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Sew a peephole: Easily make a DIY reverse appliqué bag

05.04.2021 by Sabine Schmidt

Guckloch nähen: Tasche mit Reverse Appliqué ganz einfach selber machen

Sewing a peephole: Nothing could be easier! With my uncomplicated method for reverse appliqué, you can quickly and easily sew 1,000 great little things with a fun viewing window.

The most important things at a glance

  • For this method, you only need cotton woven fabric and Vlieseline H250 interfacing
  • The window is backed with a motif fabric of your choice
  • You can download the pattern for the bag for free here on the blog
  • Sewing time for the viewing window: 15 min.
  • Sewing time for the complete bag: approx. 40 min.
  • Level: Beginner

Sewing a bag with a peephole: It’s an absolute hype! And rightly so. Such a peephole is sewn quickly and gives every project an uncomplicated eye-catcher. This is partly because a contrasting fabric is used. On the other hand, the appliqué is also further highlighted by the seams. By the way, the peephole is sometimes also called "reverse appliqué."

I show you a slightly different (and equally impressive) peephole appliqué with glitter in my post Sewing a bag with glitter.

YouTube Video: How to sew a peephole

What is reverse appliqué?

The peephole is also known as reverse appliqué. Usually, an appliqué is sewn onto a fabric, for example, with a tight satin stitch. In the case of the peephole, however, a hole is cut into the main fabric and backed with a second fabric.

Sewing a peephole

Sewing talent Julia @m_aus_w_ has embellished our YAMI cosmetic bag with a peephole, take a look:

https://sewsimple.de/en/produkt/kosmetiktasche-schnittmuster-yami/

How can a beginner sew a peephole?

First, the main fabric is reinforced with Vlieseline H250. Then, you mark the position and size of the peephole on the back of the main fabric with a fabric marker. I’ll show you exactly how this works in the picture tutorial below.

Why should I sew a bag with a peephole?

Such a peephole gives a simple bag a very high-quality look and a visual highlight. And that, even though it is really uncomplicated to sew.

By the way, this technique looks really cool if you also vary the fabric structures. For example, use a sturdy canvas as the main fabric and a colorful patchwork fabric for the appliqué. Of course, you can also work tone-on-tone. There are no limits to your imagination here.

Sewing a peephole

Where can I download the free pattern?

You can get the free bag pattern here:

Sewing a peephole

What accessories do I need to sew a bag with a peephole?

Bag made of woven fabric

Appliqué

  • 1 piece of cotton fabric, approx. 1.5 cm larger all around than the planned peephole
  • 1 round object (or a compass)

Additionally

Sewing a peephole

Bind the zipper as I show in the post Binding and sewing in a zipper.

Frequently asked questions

What fabrics can I use to sew a peephole?

Woven fabrics such as cotton, linen, or canvas are best suited for this sewing technique, which is also called reverse appliqué.

What do I need to sew a peephole?

You need your main fabric and a fabric scrap for the appliqué. Also, some Vlieseline H250.

How long does it take to sew a peephole?

The reverse appliqué, i.e., the inverted appliqué, is finished in approx. 15 min.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

Instruction 1 / 3

guckloch-naehen

Sew a simple peephole

In this photo tutorial we show you step by step how to set a simple peephole (reverse appliqué) into your main fabric.

  1. Step

    Cut the fabric and draw a circle

    Cut out the lining and outer fabric.

    Then use a compass or a round object to draw a circle of any size on the wrong side of the outer fabric.

    Cut the fabric and draw a circle
  2. Step

    Cut out the centre

    Cut out the inside of the circle, leaving about 1 cm to the marking.

    You can cut with either scissors or a rotary cutter.

    Cut out the centre
  3. Step

    Clip the seam allowance

    Clip the seam allowance all the way round, up to the marking, at 1 cm intervals.

    Clip the seam allowance
  4. Step

    Press the seam allowance to the wrong side

    Press the seam allowance to the wrong side of the fabric bit by bit.

    Press the seam allowance to the wrong side
  5. Step

    Press with steam

    Then place the fabric right side up and press everything again with steam.

