Easiest Accessory Bags Ever is a sewing pattern by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts. It’s been on my ‘to make’ list for some time now. Leil’s birthday party provided the opportunity. I managed to make 3 of them while staying up late to monitor the sleep over goings ons. Not a recommended approach, I was still threading drawstrings early the next morning, finishing up just before I made the bacon and pancakes.
While the sizes are accurate on the pattern description, I totally underestimated what 19″ x 21″ meant! I envisioned cute little drawstring bags for the party favors. What resulted were these fabulous large bags that the moms were eying as the girls got picked up!
The pattern includes instructions for 3 different sized bags: the large Laundry & Gym Bag (19″ x 21″, the one I made), a medium Girly Girl Handbag (11″ x12″) and a small Makeup & Travel Bag (7″ x 8″).
Step 3 was a little confusing for me. I was probably making it harder than it needed to be. Ultimately I sewed it in a way that was logical to me and after finishing I’m certain that was the same approach being described in the instructions. I took some pictures of Step 3 (above) and Step 4 (below).
I think this is an outstanding pattern. I love it for several reasons:
- A simple, classic design that is perfectly proportioned.
- The combination of using different fabrics for each piece made for a colorful project. I had fun picking out coordinating fabrics.
- The technique of sewing the lining to the exterior and then turning it inside out before sewing the sides results in lovely finished seams both on the interior and on the folded over drawstring casing. Simple, elegant and oh so functional!
Problems I encountered:
- I found Step 3 to be confusing as I describe above. It’s actually very simple. If you’re like me and take every word literally definitely look at my pictures. Just iron the seam allowance open and stitch it down as shown.
- FYI on the materials list: it is very tight on yardage! The large bag requires 3 fat quarters (18″ x 22″). The instructions call for cutting these down to 18″ x 21″. If you pre-wash your fabric then you may be short. After making the bag I realized it really wouldn’t effect the construction. Your exterior piece would end up shorter than the pattern called for and the lining could be cut to match. Similarly with the lining yardage. It calls for 3/4 yard (27″) and then instructs you to cut a 26 3/4″ strip. Again, if you pre-wash you’ll probably be short but ultimately you can just cut the lining and the exterior pieces to match before sewing them together.
Materials Used:
Pattern: Easiest Accessory Bags Ever by Fig Tree Quilts
Aiden Linen Natural for the exterior base
Ohinasama Princess (one side of exterior) by Alexander Henry in Pink, Green and Red
Ta Dots (one side of exterior) by Michael Miller in Ocean, Tangerine and Lime
Mod Geo (linings) by Michael Miller in Green, Aqua and Blush
The combos: Bag 1 – Pink, Ocean and Green. Bag 2 – Green, Tangerine and Aqua. Bag 3 – Red, Lime and Blush.
Now, a little Giveaway:
3 randomly drawn winners will receive the fabrics and pattern to make the Laundry Bags as shown (one in each colorway). I’d planned to do kits for the shop but it hasn’t happened in two weeks and it’s summer. What else can I say.
and a Contest:
Leave a comment telling me 3 fabrics (2 exterior and 1 lining) you would use (from the shop) to make these bags. Let’s keep it simple and assume natural linen is the base. I’m going to pick a winner or two from the combination I like the best. The winner will receive a set of fabrics and pattern to make their design.
I’ll draw the winners on Friday morning (July 3).
Happy Summer Sewing! xo Kathy
Oh so cute! Love the color combos you’ve chosen. Perfect accessories carryalls for weekend trips.
Wow, what a great giveaway!
1. Wildwood Forest in Lime
2. Kokka Bluebird Patchwork
3. Anna Maria Horner Buttoned Up in Sea (lining)
I would love to make the bag as holiday gift bag using Yule Critters, Holiday Ditzy Red and Joy Green! Looks like a fun project for all sorts of uses!
I keep going back and forth on my 3 choices!
Metro Market Chickens Summer by Robert Kaufman
Mingle Beads Black + White by Robert Kaufman
Stitched Swirl Green by Timeless TReasures
What a great bag!
