Here’s the windup on my new bag. After embroidering the corner accents and grommet designs on both bag outer panels, I followed the instructions in Handbags 2, Designer Knockoffs for stitching the grommets on the lining. Now it was time to construct the bag. I used a centering ruler to find the center of the bag front. The long legs of the target ruler hit the grommets at the same measurement so the hole in the center designates the center of the bag. I slid my decorative trim under the ruler and pinned it in place then edgestitched the trim to secure it to the bag. 
I burrowed into my stash of bag-making supplies to find the Clover Shape ‘n Create Bag & Tote Stabilizer. I found a packet and low and behold, it was mere scraps! Ugh! 
But hey, since I can sew this piece to the bottom of the bag, I can probably sew the strips together to make a larger piece. That’s exactly what I did. I placed two strips under the needle, side by side and zigzagged over the joint. 
Then I repeated that for the third strip. Worked like a charm! I wouldn’t recommend this for a laptop bag but for an everyday bag, it works fine. 
I sewed the bottom seam, right sides together and taped the Shape ‘n Create in place. Then I sewed the stabilizer to the bag bottom and added the feet. 
Designer Knockoffs shares some secrets for successful pressing because pressing during bag construction is crucial for a professional finish. I recently purchased Dritz Thermal Thimbles (heat resistant finger protectors) and loved using them for this task. It seems I’m always burning my fingertips while pressing the narrow ¼” seams open but not anymore! Love those Thermal Thimbles. 
With the sideseams sewn, I slipped the lining into the bag and even tucked my phone into the pocket for one last fit check. 
Next step is the grommets. If you read Designer Knockoffs, you’ll notice it calls for headliner interfacing not heavy craft interfacing. The grommets will not adhere to the heavy interfacing like they do headliner. Make sure you use the proper materials. Here’s a tip for inserting the grommets. Use a kitchen cutting board to insert the grommets. Place the prong side of the grommet on a flat surface. Center the hole (on the bag) over the grommet. Place the matching side of the grommet over the hole, connecting the two grommets. Place the kitchen cutting board over the grommets and push down on the board with the palm of your hand. You’ll hear a snap as the board forces the two sections of the grommet together evenly. Give it a try; you’ll be surprised how easy it to force the two sections together. 
I followed Nancy’s instructions for adding a zipper then bound the upper edge and voila! That was fun – I love making bags!
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97 COMMENTS
Cheryl Wester
12 years agoLike
Angela Bright
12 years agoLike
Regina Davis
12 years agoLike
The Facebook “like” link is broken. 🙁
Annette
12 years agoLike
Karen Poole
12 years agoI bought the book and the starter kit as soon as they came out. I absolutly LOVE all of these bags!!!! I will make them in every color and style.
angela taylor
12 years agoLike Like Like!
Lori E
12 years agoLike (but link to fb page seems to be broken)
angela taylor
12 years agoLike
Sandra Plake
12 years agoLike
barbara ann
12 years agoLike
Kathleen
12 years agoWhat a unique look for a handbag. I never attempted such a project. With the recent loss of a parent, this would be a good distraction to try on my new sewing machine.
Kathleen
12 years agoI really “Like” .
Donna F
12 years agoLike
Dorothy Le
12 years ago“Like”
mad14kt
12 years agoLIKE!!!
Linda Lester
12 years agoLike!
Dianna
12 years agoLike!!!!! Since this is my birthday—I would love to win!!!
Sheila
12 years agoLike!
Kim
12 years agoLIKE!
Debi P.
12 years agoI’ve made some of the other bags in this line. These sure need to be added to my pattern drawer!
LeAnne L
12 years agoLike
Cindy V
12 years agoI would love to win a copy of Handbags 2 Designer Knockoffs. They look amazing! I’d make purses for myself and my daughters and the smaller one for my granddaughter!!
Alice Phillips
12 years agoLIKE!
Beth R
12 years agoLIKE! (but the link is apparently broken right now!)
Lynne
12 years agoLike
Penny Olver
12 years agoLIKE!!
kathy
12 years agoLike
Wendy Scott
12 years agoLike
JudiC
12 years agoLIKE
Jean
12 years agoLike!
Rhonda
12 years agoLIKE
Margarita
12 years agoLike
I’ve made several Florida Totes but would like to make one using your grommet method.
Donna G.
