Coco

ChrisW Designs

Copyright 2012, ChrisW Designs. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy and/or distribute this pattern in any way whatsoever, wether you profit from it or not. However please feel free to distribute the link to my Blog http://blog.chriswdesigns.com/ so your friends can obtain their own copy!

2012
This FREE pattern is proudly brought to you by ChrisW Designs. http://www.chriswdesigns.com I do hope you enjoy this free pattern and if so, I hope you will share the link and maybe even add a link to it on your own blog! That would be wonderful and very much appreciated! :) Special thanks to my wonderful pattern testers, in particular Maria for finding my pattern booboos and Naomi for naming this bag for me and for proof reading! I would be LOST without these wonderful Ladies! Thank you!

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The pattern comes ready to print out on standard A4 paper OR you can also print on Letter or Foolscap simply by checking the "Disable shrink to fit" or similar in your printers settings. Please note that due to some variations between printers, occasionally it occurs that the printer may print the pattern untrue to scale which may affect the final quality of your finished bag if the variation is more than minor. To help avoid this, please print out the test squares on the next page to see how your individual printer is printing. Please ensure you check your printers setup or print handling prior to printing, to ensure that any available settings for Printing to scale or No Scale Or Print Scaling: None are checked. You may see Properties Print to scale: 100%. Check this. You may also see a setting Choose paper source by PDF page size Try checking this! I hope this helps to ensure your pattern prints correctly and you have trouble free assembly! If you are still having difficulty printing to scale, please contact me so a solution can be found! Enjoy your pattern! I would love to see a photo of your finished creation! Cheers and happy sewing, Christine

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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This square measures 5cm X 5cm

This Square measures 3 X 3

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Features:
The Coco is just right for a day out! It closes with a magnetic snap and has an inside slip pocket as well. Featuring grommets, piped handles with hooks and rivets too, nobody will believe you made it yourself!

Finished bag size = 33cmW X 11.5cmD X 20cmH. (13W X 4D X 8H) Pattern Notes
All seam allowances are 6mm () unless otherwise stated. Right side = Front or patterned side of the fabric When joining 2 printed paper pattern pieces (where the pattern piece does not fit whole on one sheet of paper for printing) make sure that you line up the pattern pieces so that the join lines overlap to become one line. Tape together with sticky tape and cut. Easy!

Fabric & Construction Suggestions

For this bag I have used quilting weight fabrics and faux suede for the top band. *When making the straps it is much easier to sew the ends in place by making the interfacing shorter than the strap by 3 on each end so this is how I have written the instructions however the pics show the straps fully interfaced. If you have a good machine, you may like to fully interface the strap. However if you are unsure of your machines capabilities, I suggest the shorter interfacing! This cut down on the bulk, which really helps if your machine baulks at a lot of thicknesses! I also riveted my straps to make them secure. I used 8mm rivets from http://www.etsy.com/shop/3Dpatternpaper . TIP: If you dont like riveting or not keen on the piped straps, you can easily make this bag with flat straps instead. Just cut your straps at 5cm (2) wide instead. Fold them over and stitch in place with a boxed cross formation to secure and they will sit nicely flat! Note: The piped straps DO gather/bunch a little on the hooks eye. This is normal for this particular style of piped strap and not an error.

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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These are the hooks and grommets I have used.

2.5cm (1)

Grommet inside diameter = 10mm ()

Length = 4.5cm (1)

I got them from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/3Dpatternpaper

You will need:

Exterior Fabric: Suggested Quilting weight cottons or Home Dec weight 45cm ( Yard) of 112cm (44) wide fabric Small amount of Contrast Fabric for your band. (I used a leftover piece of Faux Suede that I had in my stash) Lining Fabric: Quilting weight - 45cm ( Yard) of 112cm (44) wide fabric. Fusible Interfacing: Light-mid weight 90cm (1 Yard). I used Pellon SF 101 Shape-Flex. Fusible Fleece. Mid weight - I used Pellon Fusible Thermolam Plus TP971F 25cm ( Yard) Small amount of double sided fusible Peltex or similar firm stabilizer for the top band. Piece of Template Plastic 23cm X 10cm (9 X 4) Matching Thread. 4 X 4.5cm (1) long Hooks X 2.5cm (1) wide (Inside measurement of strap loop). 4 X 10mm () Grommets. (Inside diameter) 2 pieces of 1cm diameter () plastic tubing, 33cm (13 ) Long. 4 Double Capped Rivets.