Sounds like the sleep over was a great success!
These would be my picks-for a sister’s birthday present!
Deer Valley Lodge Lattice Peony
Deer Valley Columbine Natural
Kona Cotton Chinese Red
Alissa
I would like to see the bag made up with Robert Kaufman’s Metro Market Chickens Summer and Night & Day 2 Squares for the exterior. For the lining, I would pick Mingle Pebbles Black.
This was fun! It was a hard choice. I’d go with:
1. Mary Poppins Pigs
2. Echino Dots Bittersweet + Khaki
3. Modern Dots Blue + Brown (lining)
I’m in love with the ducks of Red Letter Day – so Ugly Duckinling and Walks in the Woods for the exterior and Perl Bracelet for the lining – in galosh. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would definitely stay with the linen on the bottom! A fun tote for crafting would use Wonderland Snip Snip Pistachio on the inside and the Mad Hatter Pistachio on the outside. Or should that be reversed? Tough call…
Lucky slumber partiers!
OK–This is not going to seem very creative, but I really do love these prints (and I like a sturdy bag), so exterior in County Fair Posie Raisin and County Fair Scallop Stripe Rose with interior in County Fair Tulip Medallion Berry.
Thanks!
Molly
These bags are so sweet! I would use mine as a sewing bag to take on picnics to outdoor concerts and so forth, so I would use:
Perfect Pattern Black by Alexander Henry
Wonderland Snip Snip in Glass
Monaco Circle Pane Gold as a lining for a fun surprise inside!
Bonjour Mon Ami (Hello, my friend)
Daisy Chain by Amy Butler
The French Life Teal & Lime by Japanese Designers
Bonjour by Japanese (lining).
Dreaming about going to Paris and brushing up on some 25 yrs old high school french LOL.
Au revoir (goodbye)
Lovely, just lovely. OK, here’s what I would try for my own bags:
Wonderland snip snip pistachio (I’m a sucker for scissors, I guess)
Wildwood sprout lime (I love this fabric)
Lined with Aboriginal Dot Lilac (because a splash of purple is just what these fabrics need).
Maybe when I see them in person the two greens might not work so well together — so I’d just have to get MORE fabric to make TWO bags!
I think that I would make a little bag for my son, because it is always easier for me to sew for my girls. I would make it out of the Tip Top Buses and Traffic Jam confetti green. Let him fill it with little toys for the car to keep him busy.
Oh how fun! I would love to make a boy-ish bag with “busytown” and “ta-dot tangerine”. I love those bags, they are super cute.
Such darling bags!
Now that I’ve gone and looked at fabrics,
I want to make one in my color combo choices!!
Because I LOVE Denise Schmidt and I LOVE canvas bags,
I would make it out of the County Fair canvas that you have.
I’d use Bouquet Berry and Medallion Berry for the outside.
Posie Raisin for the bottom [instead of the linen]
and the Dotted Leaves Rose on the inside!
Wow, these look great and what a good idea. My girl turns 12 the end of July and these would make good sleep over bag. I would choose Regent Skull Blue – Alexander Henry for the one outside, Mingle Beads Black + White for another outside and
Perfect Pattern Black – Alexander Henry for inside lining. Thanks for sharing and I will keep my finers crossed.
Now that it’s summer, I’ve been doing a lot of hand sewing during long car rides. I’d love a cute, handmade bag to place my projects and hand sewing supplies in. This pattern looks swell for that! For exterior fabrics, I’d definitely go with Home Sewing is Easy and Perfect Pattern Black by Alexander Henry. For the interior, I just love the fabulous red, white, and black combination in Katie Jump Rope Stripes Geranium. Thanks for the giveaway!
What a fun bag. Here’s what i would use:
Garden maze brown from Midwest modern
Del Hi Flora Blossom by Valori Wells
and then for the lining I’m thinking County Fair Tulip medallion pear by Denyse Schmidt.
