Continuing our Mean Girls series with Regina’s sidekick, Gretchen, we have taken our Gigi pattern and shown how to really make it stand out in a group.
Similarly to the bag styled for Regina, we have used domed bag feet again as an embellishment. These can truly be laid out in any fashion you would like, you could even use our bucket bag feet for something a little edgier.
Our last “pop” of Gretchen style, is this easy “clip and done” resin chain that brings out the beautiful blues in our electric blue faux leather.
The most important tip for using bag feet as an embellishment on the Gigi: Make sure you plan lock placement prior to planning embellishment. Especially if you use a larger lock like we have in this updated design.
SEWING INSTRUCTIONS
Fabric Notes: For a single colored bag combine the Main Fabric and Contrast Fabric yardages: 2/3 yard (0.61m) - (kit has two 12" (0.31m) cuts of fabric)
Cutting Notes:
Optional: Create exterior zipper pocket
We always love an extra pocket! Follow your pattern to add the exterior back zipper pocket.
For this pattern hack, we skipped PREPARE & ATTACH HANDLE in the pattern.
Skipping the Handle gives more space for embellishment options and the beautiful opal chain strap is a perfect replacement for a Handle.
Install Closure Hardware
If you have chosen to use a larger, or uniquely shaped turnlock closure, be sure to take a few minutes to audition the lock hardware pieces, in case you need to adjust the placement of the turn half of the lock on Piece B before installing it, otherwise follow your pattern.
The Bow Turnlock works perfectly with the Gigi pattern, so no adjustments were needed. Install the turn half of the lock hardware. You may find it helpful to mark an outline of the turnlock hardware on the Wrong Side of the Back piece at the Flap area, in preparation for adding Bag Feet Bling.
Add Bag Feet Bling
We’re adding (4) bag feet to the Piece B Front: on the Wrong Side of Piece B, draw a horizontal line 3/4" (1.9cm) above the bottom edge, mark center, then mark 3/4" (1.9cm) on each side of center, and 1-1/2” (3.8cm) from those marks. Depending on your style you may prefer not adding bag feet to the Front panel.
Have fun adding bag feet to the open area of the Flap, remember to audition the eyelet half of the lock along with the bag feet embellishments if you didn’t mark the Wrong Side earlier.
If you like the look we created, this is how we placed the bag feet, marking on the Wrong Side of Piece A:
- Draw a horizontal line 4-1/4" (10.8cm) in from the short end (opposite the Back Pocket), then mark center and add two marks spaced 1-1/2" (3.8cm) apart from the center mark on each side of the center mark.
- Draw a second horizontal line 1-1/2" (3.8cm) below the first line, mark center, then 3/4" (1.9cm) on each side of center; add one mark spaced 1-1/2" (3.8cm) from each of the two outer marks.
- Draw a third horizontal line 1-1/2" (3.8cm) below the second line, mark center and add two marks spaced 1-1/2" (3.8cm) apart from the center mark on each side of the center mark.
- Punch holes and install the bag feet. Since the bag feet are decorative you could bend one prong over the other to keep a prong out of a seam allowance. Cover the prongs and washers with scraps of fusible interfacing to protect the fabric layers they could rub against.
Attach Facings
To attach the Front Facing (Piece G) follow step 2, but topstitch 1/8" (3mm) from the Piece G edges.
We recommend a one-piece Facing that will cover all the Bag Feet Prongs, instead of Pieces H and I.
- With Wrong Sides Together, align all the edges of the One-Piece Facing with Piece A. Use sewing clips to hold the layers together along the Flap edges.
- Measure 5" (12.7cm) in from the opposite short end along each long side. Then mark and trim 1/4" - 3/8" (6mm - 10mm) from the marks to the corners (opposite the flap).
- Also remove 3/8" (10mm) from the adjacent short end. Removing a bit of the facing will keep extra bulk out of the Gusset seam, making assembly easier.
- Secure remaining layers with sewing clips and topstitch 1/8" (3mm) from One-Piece Facing edge.
Continue with step 4 and follow the remaining pattern instructions to complete your version of this fun bling addition!
Note: if you have a larger turn lock, consider installing the eyelet half of the turnlock after the bag is assembled. The weight of a larger turnlock eyelet can make the assembly of the bag a little cumbersome, so it’s easier to add later.
Recommended finishing touch: use fabric markers or Edge Kote to color the visible backing of the fabric. This really takes the bag to the next level!
We can’t wait to see your embellished bag! Watch the video tutorial series for all these stylish pattern hacks!
Happy Sewing!
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