Burda Style For people who sew

Here's another method to lining the Charlie Bag. A bit more work than the other methods, but the result is so nice! This bag may be too nice for groceries... You may use it as your favorite purse.

Technique Materials

Charlie pattern, 1 yard of self for outer bag, 1 yard fabric for lining.

• Intro
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13

• Add to my toolkit
• ShareThis
• Print Page
• Get Instructions (PDF, 5.6 MB)

• Tweet
• 

20 Comments Sign in to add a post

• 

  Dec 19, 2012, 06.35 PMby hlm0401

  I have made this bag many times now and it’s always a hit, but I always spend 30 minutes or so just figuring out step 5 again each time. I made one again this week and finally came up with what I felt was missing, for me,in the step 5 instructions. When I’m reaching through the lining to grab the seam allowance and pull it back through, the handle needs to be formed like the finished product will look. That means that I put the "shoulder"seams together, wrong sides together, fold the side seam allowance under and finger press it. That fold is what I grab and pull through. Then you can easily tuck that inside the other half of the handle and start sewing. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to continue pulling the handle through like turning a tube and go all the way around in one pass.
• 

  Jun 14, 2012, 02.27 PMby wintersky

  I liked this idea but when lining the bag I had no idea how it was done here so made an alternative option instead :)
• 

  Mar 19, 2010, 05.16 AMby rogue-cellist

  When I read all the comments saying how difficult this was to follow I was a bit concerned- I actually spent quite a bit of time last night after cutting out the fabric but before starting to sew thinking of ways to finish it off if I couldn’t get this to work… What I found was that when I actually did exactly what was written the handle technique was quite simple but I did have to think about it a bit. The pouch definitely needs enlarging to fit the lined bag comfortably. If you get really stuck and just can’t figure it out try binding the handle edges with matching bias binding- you will still get a lined, well finished bag.

  1 Reply

  • 

    Mar 19, 2010, 11.42 AMby Nicolle Isabel

    I felt the same way but decided to go for it with some clearance fabric I found at Walmart. Following the directions exactly it was a piece of cake.

• 

  Feb 2, 2010, 03.38 PMby yoga-girl

  I made a video from step 5-9, however, I don’t know how to upload on burdastyle.com. So, tell me and I’ll do the upload!
• 

  Dec 19, 2009, 08.42 PMby eamelia

  I know this has been said before but this is very confusing. Could someone, anyone please clarify. Maybe a video tutorial would be helpful. Thanks!
• 

  Nov 17, 2009, 11.33 AMby Oluchi O.

  I just don’t get it. I have half a bag but step 5 to 9 make no sense at all.
• 

  Sep 8, 2009, 01.14 AMby miawalles

  Dear sewing community! I would love to make Charlie bag, but the pattern is missing.I tried to obtain it from the older site (BurdaStyle), to no avail: every time I try to print the page or download something, I get a page with request to log in, which fails every time. But everybody seems to have the pattern. :0) Where can I find this cute patten? Really want to make it! :0) mia_walles@yahoo.com

  2 Replies

  • 

    Sep 8, 2009, 11.54 PMby jude3944

    jude3944@hotmail.com email me

  • 

    Oct 5, 2009, 08.08 PMby alk45

    Hi :)
    I’ve had the exact same problem as you. Would you be able to email it to me if you find the pattern??

    Thanks!
    ps. killickaniella@yahoo.com.au

• 

  Jul 4, 2009, 06.18 PMby kai

  Man, I am really sad I tried this. I hope I can salvage some of my fabric :o(.
• 

  Jul 4, 2009, 06.12 PMby kai

  AARGH! No sense! I give up!
• 

  Jul 4, 2009, 02.01 PMby kai

  Man, these photos just make absolutely no sense to me! I have no idea what you’re trying to show and the directions don’t clarify much…Argh! I’ll try again after a break.
• 

  Apr 26, 2009, 02.53 AMby semiregular

  This is actually much easier than it sounds and much quicker than other methods that I’ve tried. Thanks for the instruction. :-)
• 

  Jan 14, 2009, 07.33 AMby colleenybambeeny

  I just joined a few days ago and Im confused- is there not a pattern that goes along with this or am I just not seeing it?

  1 Reply

  • 

    Dec 20, 2009, 06.21 AMby jichiffen

    its right here :
    http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/charlie-reusable-grocery-bag

• 

  Jan 8, 2009, 08.02 AMby bomydaly

  It is a bit tricky. Another way to try it is at step one, sew both sides of both bags together, but don’t sew the tops of the straps together yet (in other words, leave your handles unconnected on top so that they are still two separate pieces). When you put the bags inside each other, right sides together, first only sew the two bags together along the bottoms of the handles. Does that make any sense? Don’t sew up any of the handles yet. Sew along the top of the bag (all the rounded curves) but stop before you go very far up the handles. Then, when you turn the bag right side out, you can sew the tops of the handles right sides together so that they’re connected on top. (you don’t need to leave an opening in the lining for turning the bag this way, because you can turn the bag through the open handles). After you’re bag is turned completely right side out and the handles are connected on top, you can use an iron to press in the edges of all the handles, the same seem allowance as you sewed the bottom of the handles, and then simply top stitch all the handles of both bags together. I don’t know if this is helpful without pictures. I actually stopped making the handles and cut the pattern off at the start of the handles and replaced them with one-inch wide cotton webbing straps instead b/c I hate ironing and matching up edges, etc. I have some pictures of that version in my profile. Sorry if I’ve only confused people more…
• 

  Dec 25, 2008, 11.42 AMby dandelion106

  the handle part is confusing me too! can you explain?
• 

  Dec 18, 2008, 04.47 PMby calantha

  Hm. I’m totally lost on the inner handle part… If anyone can comment to shed some light, I’d be grateful!
• 

  Aug 29, 2008, 07.22 AMby bungaloe

  when you sew the outer handles – do you sew continuously over handle to handle? or do you start from one handle (right at the seam where the handles are joined to each other) go around the body of the bag and up the other handle and stop at the seam where the handles are sewn together? to kinda leave that area clear for flipping and making the sandwich.
• 

  Jul 8, 2008, 12.10 PMby emagggie

  After a lovely supper all became clear and I can’t believe how easy it was!! I just had to think’inside out’! It’s great and next step is to make one in leather (unlined).
• 

  Jul 8, 2008, 10.56 AMby emagggie

  For some reason I just can’t do this! Going to have a glass of wine and another go later
• 

  Jun 27, 2008, 08.52 AMby anek

  this reminds me of the “trick” you have to use with the franzi vest, I should try the charlie pattern some time. it looks really good with lining.
• 

  Jun 25, 2008, 09.54 PMby ashaan

  Wow! Neat.