Rachelcb80

I'm working on my first purse, just got started on it and already have hit a wall. This is not a good sign. :( The pattern doesn't have any picture diagrams so I have only the written instructions to go by.

At this point I've cut out the front exterior piece and the heavyweight fabric piece that goes between the exterior piece and the lining. The pattern says to pin these two pieces together and "stitch along the bottom fold line through all the layers. This line of stitching will provide a neat fold line for the bottom corners of the handbag." Problem is, I don't know where the "bottom fold line" is. It isn't marked on the pattern piece and like I said above, there aren't any picture diagrams showing you. I'm attaching a picture of the pattern piece. Can anyone tell me where they think the "bottom fold line" is?

np3

It says bottom pleat foldlines.

Is it possible that you are to stitch there?

I mean the line drawn across the bottom above the pleat lines. Hard to tell without knowing what the rest of the pattern says. Did you read through all of the instructions first? Sometimes that helps.

Rachelcb80

I did read through all the instructions and it calls for you to do something with the pleats later on. It calls them "bottom pleat lines" so I figure this isn't the same thing.

That dashed line (A) is where the two pieces were on separate pattern pages and you cut and taped them together. That's all it tells you to do with that line.

ktbb

like np3, I'm guessing that it's the dotted line just above the "bottom pleat foldlines".

MZStitch

I believe the bottom fold like is line A. The pleat lines below it would be the pleats at the front of the bag at the very bottom of the front of the bag. But if you post a picture of the bag itself, perhaps we can see if that is true. You could always set it aside for the day, and call the company tommorrow, they need to know the pattern is poorly written. If you got this at a quilt shop, often they make displays of thier bags, so they could help you as well, as they may have "been there, done that!".

np3

I'm still thinking that is the line. It is the only thing that makes sense. The cut out areas make the bottom when you stitch them.

Mailmanldy

What is the name of the pattern, perhaps if we can see a picture of the purse, we may be able to figure it out. However, from what you said, and the picture, I would be willing to bet that the bottom fold line is Line A. That is the only thing that makes sense

MrsG

The fold line might be the line where the smaller bottom section meets the longer part. If you read further in the directions they may say to meet the two short side lines and sew to form the bottom of the bag and then the line you have sewn will be the bottom edge of the purse.

lindyline

Rachel, when you cut the bag out, is the body of the bag in one or two pieces? Looks to me like they mean one piece, which means the fold would be the centre bottom of the bag, or if you;ve cut 2 pieces, then seaming them together would have the same effect. Hope that's semi clear.

Rachelcb80

Well I thought line A made the most sense too so that's where I stitched the line. Turns out that wasn't correct but I only found that out in the last few steps when I was constructing the bottom. Apparently the "bottom fold line" is not marked at all. It's where the bottom of the pattern piece zags in, along that narrowest part (there's a fold in the pattern paper there in the picture). I was able to rip out the incorrect stitching, but not stitch a correct line in. It's not essential, but I assume it's recommended since the pattern calls for it.

I hit another wall at the end this evening too. I just could not for the life of me understand what the directions were telling me to do. I sat for about a half hour messing with the bag, trying everything I could think of. I finally figured it out through trial and error. Could have done the same thing without the pitiful directions. :(

BUT, now that I've made one, I know what to do for future bags with this pattern. :P