of flip-flops.
My Beetlejuice bag is coming along nicely.
Create the interior pocket. Leave a large gap in the bottom, this is how you will turn the bag right side out after it’s completed.
Purse feet are nice to have but not necessary.
You will sew the bottom base to the front and back of the bag. Topstitch. Below is what the outer will look like.
Now it’s time for the interior of the bag. I had some fun stripe fabric left over from a Halloween quilt I made last year. I didn’t have enough for the whole interior, but I made it work. Making bags is fun because you can use scraps for inside pockets and other small areas.
The intereior of the bag. Stripe fabric for the sides and Beetlejuice fabric on the bottom base.
Now the bag starts coming together.
Take the bag's main piece and side pocket pieces, and get your clips.
Start by clipping at the top, then the middle marked spot, and go from there.
Sew from one top edge, down and around, and up to the other edge. Repeat for both sides.
Clip, clip, hooray!
After the outside is finished, sew the interior the same way. This will be easier because there isn’t a layer of thick foam.
Add your own label. This is the chef’s kiss!
Clip around the top of the inside and outside. Sew!
Use lots and lots of clips.
Turn inside out through the interior pocket. This is tough, but you’ll persevere. LOL
The last step is to make the handles.
I usually make mine a little shorter or longer than what patterns call for. I measure the length I prefer with a soft measuring tape, draped over my shoulder.
Fold the handle in half, mark, then fold each side to the mark down the middle. Using the double-sided tape really helps with this part. Clip and sew.
When sewing vinyl, you cannot backstitch. The needle leaves permanent holes, so go slow and sew carefully.
Mark the center point, fold each edge to the line. Then fold onto itself, clip, then sew.
Insert into the hardware rings on your purse. Sew a few rows of stitching across the vinyl.
Dress accordingly and go see the new Beeltejuice movie.
That’s it! Your big beautiful handbag is ready to get filled with everything on the planet.
It’s a fairly simple handbag to sew. I’ve made the smaller version as well and love it.
I’ve never had a handbag this large before so, I do feel a little funny shopping with it. I haven’t knocked anything over inside a store, yet. Haha! Oh, and it takes up a whole seat at a restaurant, but it fits everything! My laptop and camera both fit inside, which is nice if I’m on a photoshoot.
Do you need a huge carpet bag like this? I plan on making another in a different fabric- one that is more suitable for year-round use. I also might make a third using some leftover camera fabric from this skirt project.
Here’s a silly reel I made on Instagram showing what fits inside the bag.
Happy bag-making!
Annette
Movie theater goofball photos.