Creating a handbag from two different colored fabrics is a fantastic way to add visual interest, showcase your fabric choices, and make a truly unique accessory. This guide will walk you through making a stylish tote bag design where one color forms the main body and another contrasting color forms a striking bottom panel.
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How to Sew a Stylish Handbag from Two-Colored Fabric
This method focuses on creating a clean, structured tote that highlights the two different fabrics. It's an approachable project for beginners, relying on straightforward cuts and seams.
I. What Makes This Design Simple & Stylish?
Distinct Color Blocking: The use of two different fabrics creates a modern and appealing color-blocked effect.
Simple Shapes: We'll primarily use rectangles, making cutting and sewing easy.
Lined Interior: A full lining gives the bag a professional finish and hides all raw seams.
Sturdy Construction: Interfacing adds body and durability.
II. Gather Your Materials
Choosing your fabrics is key to the style! Think about contrasting colors, complementary patterns, or different textures (e.g., solid canvas with patterned cotton).
Main Fabric (Color 1 - Top/Main Body):
Recommendation: 1 yard (0.9 meters) of medium-to-heavy weight fabric.
Stylish Choices: Canvas, duck cloth, denim, linen blends, or a durable home décor fabric. This will be the predominant color/pattern of your bag.
Contrast Fabric (Color 2 - Bottom Panel):
Recommendation: 1/2 yard (0.5 meters) of a fabric with similar weight to your main fabric.
Stylish Choices: Something that either boldly contrasts or beautifully complements Color 1. This could be a different solid color, a geometric print, or even a textured fabric like faux leather for the bottom for extra durability.
Lining Fabric:
Recommendation: 1.5 yards (1.4 meters) of lightweight cotton or poly-cotton. Choose a color or print that complements both exterior fabrics.
Interfacing (Recommended):
Recommendation: 1.5 yards (1.4 meters) of medium-weight fusible interfacing (e.g., Pellon SF101 Shape-Flex).
Why: This is crucial for adding structure and body to your pieced exterior panels, making your bag look crisp and professional.
Webbing for Handles:
Recommendation: 2 to 2.5 yards (1.8 to 2.3 meters) of 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) wide cotton or polypropylene webbing. Choose a color that ties in with both of your fabrics.
Alternative: You can make fabric handles from either of your main fabrics for a coordinated look.
Thread: All-purpose polyester thread that matches or blends well with both your main and contrast fabrics.
Basic Sewing Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Fabric Shears or Rotary Cutter and Mat
Quilting Ruler
Fabric Chalk or Mark-B-Gone Pen
Plenty of Pins or Fabric Clips (clips are great for bulkier seams)
Iron and Ironing Board
Seam Ripper (every sewist's friend!)
III. Plan Your Size & Cut Your Fabric
Let's aim for a finished bag size of approximately 14 inches wide x 16 inches tall x 4 inches deep (35.5 cm x 40.5 cm x 10 cm). We'll use a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance throughout.
A. Calculating Panel Sizes for Two Colors:
The total height of our combined exterior panel (before boxing corners) needs to be:
Finished Height (16") + Finished Depth (4") + (2 * Seam Allowance) = 16" + 4" + 1" = 21 inches.
Let's divide this 21 inches so Color 1 is the main upper part (e.g., 2/3) and Color 2 is the bottom (e.g., 1/3).
Total Height for Color 1: (2/3 of 21") = 14 inches.
Total Height for Color 2: (1/3 of 21") = 7 inches.
Now, adjust for the seam where they join: We'll lose 1 inch (two 1/2" seam allowances) at the joining seam. So, add 1/2" to each cut piece's height where they will connect.
Color 1 Cut Height: 14" + 0.5" (for joining seam) = 14.5 inches
Color 2 Cut Height: 7" + 0.5" (for joining seam) = 7.5 inches
Check: 14.5" + 7.5" = 22". After sewing the seam (losing 1"), the combined height is 21", which is correct.
The width for both will be:
Finished Width (14") + Finished Depth (4") + (2 * Seam Allowance) = 14" + 4" + 1" = 19 inches.
