Sewing a pleated bag: It's child's play with my tutorial. The pattern comes in three practical sizes as a handbag, toiletry bag, or a stylish makeup pouch.
The most important points at a glance
- The Colette bag is casual, extravagant, charming, and glamorous
- The pleated bag is highly individual and versatile
- Instead of a handle, you can also attach webbing straps to the Maxi-Colette to wear it as a chic shoulder bag
- The pattern includes Colette in three different sizes
- You can easily download the pattern in this post
Sewing a pleated bag: French charm!
Do you know the feeling? Every now and then, I just have to sew a chic little cosmetic bag. And no matter how firmly I resolve to keep THIS ONE, the cute little bags are usually given away faster than I can blink. ;)
No wonder, they really are irresistible! ;)
Whether as a casual handbag, a spacious toiletry bag, or a sweet makeup pouch: With Colette, you've found your new favorite companion!
What inspired me to create this pattern?
The favorite author of my girlhood years, the wonderful Colette*. She writes intense yet light-footed, detailed, sensual, and wonderfully French novels. About love, life, and strong women with strong emotions.
My bag has a touch of Colette's nonchalance, her extravagance, and her sense for making a grand entrance.
It may be that my bag comes across as quite idiosyncratic and unusual. However, one thing it is not: precise, boring, or predictable.
It is a sewing adventure that you have to be willing to embark on. ;)
What makes the Colette pleated bag so special?
Colette is a bag with plenty of volume that you can also scrunch up small. Without interfacing, it is rather soft, light, and flexible. You can sew the shaping pleats deeper or shallower as you please.
In the center between the laid pleats, you can easily sew on some pretty decorative elements like yo-yo flowers, appliqués, or embroidery.
The bags are sewn without inner pockets. Instead of an inner pocket, you can wonderfully use the mini version as an organizer.
By the way, instead of a handle, you can also fit the Maxi-Colette with webbing straps to wear it as a chic shoulder bag.
What is included in the eBook?
With my tutorial and pattern, you can sew chic zippered bags with sophisticated pleats in no time – and in 3 practical sizes!
The eBook contains:
- detailed, illustrated sewing instructions
- pattern in 3 sizes for self-printing
How big are the finished pleated bags?
- Colette bag mini: approx. 20 x 25 cm
- Colette bag midi: approx. 25 x 37 cm
- Colette bag maxi: approx. 34 x 39 cm
- The size of the bags depends somewhat on how deeply you sew the pleats and whether you reinforce the fabric
What fabrics can you use to sew the pleated bag?
You can sew the bags from any non-stretch fabric.
Ideally suited are:
What you need for sewing
- 30 - 40 cm outer fabric and lining, non-stretch
- optional: 10 cm bias tape*
- optional: Vlieseline H250*
- 23 cm (mini)/27 cm (midi)/35 cm (maxi) zipper with pull*
- if applicable bag handles* for sewing on or webbing
- Erasable marker* or tailor's chalk*
- Sewing thread* (also nice in a contrasting color for topstitching!)
- Rotary cutter*
- Fabric scissors*
- Patchwork ruler*
- Sewing machine
- Pins*
The fabric with the waves is, by the way, a traditional Japanese Seigaiha fabric*, which is also suitable for many other sewing projects because it is nice and sturdy.
By the way: Nathalie sewed a particularly beautiful Colette specimen. She skillfully topstitched the pleats in different lengths. A very cool idea! Take a look:
What do you think of my Colette bag set? Let me know in the comments! :)
Happy simple sewing,
your Sabine
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the finished pleated bags?
Colette bag midi: approx. 25 x 37 cm
Colette bag maxi: approx. 34 x 39 cm
The size of the bags depends somewhat on how deeply you sew the pleats and whether you reinforce the fabric.
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