My next project I want to do is the bow tucks. But I looked at the pattern and it just looks intimidating to me. Looks like it
may be complicated. Hopefully I will be able to at least get the fabric picked out or bought this weekend with everything else I need.

If you will read through the pattern carefully and then just follow it step by step, you will find that it is really fairly basic. There are several tutorials on here and lots of people have asked/answered questions about different steps. Just use the topic search. And, if you do get stuck while making it, just stop and put a question on here. Someone will probably be able to answer it fairly quickly. It is my new favorite bag to make!

Pam B is right on target. You'll take this step by step and have your bag done and ready to be admired. I like the techniques used and have used them frequently for similiar bags.

Have fun :-) We are here if you need us {{{hugs}}}

I just got my pattern today for the bow tuck and I see what you mean, in reading the directions at first it looks kind of complicated but if you do it line by line, it will be ok. My only suggestion is as you cut the pieces, write what they are on a little piece of paper or post-it note and attach that to the piece. So your first 2 pieces will say Top portion for front and back. I find that always helps.

And look in Tutorials for extra help.

I'll post mine if you post yours!

If I can do it,anyone can.Carried pattern from cutting table to ironing board to sewing machine ,back and forth,back and forth.So far I;ve made two,and getting ready to make one for me.Hopefully I;ll have a camera to take pictures.They are really not hard,just take your time.

This might help - Bow Tuck Tote Pictorial Tutorial - by knlsmith


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

yep line by line! I felt the same way about it....intimidated! But I've made 2 now and its not hard anymore.

This patterns instructions were a little confusing to me at first, too; but, line by line it all falls in place. Good Luck and you'll love the bag when it's finished.

Here are a couple of pictures of my Bow Tucks Bag with some modifications of a shoulder strap and a zippered compartment for small items. I am working on my second BTB.

I agree with first post. When I first read through the pattern I thought it was a little confusing. I found this
tutorial to be so helpful.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-55016-1.htm
I kept it up on the computer and referred to it often as I sewed. After making they first one, (I made the tote which was too big--went to mini which is perfect) making them became addictive. I have modified them with a flap instead of a button. Just take it slow and step by step. Lots of people here to help.

Very cute - love the colors! I also like the zipper pouch idea. Do you have a tute for that part?

Yes I too was wondering if you have a tutorial for the zippered pouch part?
My dh picked a fabric from my stash that he liked and I picked one. Then we went to Joanns to get a couple of things I needed to fix for his work supplies. So while we were there and for doing the projects he wanted done, I got enough fabrics to make 2 purses.

When you make your bags do you prewash first? Also has anyone put snaps on your bags? At my lqs they made one with a snap. I think I would like to try making one with a snap.

I am getting ready to make another one. The first one I made was the mini bow-tucks and this time I am going to make the regular sized one. I am going to use magnetic closures on them from now on since I do not care to always have to pull the loop over and around the button. I have used the magnetic closures on several other bags I have made. They are very simple to put in. You might try that instead of a snap.

Just jump right in a do the pattern one step at a time. Ask questions here if you run into a problem. They are really fun.

When I made the mini tote purse I made a flap to go over the top and used velcro to make the closure. I still put a nice button on the flap. I think it looked good.

My suggestion would be to cut out more than one at a time. After you make one, you'll want to make more. They are like potato chips, can't have just one.

They're really easy to make just pay attention to the directions.

TIP: Make sure you attach the button loop to the back piece of the purse, not the front with the pocket. Ask me how I know.

TIP: Make the button loop less than the 7 1/2 inches they suggest. I find that 7 1/2 is too long.

:)

We decided to leave out the pocket that goes all around the inside of the purse (I prefer to grope instead.) and that made it a lot easier. If I did it again, I'd put one pocket inside. We did three and after the first one was figured out, the others went very quickly.
Go for it!

This is what I'm going to do to the one I'm making now. My question is, at what point do I put the magnetic snap on? I have never used these snaps so not sure at what step I would do this.

Thanks

Me too. Thanks

The magnetic closure would need to go on before you pull it through...you would want it just on the lining. Sorry, I don't have my pattern here to look at it right now to see exactly where I will do it. Also, I always stick a piece of fusible fleece behind the spot where I am putting the closure...gives it more stability. Maybe I will need to pull the fabric through and then mark the spot and then pull it back through.