Tools:
Your sewing machine Scissors & Rotary Cutter and mat (optional) Fading marker or chalk Pins Iron Tape measure Hammer Page 5

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

Grommet setting tools Rivet setting tools Seam/stitch ripper (Just in case!) Reading Glasses - if you are getting a little over the hill, like ME! LOL

How to make your bag -Preparation:

Before you begin, I recommend you make yourself a nice hot cuppa, settle back in your favourite chair and READ through all of the instructions to get the bigger picture and then follow them in order. 1) Cutting Out: Cut the fabric, interfacing, fleece, Peltex & Template Plastic pieces as instructed. Where pattern pieces are cut on the fold you will need to take care to fold fabric etc before cutting. Items in Exterior fabric Cut 2 Body (On Fold) Cut 4 Top Band (On Fold ) Cut 1 Inside Patch Pocket Cut 4 -Inset

Items in Exterior fabric WITHOUT Pattern Pieces: Cut 2 - Straps 46cm X 17cm (18 X 6)

Items in Lining fabric Cut 2 Body LINING (On Fold) Cut 1 Inside Patch Pocket Cut 1 Bag Base (On Fold) Cut 2 Magnetic Snap Tabs

Items in Fusible Interfacing Cut 4 Body LINING (On Fold) Cut 4 Top Band (On Fold ) Cut 4 Magnetic Snap Tab Reinforcements Items in Fusible Interfacing WITHOUT pattern Pieces: NOTE: Fusible interfacing for the strap is 15cm (6) shorter than your Strap length! Cut 2- Strap 30.5cm X 17cm (12 X 6)

Items in Fusible Fleece Cut 2 Body FLEECE (On Fold)

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Items in Peltex or similar Cut 2 Top Band Items in template Plastic Cut 1 bag Base

Sewing Instructions:
Unless otherwise stated, use 6mm () seam allowance.

Lets make it:

2) Attach Interfacing to your strap: *Interface Strap - Centre the interfacing on your strap so that there is 7.5cm (3) of space either end without interfacing. This is to reduce bulk and make it easier to sew the straps as it gets quite thick if you interface right to the end! 3) Make the Straps: a) First we need to make two closed end straps. Press 6mm () under to wrong side on each short end of the strap. b) Fold in half, lengthwise and press a crease. c) Now open out and fold long raw edges in until they almost meet the crease, press.

When unfolded, it looks like this: (Note my straps are shown fully interfaced - See Fabric & Construction Suggestions on page 4)

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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d) Now fold your pressed strap in half, pressed edges together and press nice and flat.

Pressed Edges

Creased Edge e) Topstitch the open pressed edges together along both short sides and the open long edge. f) Now we will complete the piped strap: Next fold your strap in half again and pin together to form a tube, leaving 7.5cm (3) open on each end. This part wont be stitched closed!

Leave 7.5cm (3) open on each end.

g) Next stitch the strap sides together to form a tube, beginning and ending 7.5cm (3) from each end. h) Now insert the tubing into the strap.

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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i)

Maneuver the tubing so that it lies within the stitched tube of the strap and stitch each short end closed to secure tubing inside. TIPS: When stitching the first seam across it is easier to push the tubing back out of the way somewhat. When stitching the second seam, you may like to use a zipper foot or set your needle as far over towards the tubing as you can get it, if your machine has this feature.

j)

Now taking one of your hooks, thread the end of the strap through and secure in place with a few stitches, back and forth. This is the point that may test your machine if you have interfaced your entire strap! If you Rivet your strap as well as stitch, it will be fine even if you dont manage to stitch this well!

