Owl bag tutorial

I haven't provided printable patterns for this, but I will tell you how I made the patterns.
I started with a semicircle, and sliced the top off a little more than half way.  My semicircle was about 10" diameter. You will need to cut two of these in your main fabric and two in your lining.

 

The head part is made from two overlapping circles, extended for the flap.  You will need one in your main fabric and one in your lining.

 

I used a gusset strip 2" wide.  For the eyes I used fleece for the whites, and just found objects of a suitable size to draw round.  I used large black buttons for the pupils, but you could use fleece for this as well. The beak is made from two diamonds.  For the strap you need a strip of fabric 6" wide and as long as you want the strap to be.  Finally, I created the wings by tracing my body pattern and then drawing on the shape I wanted.

My first step was to applique.  I used a zig-zag stitch to sew the inside edges of the wings on, and to sew first the whites and then the pupils of the eyes.

Next I put my head pieces right sides together and sewed around all the edges except for the long straight one - leave that one open.

Sew the two pieces of the beak right sides together along three sides.  Clip the corners and turn right side out.  Press well, folding the open edge inside.  Put in place and topstitch onto the head, all the way round.

Take one body piece and sew it to the gusset along the curve, leaving the straight edge open.  Then attach the other body piece in the same way.  Repeat with the lining, but leave a gap in the curve for turning later on.

Add your fastenings at this point.

Make the strap by pressing the fabric in half lengthwise.  Open out, then fold both sides into the middle and press again.  Finally press the whole thing in half.  Topstitch down each side.

Turn the main bag right side out.  Pin the straps to the gusset at the top.

 Turn over, and pin the flap piece to the body back along the straight edge.

Put all of this inside your lining and stitch all around the straight edge.

Turn through the gap in your lining and stitch up the gap by hand.  Then press and top stitch all round the top of your bag.

Enjoy!  Let me know how you get on, and if you make this bag and post images please post a link to them in the comments.

Shared at Green Crafts Showcase