Sequined Knot Bag

This Azuma style bag is lightweight and distinctively fashionable. Appropriately placed square iridescent sequins make the polka dot pattern all the more dazzling.

Excerpted with permission from Artfully Embroidered: Motifs and Patterns for Bags and More by Naoko Shimoda.

Step 1

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MATERIALS

Fabric
• Bag: 223/4” x 311/2” (58 x 80 cm) of red and beige polka dot georgette
• Lining: 223/4” x 311/2” (58 x 80 cm) of dark green silk taffeta

Interfacing
• Featherweight fusible: 83/4” x 303/4” (22 x 78 cm)

Embroidery Supplies
• 60 weight sewing machine thread in red
• Four hundred two 3/8” x 3/8” (0.8 x 0.8 cm) square iridescent sequins

Step 2

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CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS

• Seam allowance is not included. Add 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance to all piece edges, unless otherwise noted.
• Trace and cut out the bag, bag interfacing, and lining interfacing templates on pattern sheet B. Cut out each piece according to the diagrams below.

Cut 2 bags from each: Bag fabric and lining fabric

Cut 2 bag interfacings without seam allowance from: Featherweight fusible interfacing

Cut 2 lining interfacings without seam allowance from: Featherweight fusible interfacing

Step 3

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CONSTRUCTION STEPS

Sew using 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance, unless otherwise noted.

Trace and cut out the bag, bag interfacing, and lining interfacing templates on pattern sheet B. Cut out each piece according to the diagrams.

Cut 2 bags from each: Bag fabric and lining fabric

Step 4

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Adhere the interfacing

Adhere featherweight fusible interfacing to the wrong side of each bag piece. Only apply interfacing to the area that will be embroidered.

Step 5

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Sew the darts

Sew the darts on both bag pieces and lining pieces.

Step 6

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Embroider the bag with sequins

Embroider the bag pieces with sequins, following the placement indicated on pattern sheet B. Refer to page 52 for instructions on attaching the sequins.

Step 7

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Sew the bag together

Align the two bag pieces with right sides together and sew along sides and bottom.

Step 8

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Make the lining

1 Adhere circular piece of featherweight fusible interfacing to the wrong side of each lining piece.

2 Align the two lining pieces with right sides together and sew along sides and bottom, leaving a 4” (10 cm) opening for turning right side out.

Step 9

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Attach the lining

1 Align the bag and lining with right sides together and sew along the bag opening. Make clips into the seam allowance at the points.

2 Turn the bag right side out. Topstitch around the bag opening, pulling the lining down slightly as you stitch so a bit of the bag fabric is visible on the inside.

3 Slip-stitch the opening closed. Tie the triangular points into a knot to complete the handle.