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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Repeat for the other end and add rivets to secure and for decoration! If you need help with setting rivets, please refer to my rivet tutorial on my blog here: http://blog.chriswdesigns.com/2011/03/how-to-install-rivets.html

4) Lets Make the Exterior: a) With right sides together pin inset pieces to body, making sure that you match the notch marks on the Inset to the notch marks on the body.

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b) You will end up with little triangles like these, which is how it should be as you will cut these off shortly:

c) Open out and press seams flat and apart. d) Interface the exterior body pieces, over the top of the seams like this and cut off the triangular bits:

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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e) Now attach your fleece to the body pieces, on top of interfacing. Cut out the fleece where your darts are located:

f)

With right sides together, stitch darts.

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g) Apply Interfacing to your top band pieces. Set two aside for now. Pin straight edge of top band, right sides together with your body.

h) Stitch. Press seams down towards body. i) Run a row of topstitching along the body side of seam and run two rows of topstitching down either side of inset seams.

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j)

Place body pieces right sides together, making sure you match darts and seams. Pin in place.

k) Stitch. l) Finger press the seam OPEN and run a row of topstitching down either side of the seam you just sewed. Its a little fiddly BUT this will help your bag hold its shape nicely and look more professional!

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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Your bag now looks like this:

Set aside for the moment! 5) Make Magnetic Snap Tabs a) Take one of the fabric magnetic snap pieces and fold in half, right sides together. Press.

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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b) Open tab and place the reinforcement interfacing just above the fold on the wrong side and iron in place.

c) Using a magnetic snap backing as a template, make a mark 1.5cm () above the fold. (In the centre hole of magnetic snap backing) d) Cut slits for your magnetic snap as per template and insert the prongs through the slits. e) Place the backing plate over the magnetic snap and bend prongs inwards using a hammer.

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f)

Iron another interfacing strip over the top of your snap to protect the tab from wear.

g) Fold the magnetic snap tab in half, right sides together. Stitch along both side edges. Clip corners.

h) Turn right sides out and press. i) Repeat for the second magnetic snap tab. Set them aside for the moment.

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6) Prepare Top Band. a) Retrieve the two top band pieces you set aside earlier. Fold in half to locate the centre and mark with a pin.

b) Centre magnetic snap tab onto the top band with right sides together (the snap is down to you cant see it) and raw edges are 2.5cm (1) down from the top.

Raw edges of the tab are 2.5cm (1) down from the top.

c) Run a row of stitches approximately 3mm () up from raw edges.

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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d) Fold tab down over the raw edges and run two rows of stitching to secure tab in place, making sure you enclose the raw edges as you go! Repeat for the second snap.

e) Place top band, right sides together and pin sides.

f)

Stitch, pressing seams open.

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g) Retrieve your exterior body and place your top band, right sides together (curved edges) and matching side seams, pin in place.

h) Stitch. Trim the seam back across the top of the side seams.

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i)

Press the seam open.

j)

Fold top band down, wrong sides together and press again. Run a row of topstitching close to pressed edges.

Set aside for the moment! 7) Assemble Lining: a) Retrieve pocket pieces. Place right sides together and pin together, leaving a 7.5cm (3 ) gap open at the bottom for turning. Stitch and trim corners.

7.5cm (3 ) gap

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b) Turn right sides out and press. c) Apply interfacing to your body lining pieces. d) Centre pocket onto one of your bag lining pieces, 2cm () down from the top of lining, making sure the hole you left for turning is at the bottom. (Please note picture shows larger pocket placed further down, please ignore this!) Place pocket 2cm () down from top

e) Stitch in place using two rows of topstitching, closing bottom opening as you go, making sure you leave the top of your pocket open! LOL

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f)

Next stitch darts in your lining

g) Press all dart towards the centre. h) Place lining pieces, right sides together. Pin in place, leaving a gap of approximately 18cm (7) for turning your bag.

i)

Stitch and press seams open.

