Oversized Owl Bag Tutorial

Here are the instructions for making an owl bag, like the one from this gift set.

This tutorial is for personal and gifting use, please don't sell any that you make.

What you will need (I made this bag extra big, so adjust the fabric amounts according to the size you want to make):

• 5/8 yard heavy weight fabric for outside of bag (I used canvas)
• 5/8 yard fabric for lining
• 1/4 yard fabric for owl's body
• Coordinating scraps for owl details (eyes, beak, wings)
• 1 1/4 yard Ribbon
• Magnetic snap
• Heat and Bond

Start by Creating a pattern. I simply drew the outline of an owl on brown craft paper. My pattern was approximately 15" wide by 22" tall (at the top points). Use your pattern to cut out two owl shapes from the lining fabric and one owl shape from the outer fabric. Next, you'll cut the pattern apart along the straight line across the owl's body. Use this to cut one top piece from the outer fabric and one bottom piece from the coordinating outer fabric. Next, cut the wings, eyes, and beak from the pattern paper. Use these to cut out the details from coordinating scraps. For the gusset (sides of the bag): Cut a 3 1/2" wide piece of fabric the length of the outer edge of the owl, starting from one top corner down around the bottom and back up to the top. I'm not sure how to better explain this step, but I took a piece of ribbon and laid it out around the large owl shape to get the length. You'll need one of these gusset pieces from the outer fabric and one from the lining fabric.

For the strap: cut a 5"x42" piece of outer fabric.

Attach heat and bond to back of wing pieces. Iron wing pieces onto owl body piece. Stitch around the edge. I used a simple straight stitch so that the edges will fray a bit and give a fun look. Sew top and bottom pieces together along straight edge (right sides together).Press seam open. Add the eyes and beak in the same manner as the wings. Sew the outer gusset piece to the front owl piece, right sides together. Once that is sewn, sew the gusset to the back outer piece in the same manner (right sides together). This step is much easier if you pin your fabric well. Turn the bag right-side-out: You're bag is taking shape! Next, sew the lining pieces to the gusset the same way you sewed the outside together, except REMEMBER TO LEAVE A HOLE at the bottom, to turn the bag right-side-out once the lining is sewn into the outer piece. Attach magnetic snaps to the center of the lining, 1 1/2" from top of lining. This is very easy, just follow the directions on the package.

Put the outside piece (right-side-out) inside the lining (inside-out). Sew the outside and the lining together all around the opening of the bag. Pull bag out through the hole in the bottom of the lining. Top stitch the hole in the lining closed, remembering to tuck in the raw edges. It helps to press it before sewing. Top stitch around bag opening. (This is where I forgot to keep taking pictures, sorry!)

Good work- You're almost done!

Make the strap: fold the 5"x42" piece of fabric in half length-wise. Fold in raw edges and press. Sew all 3 open edges closed. Sew ribbon to center of strap piece. Fold ends of strap under twice and center on the gusset, one side at a time and attach to bag, sewing in a rectangle, then an "x" in the rectangle. It's a good idea to either use a triple stitch, or go over this a few times to ensure that it's attached properly. I just realized this picture is sideways...sorry.

That's it! You're done!

If you make one, I would love to see a picture.