    Press with steam
  6. Step

    Progress check: pressed hole

    This is what it should look like now.

    Progress check: pressed hole
  7. Step

    Cut the appliqué fabric

    Cut the appliqué fabric so that the two fabrics overlap by about 1 - 1.5 cm at the edges.

    Tip: Draw the circle onto the appliqué fabric, it helps with positioning.

    Cut the appliqué fabric
  8. Step

    Place the appliqué underneath and pin it

    Place the appliqué underneath the main fabric and pin it in place.

    Place the appliqué underneath and pin it
  9. Step

    Topstitch the edge

    Sew around the edge of the appliqué a few times with a straight stitch. The lines are welcome to overlap. Choose a thread that matches the colour of the appliqué.

    Topstitch the edge
  10. Step

    Progress check: finished appliqué

    This is what the peephole should look like now.

    Progress check: finished appliqué
  11. Step

    Optional: Reinforce the appliqué

    You can also reinforce the appliqué with a little interfacing or fusible fleece.

    Optional: Reinforce the appliqué
  12. Step

    Finish the bag

    Then finish the bag as shown in the basic tutorial Sewing a cosmetic bag with divider.

    Finish the bag

Instruction 2 / 3

guckloch-naehen

Sew a double peephole

For the double version you set a second peephole into the appliqué fabric. The technique stays the same, but the effect is even more striking.

  1. Step

    Prepare the hole in the main fabric

    You need your main fabric, a piece cut for the appliqué and a small fabric scrap for the appliqué within the appliqué.

    Prepare the hole in the main fabric as in the photo tutorial above. Reinforce the appliqué fabric with Vlieseline H250.

    Prepare the hole in the main fabric
  2. Step

    Cut a hole in the appliqué fabric

    Cut a hole in the appliqué fabric and finish the edge the same way as on the main fabric (clip the seam allowance, press it over).

    Cut a hole in the appliqué fabric
  3. Step

    Press from the right side

    Press the appliqué nice and smooth again from the right side.

    Press from the right side
  4. Step

    Place the fabric scrap underneath

    Place the fabric scrap underneath the inner hole. Again, it should extend 1 - 1.5 cm beyond the edge of the hole.

    A little more doesn't hurt, we can trim it afterwards.

    Place the fabric scrap underneath
  5. Step

    Stitch the inside in place

    Stitch the fabric scrap in place all the way round, as before.

    Stitch the inside in place
  6. Step

    Insert into the main fabric

    Then insert the finished double appliqué into the main fabric and stitch it in place.

    Insert into the main fabric
  7. Step

    Done: double peephole

    The effect is amazing.

    Done: double peephole

Instruction 3 / 3

guckloch-naehen

Sew a triple peephole

You can take the technique to the extreme and set several peepholes side by side. The only important thing is to leave enough space between them, otherwise the fabric becomes unstable.

  1. Step

    Add several small peepholes

    Place several smaller peepholes next to each other. Make sure there is enough space between the holes, otherwise the whole thing becomes too unstable.

    Add several small peepholes
  2. Step

    Finish all the peepholes

    Work all the peepholes using the same technique as for the single peephole.

    Finish all the peepholes
  3. Step

    Stabilise with Vlieseline

    To keep everything nice and stable, back the peepholes with Vlieseline H250 afterwards.

    Stabilise with Vlieseline
  4. Step

    Extra tip: elastic in the lining

    Sew a piece of elastic into the lining of the bag — very handy for keeping pens, cosmetics etc. neatly stored.

    Simply stitch the elastic in place with straight stitches. Stitch it on in several small sections, then you'll have mascara, cream tubes and the like close at hand.

    Extra tip: elastic in the lining
  5. Step

    Loop in the side seam

    Optional: Fold a 5 cm wide fabric strip in half with the edges folded in, topstitch along the long edges and catch it in the side seam as a loop. This makes it easy to hang up the bag.

    Loop in the side seam
  6. Step

    Add a zipper pull extension

    You can also add an extension to the zipper pull. We show the knot technique in the tutorial Sewing a foldable bag.

    Add a zipper pull extension

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.