Today, I’m ecstatic to present you to a new pattern, The Rockstar Bag! This is a good-sized bag, but without being too large. When I wrote this pattern, I decided to put as many details on the bag as I possibly could, so it’s got: detailed handles, (optional) rivets, a strap, a diagonal zippered flap, optional piping, lining zippered pockets, top zip closure, the works. I think it has sort of a retro feel to it. So I would classify it as an intermediate-level sewing pattern, although I must admit that it is not a short pattern. The finished size of the bag is 9-1/2” long x 10” tall x 7” deep.
The pattern contains the templates needed to make the bag, with 23 pages of instructions and 55 full-color step step photos. A paper pattern is also available.
Supplies needed to make The Rockstar Bag:
3/4 yard of Exterior Fabric
3/4 yard of solid fabric for the straps/piping (piping is optional, but solid fabric is still needed for straps)
1 yard of Lining Fabric
3 yards of 20” wide Pellon SF-101 Shape Flex fusible woven interfacing (or light-weight fusible interfacing)
1/2 yard of By Annie’s Soft and Stable, available at local quilt shops or on-line
(Soft and Stable is a 1/8” thick, foam sew-in interfacing; one of my testers also recommends automotive headliner fabric in place of the Soft and Stable; you can also substitute a needled fleece fusible interfacing for the Soft and Stable, such as Pellon #TP971F Thermolam Plus fusible interfacing)
Optional: 11” x 4-3/4” piece of Pellon #70 Peltex sew-in extra-firm interfacing (for a firm bottom)
Optional: 2 yards of 5/32” cotton cording (cut in half for two 1-yard pieces for piping)
Two metal swivel clips (with opening of 3/4” or 1” wide)
Four d-rings (with opening of 1-1/4” wide)
Two d-rings (with opening of 3/4” or 1” wide)
1/2” magnetic snap
11” or 12” regular zipper
Two 9” regular zippers
7” regular zipper
Optional: 4 metal purse feet
Optional: metal rivets with press (I used 8mm double cap rivets and press from MinkusMargo on Etsy)
I usually have quite a few testers for each pattern; I sent out another pattern for testing last month (I know you’re anxiously awaiting my Crimson and Clover train cases pattern – I apologize for the wait, I promise it’ll just be a bit longer. The pattern is all ready, but I decided to use some special fabrics for the pattern cover which have not been shown yet by the fabric designer, so I’m trying really hard not to go all rogue on them, lol) and my pattern testers have really pulled out all the stops lately. Between going through the train case pattern tester notes and the Rockstar Bag pattern tester notes, I’ve gotten a bit misty-eyed looking at all of the finished bags. I am so proud of everyone’s bags and their sewing skills at making them, and I can honestly say that many of these are sewn much better than I sewed my own bag; they are just beyond beautiful!! Silly as it sounds, when I look through all of these pictures I feel like I’m looking through a family album or something; “look at this one!” and “look how they did the strap, see that?” and “wow isn’t this brilliant!” I couldn’t have done any of this without my pattern testers and I hope that they are enjoying the bags that they worked so hard on! So without further ado, here are the bags as made by my pattern testers!
Sylvia made her bag in materials that clearly scream “rockstar”, and with the quilted flap instead of the optional rivets. Love the finished look (also, she has Marimekko converse which I am jealous of).
Ree made her bag out of her tall son’s outgrown jeans! Not only stylish but a great memory to carry around with you. 🙂 She also added her signature self-designed bow, which makes it perfectly pretty!
Liz from Moments… made this gorgeous Rockstar bag with leather straps and handles. I am always quite envious of someone who is brave enough to sew with leather and turn in such beautiful results! As always, Liz has turned in a bag to perfection!
Cyndi from The Nosy Pepper made her bag in a dark floral with pops of color. This is super sweet and pressed to perfection, beautiful work Cyndi!
Mary made her bag in a beautiful tapestry fabric, with a cherry red piping that really sets off the main fabrics. Lovely work on this one, Mary!!
Lori made this gorgeous minty Rockstar Bag using coordinating polka dots for the straps and piping – so pretty, wonderful work on this one, Lori!
Donna made her bag out of a graphic black chevron with bright orange detailing, and I would be hard-pressed to take a second look at this photo and not be able to tell that this is a handmade bag!
Maria of Beautiful Blooms made her bag out of a pretty purple Donegal tweed, and thus her daughter renamed her bag the ‘Classic Rockstar Bag’! The tweed was purchased from a shop there, where they wove their own and you could watch the weaving; how fun!!
Alisha from Crafty Brooklyn Army Wife made this beautiful bag in probably the most suitable fabric (and backdrop) I have seen! I love it, and sort of want it for myself! You can read more about Alisha’s bag here!
Laura made her bag in Alexander Henry skulls fabric for her 11-year-old daughter. I can absolutely see a junior-high aged girl carrying this around and having the best bag in her class. Lovely, and so happy that this bag is getting some instant use!
Chloe from Deadly Craft made her Rockstar Bag out of this gorgeous yellow fabric. She says, “It’s the best bag I ever made!” I saw her friends’ comments on Facebook and they all seemed to agree that the bag was awesome. Well, I do too!!! You can read more about Chloe’s bag on her blog here.
Deborah made this pretty Rockstar Bag with a bright print accented with black and white chevron. I love the unexpected pop that the black and white gives to the main print, great job Deborah!
Gayle made this gorgeous dark bag with the pretty free motion quilting on the flap and the pop of bright with the polka dot handles! I love it, and it is pressed to perfection!
