POPPY

• Print and assemble your PDF pattern (click here if it’s your first time buying a pattern from us and you’re not sure how it works)
• Cut out your pattern (using your paper scissors), then pin it to your main fabric

⚠️ Make sure to place the pattern “on the fold” at the bottom of the bag. Fold your fabric in half as shown in your cutting layout and pin carefully

➡️ Don’t forget to follow the grainline, as always !

• Cut out your main fabric, following the pattern lines (this time with your fabric scissors)
• Repeat these steps with your batting and lining pieces

• Place your main fabric on top of the batting, with the right side of the fabric facing you, and pin carefully
• Sew all around using a zigzag stitch (always test your stitch on a scrap before starting)

➡️ As always, remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching

💡 At the corners, it’s easy : leave the needle in the fabric, lift the presser foot, rotate the fabric, lower the presser foot, then continue sewing normally all around

Now it’s time to sew the side seams of the bag.

• Fold the bag in half, right sides together, making sure the edges are aligned
• Pin the sides to hold both pieces together
• Sew straight along the edge, 1 cm from the raw edge

➡️ Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end to secure your seams

• Repeat these steps exactly with your lining fabric

• Turn the bag right side out and slip the lining (still wrong side out) inside. Take your time to carefully align the seams and corners

➡️ You want the wrong side of the lining to face the wrong side of the bag, so the seam allowances are hidden between the two layers

To keep the lining from shifting, we’ll secure it with two small hand stitches at the bottom corners of the bag :

• Using a needle and thread, make two hand stitches directly into the seam allowances — stitch once into the lining’s seam allowance and once into the bag’s seam allowance
• Leave a little slack in the thread to avoid any tension or unwanted folds : let about 2 inches (5 cm) of thread hang loosely between the lining and the main fabric

➡️ Thanks to these two anchoring stitches, your lining will stay neatly inside the bag. This is a very common method you may have seen used in coats as well.

• Pin carefully all along the top of the bag, making sure to align the lining with the main fabric
• Stitch all the way around, ¼ inch (0.7 cm) from the edge — and as always, don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end

➡️ Remember : here, the wrong side of the lining is facing the wrong side of the bag, so the seam allowances are neatly hidden inside

To give your < poppy > bag a beautiful finish, we recommend using bias binding. This finishing technique is similar to standard bias binding, but the binding is completely folded inside so it’s not visible from the outside.

🎥 If you’ve never heard of “bias” or “bias binding” before, we suggest checking out our video tutorial above on this page —you’ll understand it much better than with any diagram here 😊

• Cut two strips of binding, each 4 cm wide, from your lining fabric. Make sure they’re long enough to cover the entire length of the strap (one strip for each side, hence two strips)
• Fold each strip in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together, then press to set the fold
• Pin these two strips along the strap, right sides together with the main fabric, carefully aligning the raw edges
• Stitch straight along the edge, 1/2 inch (1 cm) from the raw edge, and remember to backstitch at the beginning and end as usual
• Trim along the seam allowance with your fabric scissors
• Fold the binding up for the first time and press to flatten
• Then, fold the binding completely to the inside of the bag : the main fabric will fold over itself, and you should leave a tiny bit of the binding (about a millimeter) sticking out to help keep it neatly in place inside the bag
• Finally, topstitch along the seam line for a flawless, invisible finish from the outside

You’ve made it to the final step !

• Pin both ends of the strap, right sides together, carefully aligning the edges
• Stitch straight, 1 cm (about 3/8 inch) from the edge
• You can now finish with a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying, or add binding for a more professional look

And there you have it — your bag is finished !

We hope you enjoyed spending this time with us and that you’re happy with the result 👜

Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram with the hashtags #disclothedbyme and #poppybag — we love seeing your creations !

PS: If your Instagram profile is private, we won’t be able to see your photos even if you tag us. Feel free to share your photos with us via private message in that case ! We can’t wait to see your finished bag and wish you a wonderful day 🪡