I’m desperate for toy storage solutions so plan to make a series of drawstring bags to hang on a coat rack and fill them with tea-set items, wooden blocks and all the plastic play kitchen supplies my girls have.
So with toys and fun in mind I’d go with the fun and colourful Lizzie House Red Letter Day range as follow: Ugly Duckling and Pearl Bracelet in pond lined with Ducks in a Row also in pond; then Ugly Duckling and Pearl Bracelet in galosh lined with Ducks in a Row also in galosh and lastly Ugly Duckling and Stripes in feather lined with Ducks in a Row in feather.
Thanks for the chance to win.
I would use one of these two combinations:
1. exterior: Erin McMorris Wildwood Checked Floral Grey & Wildwood Pressed Leaves Grey
interior: Wildwood Wallflower Lime
2. exterior: Joel Dewberry Deer Valley Lodge Lattice Peony & Deer Valley Columbine Natural
interior: Deer Valley Floral Drop Azure
Love these bags and I am interested in making the three you made —for starters.
How might I order?
Thanks!
egads kathy! you had me stuck in your shop for 30 minutes.
okay, so i’d pick the traffic jam in red and ohinasama princess in red. then the ta dot in lime for lining.
xo
jade
Your fabric combinations are always terrific and the accessory bags are so fun and functional. Hope the birthday celebrations were fun filled! My fabric choices for the exterior would be: Mushroom Stripe (Japanese Import) and Aviary Woodgrain Dark Green by Joel Dewberry. For the lining, Mingle Pebbles Summer by Robert Kaufman. I hope the summer is treating you very well!
What fun! It was a great chance to look through all your wonderful fabrics, now I think I need to order some
I put together the bag with my about to turn 6 year old son in mind. Fun but not too “little kid”. We have dogs on the brain over here because we are looking to get a puppy, so I would do:
Outer: Mutt in green
Other outer: Mingle Pebbles Summer
Lining: Buddha Party Dot Plaid Orange (because I love a hidden splash of color.
Thanks – this is a fun contest!
These are really cute! I love the Aiden Linen Natural fabric you used. I think the Joel Dewberry Deer Valley Columbine Natural and Deer Valley Lodge Lattice Peony would be beautiful.
Thanks for giving a breakdown on how it worked for you.
These would be great travel bags for the kid’s during long car rides-they can put all there activities in their own bag.
If I were going to make one for me
, I would choose Vicki Payne’s For Your Home Aqua and Savoy Glass for the exterior and Roses Lime for the interior.
Wendy
Oops – I forgot to mention the inner lining: Joel Dewberry Deer Valley Floral Drop Azure
Wow!! I’d love to try on with:
Traffic Jam Transportation Blue and Michael Miller Sprockets for the outside and Traffic Jam Beep Beep Green for the lining.
Thank you!
These bags are AWESOME! Thanks for sharing — I had not been aware of this pattern. Now I really want to make some. I would love to win your giveaway!! OK, for the contest, I would love a kit of the following combo:
- Red Letter Day – Ugly Duckling in Pond (second choice: Champion in Pond)
- Good Folks in Cathedral Dusk
- and Natural Linen for the base.
Great for boys. Sweet!
Ooops, forgot my lining:
- Monaco Diamond in Green. As a back-up, Good Folks Filigree in Sun. Thanks!
I would do one for the car to keep stuff in so it would be:
Megatropolis
Merryville
Mod Geo green
I love the combination that you chose for each of your bags! I would love to try making a bag with Dainty Damask Peppermint, Red + Pink Valentine Stripe, and Red Letter Day Walk in the Woods Feather. The combination of red, pink, and orange seems just very cheerful to me.
What fun! I would use Deer Valley Columbine Natural and Deer Valley Rustic Dots Terra Cotta for the outside, with Deer Valley Floral Drop Azure for the inside.
I just LOVE that new Deer Valley.
I would love to win the pattern – I would use the following:
Traffic Jam Transportation Red (outside)
Michael Miller Street Stripe (outside)
Lining Red Letter Day Walk in the Woods Galoosh
I have two nephews that would love these for their sleepovers and camping trips.
since I would be boy themed>>I would coose
1. Metro Market Chickens
2. Sprockets
3. Echino Dots: Red
What a fantastic pattern! You must have had so much fun making all of those bags!