Gosh...sorry, I know this is about as clear as mud. I spent the day in my kdg classroom trying to put away all the stuff that came with our new math series...and, they don't see the need to have the air on when kids are not there (and our windows do NOT open). It was 93 outside and I think about that in my room. I am pretty much worn out tonite.

I started cutting the fabric for my mini bow tucks.I started cutting the first piece that was listed which was the front and back. Now I have came to the inside pockets and handle. It says to cut it the width of the fabric. My width is only 38" now. Is that going to be a problem?
Do you cut everything that is wof first?

Well, I generally cut wof first to keep from coming up short. You will be cutting your 38" piece in half to make your 2 handles. Which means they will be roughly 15-151/2" when attached to your bag. It is up to you, if that is long enough. If not, do you have enough of one of the other fabrics that you used for your bag? You could cut handles from it. Or, instead of a bag that you can put over your shoulder, you would maybe be just as happy with shorter handles.

Would this be ok for the pockets too? They are also to be cut wof.

Well I have my first one all most finished. Yahoo... I just have to get something for the bottom of it. I thought that I was going to be able to use the plastic cutting mats that I bought at the$1.00 store. Even if I were to use 2 pieces I think it is still too flimsy. So I might try the plastic table mat that someone else mentioned. I can't wait to make my next one. I will get it posted tomorrow sometime after work.

well, i haven't even cut mine out yet so i have really fallen behind!

When making the bottom for your bow tucks ( my pattern for the mini says to just wrap the fabric around the cardboard and then glue it. Did you sew a sleeve for yours and did you make yours about 1/2" bigger all the way around? Or if you used glue what kind of glue did you use?

I measured the outside of the bag and cut out heavy duty cardboard for the base. The cardboard was inserted in a pillow case type sleeve I made and the "open" end was folded underneath the base. I wanted something removable and easily washed. Of course, with the pillow case type sleeve, the covered base can be flipped over once in case I get the creeps about how clean it is :-)

I made one like yours, but I didn't have enough fabric to make it fold under. So what I did was I had just a little so that I could make a small hem like the pillow case. My peave is that I don't think that it is tight enought. I feel like I should take it in a little more because it seemed to be a little baggy. Should it be like that? It is easy to put in the sleeve and take it out but looks baggy looking. I guess when I put my things it there it won't bother me as much.

There is one more thing I don't know if it is just me or am I not doing this right. I sewed my ties on and back stitched them. After being tied and maybe from digging in and out of the purse, the stitching started coming unsewed.
I sewed straight across the tie about 4-1/2" like the pattern called for. Then I moved it in alittle more and seems to be happening again. Am I tying them too tight, or should I have sewed downward on them also at the ends of it? Have any of you had this problem so far? Sorry about all of the questions.

quilterj --- about the sleeve: 1) If too wide, take it in lengthwise 2) If not long enough to turn under perhaps you could add wide ribbon or bias tape to the end. Then you could add velcro or two snaps which would be hidden when turned under the board. 3} When I did not have enough fabric length on one board, I added contrasting material to both ends so the result appeared to have been planned...Hehehe

quilterj --- about stitching the tie to the end of the bow tucks bag: I stitch it on by using a rectangle -- across, down x stitches, across on bottom, up x stitches and back tack to secure the ends. With this technique, I've not had any difficulty with the ties becoming undone.

Good luck:-)

Sorry I guess I am not understanding / following the way you did your ties.

I didn't have much to choose from for the bottom of my purse...but then I found the 12 pack Pepsi cardboard! I cut it apart so that I had 4 individual pieces. Measure and cut one piece the size I needed, then cut the other 3 the same size - duck-taped them together...wrapped fabric around it, and done!

It's plenty stiff, lightweight, and feels wonderful. Now that I've done it once, I think I will always use this method. It works wonders! I only wish it were washable, but I can take the fabric off and wash it if needed (it's only glued on the back, so I can easily pull it apart).

Hope this helps :)

The plastic cutting mats you get at the dollar tree. There are
2 pieces in one package. At first I didn't think that it would be ok. Turns out that it works great.

After reading about the Bow Tucks bag pattern on here I was a bit apprehensive about making it but once I started it was very easy.