Holly : Pockets and Prepping for Assembly

Here’s how I made two pockets in my ruffled wasp bag, one open pocket and one with a zipper. For the open pocket, pin the right sides of the 8” x 6” pieces together.

Sew around the whole rectangle with a ½” seam allowance, leaving an opening for turning along the bottom. After clipping the corners and turning right side out, sew a double seam along the top.

To attach the pocket, center it within one of the purse lining panels and sew along the bottom and sides ¼” from the edge of the pocket.

For the zipper pocket, you can use this tutorial. It will make your results much prettier than mine, which I did without the tutorial. Looking back on this I definitely should have used yellow thread, but I didn’t have any and didn’t want to go buy some. Don’t make the same mistake! You can also sew in a label during this process.

When the pockets are finished, it’s time to sew the lining pieces together. Make your darts, clip the seam allowances, and press. Pin and sew the right sides of the lining together, and don’t forget to leave an opening in the bottom of the lining to turn the purse when we put it together! Press the seams open, baste in your pleats, and your lining is finished.

Finally, we need to sew the outer purse pieces together. Sew your darts and clip the seam allowance and press. These will give your bag a good base. Pin the pieces right sides together making sure your darts are aligned and sew with a 3/8” seam allowance.

Press the seams open, turn the bag, and baste in your pleats.

All that’s left to do now is assemble the bag and sew it all together!