Donna made this beautiful bag and what’s yet, she’s discovered a new bit of ‘purse hardware’ that’s both inexpensive and widely available. Instead of rivets on her bag, she used metal paper fasteners that you can buy at the drugstore or office supply store. I remember using these in school as a kid. Genius idea!
Carol made this beautiful yellow and gray version of the Rockstar bag. I love the dark straps with this bag, and it’s absolutely beautifully finished! Great work Carol!
Marta made her bag out of a large graphic print, and it’s super cute with the neutral black straps! Just lovely Marta!
T. from Hoop Artist made this bag in a sparkly chevron with some awesome neon zippers. It’s just bling on top of bling with this bag!
Kristi from Schnitzel and Boo made this leopard-print bag with roses in the lining, reminiscent of Anna Maria Horner’s fabrics. I love it, it looks very sassy and modern!
Teresa made this adorable Rockstar Bag, posing it appropriately with her vintage Singer sewing machine! I love the pretty red detailing, and Teresa’s also added a cute side pocket on the side panel too!
Fiona made her bag in a cute fashion garments fabric, accenting with a matching zipper and handles/straps. It’s so lovely with the subtle green piping too!
Pam of Hip to Be a Square Podcast made her bag out of Valori Wells ‘Cocoon’ fabrics. The bag looks so gorgeous out there in the sunshine. 🙂
Allison from Allison Sews made this bag in Lizzy House fabric with a soft gray handle and strap. It’s utterly gorgeous and I had a hard time deciding which photo to use for my blog post, but I think this one shows off the bag nicely. 🙂
Jessy from Auntie Matter made this cosmic bag using some tiny-dot fabrics, and it is gorgeous! The piping looks awesome, and an overall beautiful finish!
Ami-May from Stitching Insane made this awesome floral version with contrasting stitching on the handles and strap. Beautifully done, Ami-May!
Lorena from My Way Of… made her bag out of this bright text fabric, accenting the handles with the metal rivets. To turn her handles right sides out, Lorena recommends this tutorial on Youtube.
Krista made this gorgeous bag out of seaside fabric with some lovely brown suede for the handles and straps. It’s so pretty with the rivets, and Krista swapped out the d-rings for some o-rings. Love this Krista!
Thank you everyone! If you are interested in purchasing the Rockstar Bag sewing pattern, it is now available in my pattern shop!
I love this bag! The testers who made samples were so creative, I would hate to choose my favorite, all were wonderful. Thanks for sharing these photos.
Lovely bags! I have to make one of these soon :)!
Way to go testers!!! Your bags are spectacular! Congrats 🙂 Sara, it’s a pure pleasure to test for such a talented designer. Thank you for trusting us with your hard work! xo Cindy
Wow! Just. Wow! They are ALL Rockstars! Best collection of test-bags I’ve seen.
So many great variations, nice work everyone! Congrats on the new pattern release too, Sara!!
Its so nice bag I love it
Oh there are some truly cool versions. Well done all of you!
Can’t wait to make one of my own!
Omg not only is the bag awesome but the tester bags! I’m swooning
This bag is amazing!!! The details are fantastic and it can be styled so many ways using different fabrics. And I love your love for your testers 🙂
Wow! Congratulations! They all look awesome and very professional. I’m so sorry I couldn’t test this time. Great design!
I love seeing the different variations. They all make the bag look so different! Its really cool to see how different fabrics and personal touches change up the look of the bag.
Loving the zip in the flap look!
Such a great pattern – I feel like I’m in a boutique with all those different fabrics. Beautiful!
There are so many great versions of this bag! I love them all.
Wow!! All the samples came out fantastic! Congratulations on another awesome bag release! Look forward to making one of my own. It is a very unique shape, so professional looking as usual
I love the Rockstar bag Sara – as always you come up with new and greater bags – love to see all the samples made by your testers. Congratulations on a new successful pattern.
I look forward to seeing the tester bags almost as much as I look forward to seeing a new pattern from you. I am so happy that I do not have to pick a favorite, it would be just so hard. I really enjoy seeing all of those small variations that your testers do. Thanks for sharing
What a gorgeous bag! Love the many looks done by your testers. If you are ever short of testers, let me know. I have been sewing for over 40 years and test for several other bag makers. I love the testing process.
This was a really fun bag to make. Thank you Sara for letting me be one of your testers. Its amazing to see how fabric choices change the look of a pattern. I hope this is very successful for you. I look forward to working with you again in the future.
I really wish there were photos of the inside of the bags. I am having a terrible time covering the inside seams and I consider myself an advanced bag maker. I am disappointed because it looks so nice from the outside. I’ll keep trying!
It is amazing how different they look. Great pattern.
I missed this post the first time around. I love the look of the bag, but you know me 😉 – what does the inside look like?
Hi, I have just made this bag & I absolutely love it, except that I find the opening into the main inner section very small so although there is a lot of space inside , getting stuff in & out is a bit restricted. I am thinking of trying to incorporate a longer zip that would continue alongside the piping. I think it could be tricky to do but I’ll give it a go. The inner section has a zippered pocket front & back & there is a generous amount of space within.
Invoice ID: SS-11778 I ordered the as a pdf last night paying by PayPal but nothing has come through yet, how long does it usually take? I guess i am used to these things being automatic and pretty much instant. Thank you.
Video tutorial would be nice! I’m so frustrated right now with the zipper flap. It just doesn’t go together how it is written. I was so looking forward to this bag too.