I’d use:
Hedgehog toadstool stripe in lime and orange,
Tossed owls in cream (I love that name, “tossed owls”)
and Traffic jam Confetti green
I think I’d do the scandinavian sampler with winter forest and then echino dots because really, who doesn’t love those dots!
i think because summer is upon us and time is so streatched, i would plan for a more fall/winter color palet:
aiden linen natural for the bottom — i LOVE that stuff
joel dewberry – deer valley architectural in persimmon for the top front fabric
ab mirtini rust for the interior or, if it doesn’t *go* well, i would repeat the linen for the interior .. (it’s so hard to tell color online)
for the ties i would use three different colors of something like soutache (sp) braid that match the fabric, braided together then threaded through the top.
it’s a darling bag and so functional: to the library, the store, just hangin’ around …. oh, yea, i would made the mid-sized one.
thanks for the opportunity to win the bag and fabric to match …
WOW! What a contest!
I didn’t read all of the entries, so I may be the only one using skulls. I just figured…why not? LOL! So here are my choices:
Exterior – Regent Skull Blue – Alexander Henry & Night & Day 2 Squares.
Lining – Red Letter Day Pearl Bracelet Pond (I just hope the blue matches with the skull print).
Sorry for posting again, but I realized I gave the wrong B&W print for the exterior. I was looking at too many and narrowred it down to 2. So here’s my OFICIAL entry…please ignore my previous comment.
Exterior – Regent Skull Blue – Alexander Henry & Night & Bohemian Babes Barbara Nite.
Lining – Red Letter Day Pearl Bracelet Pond.
Really! I love this.
I would use Wildwood pressed leaves in green, ta-dot in tangerine, and for the lining I would use wildwood forest. I just love that line of fabric and I haven’t had the chance to see it in person yet as no one has it locally, that I have found.
This was fun…
I’d do that outside in MoMo Wonderland Snip Snip in both Sugar Plum and Tomato since I love both those fabircs and I like the reverse play. For the inner lining I’d brighten it up a bit with Dena Designs Monaco Circle Pane Gold. I’d do the whole thing up in the largest bag possible and sent it off to college in the fall with my soon-to-be-freshman as a reminder of her Mom’s sewing machine rattling along more nights than not as she went to sleep at home.
LoVe those cute bags! I would pick Dance with Me Kimblerley Teal and Pretty Please Ann Flower Mural Ice…lining it in Pretty Please Sally Fuschia.
Thanks for leting me enter!
Fun stuff, I love bags! I would choose Metro Market Chickens Summer, Tadot Tangerine, and Garden Maze Olive. Yours are sweet!
Thank you for a good pattern review.
I would choose Home Sewing is Easy from Alexander Henry and Ta Dot Celery from Michael Miller for the exterior and Wildwood Forest Lime by Erin McMorris for the lining to make a nice retro sewing bag!
What a great pattern!
I love the Del Hi prints by Valori Wells. So fresh! I would use:
Stones Sage and Tapestry Cinnamon for the exterior, and
Tape Measure by Kokka for the lining.
Have a great Independence Day!
What a great idea for a giveaway. I would use Hedgehog Toadstool Stripe – Lime + Orange and Tossed Owls Brown for the outside and Traffic Jam Confetti Green for the lining…
Cute bags and fun contest and giveaway! Thanks for both, and for the pattern review. For the contest entry, here is my fabric combo:
exterior: Erin McMorris Wildwood Pressed Leaves Fuschia & Anna Maria Horner Good Folks Festival Tangerine (hope they match in person – looks good via internet)
Interior: Metro Market Apples Red+Yellow
Thanks again – this was fun!
Outer fabrics: Valori Wells Del Hi Flora Blossom and Del Hi Pom Pom Scarlet.
Lining: Valori Wells Del Hi Full Bloom