Bow Tucks question
 

I've been bitten by the bow tucks bug, having made 5 in the last couple weeks. I finally decided to look here for tips/pics to see if there is anything new/interesting. What I saw in the pics was no quilting. Is little or no quilting the norm for these bags? To me, the quilting is what sets it apart from other bags. I also wonder what all of you do with the opening in the bottom of the lining? Do you sew it closed? Leave it open? I found no mention of how to deal with it in the instructions. I have been sewing it shut and laying a covered board/stiffener on top.

I used a lot of quilting on mine, love the texture it gives it.

Sometimes I quilt mine and sometimes I don't. For the bottom opening, I used to hand sew them closed but read about sewing it with machine on another pattern so I do that now....much quicker and no one sees inside the purse.

I quilt mine. I think they hold up better when they're quilted. I also made a key fob to go in the outside pocket with a hook on it for the keys. Now I know where my keys are and I don't have to look for them.

I usually quilt mine, either with a curly meander or with a diagonal grid. I always sew the bottom lining seam on the machine. I usually use a magnetic snap for the closure and lengthen the handles several inches.

good ideas for both longer handles and the magnetic closure! I quilt mine on a diagonal grid, or on a vertical line for stripes. Thanks for all the great ideas!

I quilt mine. I started leaving off the outside pocket(I don't use it anyways). I think the quilting is the best part of the whole bag. I am adding two pics...sorry the quilting doesn't show up too much. I've made these for most of my family and they all love them. The blue one went to my grandma and she gets so many compliments on it.

I am getting ready to cut out my second bow tuck bag. The first one I didn't quilt, but this one is going to be quilted. Even though my first one is not quilted, it has been through everything, including at times holding a lot of weight, and has done wonderfully. I use my front pocket to keep a pack of kleenex in.

I have been wanting to try the Bow Tucks bag. Is there a place on this site to get the pattern?

I haven't made the bow tucks, but have made lots of charm pack totes and variations of them. I sew the bottom of the lining closed by machine. Since I'm making mine with charm packs, I usually stitch in the ditch. I also make my straps different lengths. and pockets, lots of pockets. You can see mine in my signature.

I don't put my hole in the lining. I leave the turning hole between the handles and top stitch it closed when finishing the top. I have also dont a tut here, http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...al-t55016.html

The pictures became out of order when they went to the new format for the board, I emailed about it, but it never was changed. Everything is labeled though and tons of people asked lots of questions and gave lots of tips.

I've made a bunch of different styles of tote bags recently but have been intrigued by the bow tuck bag and wanted to try one so I've just ordered the pattern designed by Penny Sturges by Quilts Illustrated, bought it off their website. Of course I'm the wrong side of the pond but the pattern was delivered within a few days. I just wondered if someone could give their advice about something, I notice it says to use fusible pellon to stabilise the sides, I do want to quilt it so I'm wondering if using the regular batting that I use to quilt is enough. Any thoughts would be great.

As for quilting it, any batting will do, but the fusible Pellon is a bit stiffer and gives the purse more "body" than regular batting. It is about the only difference that I can see. I have used warm and natural on the handles so they aren't quite so thick, but they both turned out ok.

I love the look (hidden) of a magnetic snap on my Bow Tucks. Just be sure to use something to stabilize the area. I found a website that recommended using plastic canvas. Works like a dream.

http://www.helloknitty.com/pdfs/MagneticSnap.pdf

i just orderd my bow tucks pattern and should get it in a few days. just wondering what type of fabric to use and hope it is an easy to do pattern. and if i mess up can i take the pattern pieces and make extras? before i start

I generally use cotton fabric. The directions are pretty easy to follow, just make sure you're doing them in the right order. There are lots of people on the board who have made this pattern so if you run into trouble, just holler for help! :)

I love making bow tucks...Make purse and tote sizes...I sew the turning hole closed..I also cover a piece of heavy cardboard ( I cut up the wilton cake cardboards) with the lining fabric for extra form. I have used cotton, but have also made one with lightweight cordoroy..this one came out adorable..