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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8) Assemble You Bag! a) Now lets put it all together! With your lining WRONG SIDE OUT and your bag exterior RIGHT SIDE OUT, put your bag exterior INSIDE your lining so that RIGHT SIDES are together. Take care to match the side seams and make sure your magnetic snaps are down out of the way! Pin.

b) Stitch all the way around your bag. c) Pull your bag through the hole you left in your lining so your bag is now right side out with your lining pushed down inside the bag. (Leave the hole open for the moment!)

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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d) Take one of your Peltex pieces and through the hole in your lining, carefully push it up as far as it will go into your top band, lining up the sides with your side seams. Remember the curved side goes to the top of your bag. Pin in place and repeat for the second piece of Peltex.

e) Now carefully press your top band BETWEEN your pins to fuse the Peltex in place. Press from both sides to get a good bond. Remove pins and press the rest of your band so that the Peltex is firmly fused all the way around. f) Next, using your fading marker, on wrong side, measure in 8cm (3) from side seam and down 18mm () and make a cross to mark where to set your Grommets.

8cm (3) in from side seam

18mm () down from the top

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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g) Follow the manufacturers instructions and set your grommets in place!

h) Insert your straps hooks into the grommets. Now stitch closed the opening in your lining either with ladder stitches or if you are a bit lazy, like me, you can machine the seam closed close to the edges. Set aside for the moment! Great! Your almost done!

9) Make a base for your bag! a) Retrieve your template plastic (or similar firm bag bottom) and your bag sleeve lining fabric. Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com Page 26

b) Fold the sleeve lining in half, right sides together. Pin.

c) Stitch one short side and one long side, leaving one short end open for turning. d) Clip corners.

e) Turn right side out. Press f) Trim the points off your template plastic so they arent so sharp.

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g) Slip your template plastic into the sleeve, fold the seam allowance inwards and stitch the opening closed, close to folds.

h) Slip your bag bottom into your bag and youre done!

Congratulations, You can now show off your new bag!

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

COCO
TOP
A seam allowance of 6mm () is included in the pattern. ChrisWDesigns.com 2012

Place on Fold

TOP BAND

Cut 4 Exterior

Cut 4 Interfacing

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TOP
Notches Join/Stitch to Body Piece.

COCO

INSET
Cut 4 Exterior
A seam allowance of 6mm () is included in the pattern. ChrisWDesigns.com 2012

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

COCO
TOP
Place on Fold

PELTEX Top Band

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Cut 2

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TOP

COCO TOP HALF

BODY

Notches Join/Stitch to Inset Piece.

Place on

Join to bottom half of pattern BODY Overlap line and sticky tape together!

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Join to top half of pattern BODY Overlap line and sticky tape together!

Fold

COCO TOP HALF

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

BODY
Darts

Cut 2 Exterior Fabric

A seam allowance of 6mm () is included in the pattern. ChrisWDesigns.com 2012

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TOP

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

COCO TOP HALF

Body LINING Cut 2 Lining Fabric Cut 4 Interfacing

Join to bottom half of pattern Body LINING Overlap line and sticky tape together!
A seam allowance of 6mm () is included in the pattern. ChrisWDesigns.com 2012

Place on

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Join to top half of pattern Body LINING Overlap line and sticky tape together!

Fold

COCO

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

Body LINING
Darts

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Top
COCO

Body FLEECE Cut 2

Place On Fold
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COCO

Bag Base Cut 1 Template Plastic

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COCO

Bag Base Cut 1 Lining

Place on Fold

A seam allowance of 6mm () is included in the pattern. ChrisWDesigns.com 2012

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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COCO

Inside Patch Pocket Cut 1 Exterior Cut 1 Lining

A seam allowance of 6mm () is included in the pattern. ChrisWDesigns.com 2012

COCO Magnetic Snap Tabs Cut 2 Lining COCO Magnetic Snap Tabs Reinforcement Cut 4 Interfacing

Coco 2012 ChrisWDesigns.com

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