Sewing Handbag: Instructions for the bag "Bari"

Sewing handbag – instructions for the “Bari” pouch bag from inspiration 01/2022

Leafing through the inspiration issue 1/22, it quickly became clear which projects I would be sewing. I’ll start with the trendy “Bari” handbag. You can never be sewing enough handbags, can you?

So that you can start sewing this handbag quickly and easily, I’m giving you detailed instructions today. I’ll show you how to sew your own bag with lots of pictures.

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The following material is required for sewing this handbag:

0.4 m of sturdy fabric (e.g. Tencel viscose, cotton, linen) – I used canvas
0.2 m artificial leather – I used purchased webbing
0.4 m lining fabric – I used canvas
0.6 m piping tape (if desired) – I used purchased piping tape
H 640 batting (Vlieseline)
1 magnetic clasp, diameter 19 mm
Wondertape
Walking Foot #50 if necessary
Piping foot #38 if necessary
Extra strong sewing thread if necessary

For Embroidery:

Gratis-Stickdatei (siehe Downloadlink unten)
Stickvlies
Stickgarn
Stickrahmen
Stück SnapPap, Leder oder Kunstleder zum Besticken (ich nutze das SnapPap auch zur Verstärkung des Magnetverschlusses)
ggf. Fadenspule mit hoher Fadenspannung

Preparations/fabric cutting

Download embroidery file for free

BERNINA provides you with the embroidery file free of charge. Here is the link to the website with multiple flower designs and other downloads in the 1/22 issue:

Embroidery File “Floral Highlights”

Download the file, unpack the ZIP file and transfer the embroidery files to your machine using a USB stick or open them for further processing in the embroidery software.

Please note: When you click on the download link, the ZIP file is automatically downloaded to your computer. You will usually find it in the downloads folder – but this depends on your local settings.

Bag pattern

The pattern is included in issue 01/2022 of inspiration. If you have not yet subscribed to the magazine, you can do so here or order the single issue: BERNINA inspiration 01 .

In August 2024, you can download the pattern for free with the voucher code “BARI” in the inspiration shop: https://www.bernina.com/handbag-bari. But be quick, this voucher code is only valid this month. Use the voucher code during check out and you can download the pattern and instructions!

In the inspiration shop, choose the print format for your pattern in the drop down and click “Add to cart”
Continue to the checkout or browse the website for some more patterns.
If you do not have an account, fill out the “Billing details” and choose if you wish to create an account or not.
If you already do have an account, log in at the “Returning customer” section on the right.
Enter the voucher code BARI on the bottom right and click on “Apply coupon”. A notification “Coupon code applied successfully.” will appear above the coupon section.
Scroll down and click on “Continue with step 2”. If you added another pattern to your cart or the coupon code was not successfully applied, you will be asked to choose a payment method. Otherwhise, your bill equals 0.- and you will be forwarded to the overview of your order. Read and agree with the terms, then complete the purchase. You can download the instructions and pattern on the next page or with the download links via email.

Did you miss the free pattern download in August 2024?

If you missed the free download: the pattern for the “Bari” handbag is also available in the inspiration webshop at the following link: https://www.bernina.com/handbag-bari

Trace pattern piece: Part 10 on pattern sheet A. Transfer the cut-out pattern piece (including markings!) to the fabric and cut it out (don’t forget the seam allowances!)

The following parts are cut:

Handbag:

1 x bag with cut flap (part 10); don’t forget the seam allowances!
1 x flap inside (up to the dotted line, star marking) (part 10); don’t forget the seam allowances!
2 x side pieces 28×5 cm; do not forget the seam allowances!
1 x strap 140×8 cm; finished width 4 cm (I used purchased webbing with a width of 4 cm)
2 x strap guides 6 x 2 cm; finished width 1 cm (I used purchased webbing with a width of 1 cm)
Piping tape (if not purchased) 60 x 3 cm; finished width 0.5 cm

Lining:

1 x bag without cut flap; don’t forget the seam allowances!
2 x side pieces 28×5 cm; don’t forget the seam allowances!
Inner pockets if necessary – at your own discretion (I have not sewn any inner pockets)

Volume fleece:

1 x bag with cut flap (part 10)
2 x side parts 28×5 cm

Before I start sewing the handbag, I have prepared the following:

I ironed the bag and the side parts with volume fleece (please allow to cool well afterwards so that the adhesive layer and the fabric can bond together optimally and you don’t burn your fingers).

I overlocked all the pieces all the way round. This step is not a must – but I insist on a beautiful interior for my pieces :-).

Sewing handbag – let’s get started!

If you don’t want to embroider your bag, you can skip the first part of embroidering and go straight to the “Sewing” section.

Embroidery

I always use the yellow thread spool with high thread tension for embroidery.

Hoop the stabilizer tightly, place your piece to be embroidered (I used SnapPap) and embroider your file.

Cut out the embroidery material just around the “frame” – done 🙂

Sewing handbag – the outer bag

Attaching the magnetic catch

The first thing I did was place the magnetic clasp.

It’s best to place the magnet pieces on your parts the way you want to place them. This way you can align them exactly and, above all, check again that everything is correct.

Be sure to reinforce the areas on the wrong sides of the fabric so that the fabric doesn’t tear when you open the bag. I used two layers of SnapPap for this.

Now the magnet clasps can be placed.

Attach label

The already embroidered label can now be placed on the flap. I stick Wondertape to the left side before sewing it on so that nothing slips.

Sew the embroidered label in place. I sewed it onto the “frame line” of the embroidery – this way you won’t see another seam.

Sew on piping tape

If you want to sew on piping, this step comes next. I used ready-made piping tape. You can just as easily cut a strip with the specified dimensions. Fold it lengthwise (wrong sides in) and sew it (or the finished piping tape) onto the allowance of a flap section.

I use Piping Foot #38 to sew on the piping.

Piping Foot #38

For narrow to medium-width piping ✓ For sewing on thick and thin ribbons and hook-and-loop tape ✓ For 5.5 mm and 9 mm machines ✓

Learn more

Sew on flap, straps and strap guide

You can then stitch the outer flap to the inner flap up to the marking (star). To do this, place the flaps right sides together and sew them in place.