12 years agoLike!
Diana Darie
12 years agoLike (but the link seem to be broken)
Cathy
12 years agoLike!
Carolyn H
12 years agoLike
Carol Breault
12 years agoLike!!
Judy Morris
12 years agoThanks for the tip on applying the grommets. In will definitely be trying that.
Fran Wiest
12 years agoCan you suggest a supplier for head liner interfacing, it is a product I am not familiar with, thanks
Fran Wiest
12 years agoLIKE
Cheryl Adams
12 years agoLike!
Terri
12 years agoLike!
Donna Klug
12 years agoLIKE!
Shirley Maurice
12 years agoLIKE!! Actually, LOVE it!! What fun it would be to have seasonal bags that coordinate with your wardrobe!
Sandi Cunningham
12 years ago“Like” “Like” “Like” “Like” “Like” “Like”
Mary
12 years agoLike
Sallie Sirhal
12 years agoLIKE!
Christina
12 years agoLike
MoeWest
12 years agoLIKE
Mary J Chevalier
12 years agoLike
Patty Schrock
12 years agoLIKE!!!
Rosalyn
12 years agoLike!
Claudia Wade
12 years agoLIKE
Joan Luiz
12 years agoLIKE
Sharon Brockhouse
12 years agolike
Erin M
12 years agoLike!
Loretta Leith
12 years agoLove your bags, but also like Med sized hobo type w/single over shoulder strap, pockets inside and outside. With your wonderful creativity, can you whip a pattern out for those? 🙂 Enjoyed your show in OKC.
Sharon
12 years agoLike!
Roxie Brotsky
12 years agoLike
Debi p.
12 years agoLike! Haha… I posted earlier but didn’t follow direction very well.
Gail sabramsky
12 years agoLike
Bonnie Gray
12 years agoLike, always so well thought out!
Joanie
12 years agoLike! Love it!!
Mary Haggenmaker
12 years agoI know if I could see it I would LIKE it, but something is wrong with getting there and I was unable to see it :(. Message said it was broken.
Linda W
12 years agoLike!
Michaela
12 years agoLike
Marge Geraci
12 years agoLike Very Much! but cannot get there to let you know!?
Betty Smith
12 years agoLike
Betty Smith
12 years agoLike
Cheryl Wright
12 years agoThese have such a professional look to them. They are nicely designed. My friends will be wanting some.
Berenice
12 years agoNo fb, but still Like!
Andrea Ditton
12 years agoLike
Vicky
12 years agoLike
Karen Poole
12 years agoI think I already commented, but just had to comment again!! You mention the Thermal Thimbles, I bought those as well and use them ALL the time, and I also suggest them to my beginning sewer friends! I love love love the thermal thimbles!!! You wouldn’t think those thin little things would help but they do!!! They have made a HUGE difference for me when pressing!! Another must have!!!
Stella Germann
12 years agoLike
carol
12 years agoGreat bags! Would love to sew one of these little cuties up!!!
“Like”
Sue Duisenberg
12 years agolike
Barb S
12 years agoLIKE
Stella Penalver
12 years agoLike!
Janice Loveland-Grandi
12 years agoAbsolutely super size like!
Sharon H
12 years agoLIKE!!!
and I love this bag…
Beckie
12 years agoMucho Like!
Martha
12 years agoLIKE!
Jenny Chilcott
12 years agoLike
Helen Ganas
12 years ago“Like”
Carolyn Kuhn
12 years agoLike
Faviola Martinez
12 years agoLike!
Anita Dickson
12 years agoLike. Unable to like the FB page.
Kathy C
12 years agoLIKE!!! Would love to win to be able to make some purses. Thanks for the chance.
Julie
12 years agoLike!
Martine
12 years agoLike, a bit late!
Helen Ganas
12 years agoLike
Georgene Withrow
12 years agoLike
I purchased the first “Designer Handbags”, and not only do I “like” it but I love, love, love it!! The first thing that comes to mind when I see this set is “Woo-Hoo”!!!
Julianne
12 years agoToday, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put
the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab
inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Emory Spangle
11 years agoThanks for sharing!
cartoon smart coupon
11 years agoI have mentioned a part of you article here if that’s ok? – vfxsoftware.net
nytaar negle
11 years agoImpressive, well they also mentioned something about it at onlykids.dk