I know many of you have made the bow tucks bag, but I am having a bit of trouble attatching the front pocket. I know it's probably simple, and I feel silly asking, but can someone please offer better instructions than what comes with the pattern. I just can't seem to get it in place right. Thanks so much in advance.
Also....is all this pellon necessary?

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-55016-1.htm

I did this tut and seemed to help a lot of people. Lots of ideas, too.

I viewed your tutorial, but still confused. Says to put the raw edge of the pocket 1/4" from seam line, stitch then flip up. The raw edge is where your name is right? If I stitch that way and flip up, it's upside down. Can't you tell I'm confused? LOL.

I'm sure someone else can answer better, but I'll try. Put pocket on upside down, with outer fabric toward bag. The seam they are talking about is where the bottom and top are joined together. I wish I could draw a picture. Hope it helps. Then you flip it up and sew the side seams. The raw edge is the bottom of the pocket.

That was the hardest part for me too, just step back from it, look at finished examples so you can see what it is supposed to look like and attack it slowly. Do a dry run without ironing or sewing anything down to see if it makes sense. I was able to figure it out finally this way. I know it's not super helpful, but it's what worked for me.

Rachel

that pellon is necessary if you want a sturdy bag. I loved using that stuff. Im even thinking of using it on small quilts.

Are you on the part where you are attaching the pocket to the tote? Have you sewn the top and bottom portion together? Pm me I will try to help you.

Just curious, why wouldn't you just sew the bottom seam in with the seam below it??

I've made this bag twice and next time will not follow the directions. I will put the raw edges of the front pocket into the seam that joins the bottom of the bag to the top portion. So you have your bottom piece laying down, right side up, then the pocket, front side down on top of the bottom, then the top piece, right side down on top of the pocket. I agree - the directions at this point are confusing, but the result of doing what I have recommended will be teh same look, only easier.

You can. Its just the way the pattern is. I've done both ways. Works either way. I always do a pattern as close to the steps as I can on a first, then after the first one is done all bets are off. LOL.

If you like a thinner purse, you can use something lighter. If you like a super thin purse you could use nothing. Those feel to me like they are flimsy and when you put something in them they look all lumpy. I am going to try a heavier pellon for my next one just to see how it feels. Did you figure out the pocket yet? Lay it on the bag the way you want it and flip it down. Sew the unfinished edge down. (the top should be finished)

No, the raw edge is the open bottom of the pocket. The edge with the name is a finished edge.

LOL, it just goes to show how different minds think, when she wrote up the directions she may not even have planned for a pocket and thus the directions. Also maybe the way she does it makes the pocket more roomy!?? Anyway, I'll do it your way the next time I make one. :)

I've thought about doing it that way too, but since I quilt a cross hatch design across the bottom and top, the pocket flap would get in the way of the quilting. I could quilt the top and bottom separately, but my quilting seams would not match - picky, picky, picky :roll:

No matter which way you do it, the purse will be beautiful.:)

Thanks so much for all the responses. Apparently I have done the pocket wrong because the bottom of my pocket is not open...lol. It is sewed. The only raw edge I have at this point is the top that is the trim.