Oversized Front Flower part of the bag (External dimensions): 50 cm x 50 cm (at widest points).

Internal Dimensions: the bag has a hemispherical, internal lined 20 cm diameter pouch which is approximately 10 cm in depth at the deep point - the perfect size for carrying your daily essentials (phone, keys, cards, phone and makeup)

Pouch opening: 19 cm (when flat).

Length of strap (adjustable): this pattern contains 2 strap lengths, a shorter 50cm wrist strap and a longer 150 cm body strap (which can be lengthened or shortened to your desired length)

The bag fastens with a snap fastener. (You could alternatively use a button / buttonhole finish to fasten if you prefer.)

If you wouldn’t know where to start with a design like this - don’t worry - the detailed instructions (included) will take you through every step you need to learn how to make this bag.

The design principal for the bag is as follows:

Small pattern pieces (‘Quads’ and ‘HEX’ pieces) are anchored onto a main Flower shape, and are then manipulated through a series of steps in such a way that they distort the Flower piece creating a central, 3D origami-like twist. Facings are then added and this forms the front part of the bag (including an inserted strap).

Separately, we assemble the “Bag Pouch” which consist of the lining and the back opening of the bag.

The “Bag Pouch” is then attached to the front part of the bag and the whole bag is turned right way out though a gap in the lining, which is finally closed by hand-stitching.

NOTE: This is an unusual and unique pattern and needs to be cut wrong side up. A very important part of this project is transferring simple pattern markings from the paper pattern onto the wrong side of your cut fabric to assist with the construction process. If you don’t cut and mark the fabric wrong side up you will end up with the wrong side of your fabric on the finished outer surface of the bag.

The most important fabric criteria for this design is selecting a fabric that is stiff enough to ensure the 3D twist and large ‘Petals’ hold nicely.

Stiff fabrics have less drape. You will want to select a structured (non-drape) medium or light-weight fabric with plenty of body for this project (e.g. a dense-weave cotton with plenty of stiffness).

Please note it is important to understand the difference between weight and stiffness. Whilst these two factors are often correlated i.e heavier fabrics tend to have less drape, for this design we are looking for fabrics that hold their shape, but that are not too heavy. You will want to avoid fabrics that are too thick and bulky, as this will make it difficult to sew the stages that require multiple fabric layers to be stitched together.

If your fabric doesn’t have sufficient structure (i.e. If it is too fluid / too much drape) you may wish to fuse your fabric before cutting the pieces (see below).

For our examples (pictured) we used a 100% cotton cambric (200 gsm) fabric for all pattern pieces. Cotton Cambric is tightly woven fabric with a smooth surface. It is a stiff fabric with a crisp handle. We did not need to fuse this fabric. For a different look, you could try a taffeta-like fabric which has plenty of body but is very lightweight, so the flower shape and twist will hold up well.

This pattern has been designed to be cut from smaller fabric remnants or offcuts, however if you wish to cut from regular lengths of fabric, the approximate fabric usage is listed below.

Short strap version: requires 100 cm of fabric measuring 140cm wide

Long strap version: requires 110 cm of fabric measuring 150cm wide

(we recommend cutting the Long strap version from 150cm wide fabric, for best fabric efficiency due to the fact that the long strap is 150cm long.)

This ROBERTS | WOOD KiT project is provided as a PDF pattern with sewing instructions. It includes an A4/ US letter printable PDF pattern, which can be printed and assembled at home using any standard home printer. An A0 format pattern is also included should you wish to print it at a printers/print shop. The product includes detailed step by step instructions and diagrams.

Materials required:  Fabric, Fusible interfacing (optional), threads, snap fastenter (we used a large, 21 mm diameter snap fastener with 6 stitch holes. However it is possible to use any alternative fastening you desire - e.g a different sized snap fastener/ press stud or button and buttonhole.)

Equipment required: Scissors, sellotape (if printing A4 pattern), sewing machine, hand sewing needle, measuring tape, chalk, pins, iron.

Intermediate and above.

As with many ROBERTS | WOOD designs, this pattern is not a “traditional style” sewing pattern, and will differ from the construction stages of a traditional bag pattern you may have come across before. However we have made the construction stages as simple and fun as possible, with full step by step instructions included, so don’t be put off if you haven’t made anything quite like this before!

Although this pattern is aimed at an Intermediate level sewist and assumes knowledge of basic sewing techniques and terminology, we think it could also be a fun practice project for a confident beginner with a few projects under their belt, who wants to learn new textile and sewing skills. A perfect project to undertake using fabric offcuts that are otherwise going to waste. The pattern also includes a step by step instruction booklet to enable you to learn how to make this piece.

This is a substantial project and we would imagine that most people will want to complete this project over several days. The design has a unusual construction sequence, so whilst the sewing time is reasonable, time should be allowed to follow the unique sewing sequence.

The project is split into 8 separate stages so you can work on this project one stage at a time.

For those how like a challenge and learning something new, this project is a delight.