oh i will for sure come here and ask ?s .. when i get stuck on something.. for sure.. and the cordoroy fabric . i may use some of that. thanks all.. i should get them monday. i cant wait to make my first bow tuck...:D

I might be the only one, but I've made 5 purses and I didn't enjoy making them one bit. I seemed to have trouble every step of the way. They were all made in classes. I felt rushed. Everything seemed to be going to fast. Every time. I didn't think I was slow at doing things. I kept up in college classes okay, so I don't know why I couldn't keep up in these purse classes. I keep up in quilt classes. I love purses. I buy expensive purses. I would love to be able to make some nice purses and have them turn out nice, though. The ones I made in class I stick fabric in them. I wouldn't wear them out in public. They were 3 hour classes and we quilted the purses, too. I barely started to quilt mine when the class was over. I had to keep on calling the teacher over to help me. I felt so confused each time. Each purse was so different from the other. Anyone else have that problem? Is it only me? At quilting retreats, a lot of the gals make purses. They really enjoy doing it. I don't even try, even if it is cute. Is this Bow Tuke an easy purse to make? Some of mine were so hard to turn, I had to have the teacher do part of the work and even she had trouble helping me.

If you look, there is a tutorial for the Bow Tucks..At first I found the directions hard to follow...After I made my first, I was able to figure out what I had done wrong....I have made about 30 so far, including both sizes..Just completed 4 this weekend for orders!! Now I want to make other purses for my sanity and variety.. the 4 I made this weekend were done assembly line fashion...completing each step for all 4 then on to the next..Total time to make them this way was about 8 hours, which averages 2 hours apiece. Believe it or not I still haven't made one for MYSELF!!

I've made 2 for myself, and had trouble with the directions both times. I think my brain works differently from everyone else's. I did get them both together, and had trouble with the fusible--it didn't want to stick. Quilting solves that problem. I've gotten lots of compliments when I carry them though and have 2 more in the works.
Sue

I don't use the fusible...hated working with it...quilt myself, using leftover cut off batting from quilts. The directions are not that clear, and pictures would have been appreciated!! I love the purses tho and make quite a few. These are 2 of the 4 I made for orders this weekend![ATTACH=CONFIG]363431[/ATTACH]

The directions can be confusing the first time you make it. There is a tute on QB that walks you through it and answers the questions I had. After that I had no problem reading the pattern. Or my memory decided to work for that one. Good luck! I love all the bow tucks I have made.

I've made tons of them. After I finished my first one, I swore I wouldn't make anymore. It was a challenge. I got better with each one. Now I can do it without using the directions. I have only quilted a few of mine.

I always quilt mine, but I,, too noticed that others don't. I quilt it depending on the fabric. One fabric I quilted it in diagonal lines, another a stipple, some just wandering lines. I also use the magnetic buttons instead of sewing the button and flap. I saw someone sewed charms on the ties and that is pretty, I think I will do that next. I love making purses, I do not just make bow tucks, I get the patterns from McCalls and Simplicity when Joann's and Hobby Lobby have them for 99 cents. I always add the inside pockets, measuring my cell phone and tissues for size. Women love the purses and I love making them.....a win win for all.

Use lots of steam to get that fusible to adhere. I don't like to quilt.
Sandy

I just made my first bow tucks. I asked my LQS to do a workshop on it for me because I sometimes have a hard time reading patterns, I learn better by watching than reading. Any way, in answer to your question, there are no pattern pieces included--just dimensions for you to cut the material. So, yes if you mess up you can make extras.

I love the bow tucks and have made several. I have had complete strangers ask me where I got mine and they are amazed that I made them. I quilt mine because I like the look of them quilted. I also make the handles longer just because I like to sling them over my shoulder. I hand stitch the opening and put fabric covered heavy cardboard in the bottom. Sometimes I made a fabric pocket or I just hot glue a piece of fabric to the cardboard. I am going to make several as Christmas gifts this year for family.