I love the bow tuck bags. I've made a couple and am in the process of making another one. The two I have made, I gave a way.

Just curious, do you like it with or without the zipper? And,if you use it without a zipper, does the contents fall out a lot?

I use mine everyday. I use a snap instead of the button and haven't had anything fall out, even when it becomes airborn by DD's tossing in in the back seat or when I slam on the breaks and it falls off the seat. :-D

I use mine a lot. No zipper and nothing lost yet. LOL

Lol that is good to know. What kind of snap,was it easy to put the snap on?

Every Day.....

PLEASE share photos if you have them. My friend just made one with Connecting Threads clearance fabric. I'm going to make one for myself. She's gotten MANY compliments. It's such a practical purse!

I use mine everyday and it is stuffed to the top and things don't fall out.

I use mine every day. I put a strip of velcro for a closure.

I use mine all the time and have not had any problem with things falling out except when I do slam on the brakes and have not closed the top. The first one I made I used the button and loop and when I carry it, I am not good about looping the loop over the button. I think that is a PAIN! The next one I made, I put a magnetic closure on. It is absolutely the best way to close the bag!

I use mine all the time. I don't like the button, so next time I may try a zipper or the metal tape measure trick.
I am getting ready to modify the large one to a smaller one as I cannot afford the pattern. The metal tape measure is looking better and better. We shall see.

Here are a few of mine.

Wow! Thanks everyone.

Katfish, your third bag, you made longer handles? I was thinking about doubling the length of the handles for mine too!

I use mine all the timme, but I don't like the button and loop.

I purchased my first one from a quilting guild...it is a tote and have used it lots...made one over a year ago and decided after I had it made that I really wanted a more secure closure...but, what? So it sits here.

You will enjoy your tote/purse so much...each is unique and fun as you have noticed from the ones posted.

Hoping to pick up a suggestion or two on the closures used.

I make them by the season --- a fall one, a Christmas one and a spring one. Didn't have time to make a summer one.....and I use them ALL the time (in season) :mrgreen: I didn't put in a zipper and nothing falls out. I used deco-bond which makes them "sit up" and I make sure they're sitting right so they don't fall over. :thumbup:

i use magnetic snaps in mine and no the items do not fall out.

I use mine every day - no problems with stuff falling out - but I do have a problem keeeping the stiff bottom in - I use foam core board then cover it with fabric - shove into the bottom - usually pretty tight - but I have a problem with change and loose stuff getting under the board - then pretty soon the board is at the top of the bag - I was thinking of using velcro to attach to the bottom - but curious if others have this problem....

I am in the process of making my first one. I put a zipper in but now that I look at picture and think about it I don't know how that will work since the ends get tucked in with the bows and my zipper goes from end to end. Hmmmmm I'm also having problems with the straps. Someone on here said how well it worked to use the no-roll waistband elastic in your straps. Well, it looked fine on the top but when I turned it over the elastic had pulled through the fabric and the thread is all messed up. So then I tried just making it with batting inside. The fabric started getting pushed up so I used my walking foot. It made teeny tiny stitches so I quit. People on here whip them out one after another and I can't even get one made!

I had that problem too. I use the plastic canvas or a plastic cutting mat and I place in between the lining and outside bag and then sew the hole shut so there is nothing for my change, keys, ect to get stuck under. I have even washed mine and the plastice canvas holds up really well in the washer & dryer.

Just an FYI, if you will put the bottom 'board' in between the lining and bag, maybe using a bit of glue, it will stay in place...Mine has worked fine that way.. If you plan on washing it a lot, you mite use small button type velcro on ea corner and then can remove it.

I love mine, I use it everyday. Love all the pockets, everyone is filled with something. I used a snap, don't care for velcro. Using the metal tape trick is something to try.

Carry mine every day and love all those pockets. Have not lost anything yet. KatFish, where did you get that Army fabric, I must have some!!!

GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing.

I was going to use one of the thin plastic cutting boards from IKEA in the bottom. Inserting it between the lining and the outside will definitely hold it in place!

These are awesome responses! Thank you ladies. I have all of my material cut out now and the batting. I am going to try and get it sewn up today. I have picked out red for the bottom, small red flowers for the top, red inside and the same small red flowers for the straps.

Has anyone made the handles longer then what the design asks for?

Yes I have made several of them but I put a magnetic snap on each side of the button. I love them. I am finding that if I change purses I go right back to the bow tuck because I love all the pockets.

such good advice, I have 2 patterns, but never have made the attempt to actually make one. I get so excited over what I see, but I am so bad about choosing fabrics to make it unique. Is it hard to make? Lots of little pieces? What do I need for the most part? Thanks.

what is the metal take trick?

I use mine all the time. I shrunk the pattern a bit more so that my DD can use one too. She's 2. And with all the tossing and cramming that we both do in our purses, nothing comes out.

I also use the double faced quilted fabric. It is a bit more expensive but if you have a joanns coupon it is not bad and so much easier to use this.

I have made several bags and love them. I made two diaper bags out of the pattern and just made the straps longer and the bag about 4 inches taller. I made my sister and mom each one with a matching zippered cosmetic bag to go inside. We recently made a trip to Seattle and all had our bags! The last time my mom had her hair done, she said that all the ladies at the beauty salon were "ooing and aahhhing" over her purse! I use the magnetic closure and it seems to work great for me. I don't like fussing with a loop and button. I may try putting the bottom stabilizer into the lining on my next bag - sounds like a great idea.

I made one for myself and use it everyday. I get lots of compliments and friends wanting them. I haven't made any to sell yet and may in the future. What my friends like most is the bright material for the inside. They say that is ideal for being to see where everything is and not having to fumble around to find what they are looking for. I will post mine when I get back from my "Curves" workout!

Another pattern I have and am anxious to use.

I use plastic canvas and make a sandwich with batting to put the canvass inside. I sew it closed. I also make it slightly larger than the bag bottom...just enough to stretch it a tad. I have very little problem with change going underneath.....AND it's all washable!

Another alternative to the zipper is a magnet. GREAT safety feature and the women I have made them for love them.

Ya'lls bags are so cute. I can't wait to get the pattern and make some. Great gifts too. Thank's for sharing

I've made several.. and love it.. I am going to make the handles a little bit longer so I can sling it over my shoulder.. I hate carrying a purse on my arm.. I think it reminds me of my grandma.. course I'm a grandma so what does it matter??

I have one cloesd with a magnetic snap.. the other with a button.. I haven't had anything fall out.. yet.. I'm about to make another one.. Patriotic I think.. Made one of those last year, didn't get to use it before someone talked me out of it.. oh well.. I have the pattern and the skill!

A friend made me a bow tuck bag, and it's absolutely adorable! It's a bit on the small side so I don't use it as much as my other purses, but I love it and make sure I have it with me when I get together with the friend who made it.

Are the magnetic closures put in after the bag is assembled? Ive never seen one.....