B. Your Cut Pieces:
Main Exterior Fabric (Color 1): Cut 2 rectangles, each 19 inches wide x 14.5 inches high (48.3 cm x 36.8 cm).
Contrast Exterior Fabric (Color 2): Cut 2 rectangles, each 19 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (48.3 cm x 19 cm).
Lining Fabric: Cut 2 rectangles, each 19 inches wide x 21 inches high (48.3 cm x 53.3 cm).
Interfacing: Cut 2 rectangles, each 18 inches wide x 20 inches high (45.7 cm x 50.8 cm) (1 inch smaller than the combined exterior panel on all sides to keep bulk out of seams).
Webbing for Handles: Cut 2 pieces, each 25 inches (63.5 cm) long. (Adjust length to your preferred handle drop, 25-30 inches is common).
IV. Let's Start Sewing!
General Sewing Tips for Two-Colored Fabric:
Press as you go! This is crucial, especially when joining two pieces to create a crisp seam.
Consistent Seam Allowance: Be precise with your 1/2" seam allowance to ensure panels align correctly.
Topstitching: Use a slightly longer stitch length (2.8 - 3.2 mm) for topstitching; it looks neater.
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Step 1: Join the Exterior Fabric Panels
This creates your two-colored front and back bag pieces.
Take one Color 1 panel and one Color 2 panel. Place them right sides together, aligning one 19-inch raw edge of the Color 1 panel with one 19-inch raw edge of the Color 2 panel. (Make sure Color 1 is on top and Color 2 is on the bottom as you imagine the finished bag).
Pin securely along this joining seam.
Using a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance, stitch across the entire length of the seam.
Press the seam open to reduce bulk.
Topstitch the joining seam: On the right side of your combined panel, sew two lines of topstitching – one on each side of the joining seam, about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) away from the seam line. This not only looks professional but also helps the seam lie flat and emphasizes the color block.
Repeat for the second Color 1 and Color 2 panel to create your second combined exterior panel.
Result: You now have two distinct, two-colored exterior bag panels.
Step 2: Fuse Interfacing & Attach Handles
Take your interfacing pieces and fuse them to the wrong side of your combined exterior panels following the manufacturer's instructions. Center the interfacing so there's about a 1/2-inch border of fabric (without interfacing) around all edges.
Take one combined exterior panel (right side up). Measure in from each side edge along the top by about 4 inches (10 cm) and mark these points.
Take one webbing handle. Align one end of the webbing with your mark on the top raw edge of the fabric. Ensure the webbing is flat and not twisted. Repeat for the other end of the same webbing handle on the other mark. Pin securely.
Stitch the handles in place with two lines of stitching within the 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance (e.g., 1/4" and 3/8" from the raw edge). Backstitch multiple times at the beginning and end of each stitch line, and consider an "X-box" stitch for extra reinforcement, as these handles will bear weight.
Repeat for the second combined exterior panel and the second webbing handle.
Step 3: Construct the Main Bag Body (Exterior)
Place the two combined Exterior Panels right sides together, aligning all edges. Your handles should be tucked neatly inside.
Pin along both side edges and the bottom edge.
Using a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance, stitch from one top corner down the side, pivot at the bottom corner, stitch across the bottom, pivot again, and stitch up the other side to the top corner. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
Press your seams open to reduce bulk.
Step 4: Box the Corners of the Main Bag Body
This step gives your bag a flat bottom, creating depth and structure.
Lay the main bag body flat with the side and bottom seams pressed open.
At one of the bottom corners, bring the side seam and the bottom seam together, aligning them perfectly. This will create a triangular shape at the corner.
Measure from the tip of this triangle inward along the seam line a distance equal to half of your desired bag depth (e.g., for a 4-inch depth, measure 2 inches / 5 cm).
Draw a straight line perpendicular to the seam at this measurement point. This is your stitching line.
Pin along this drawn line.
Stitch along the drawn line, backstitching securely.
Trim the excess fabric from the corner, leaving about a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance.
Repeat for the other bottom corner of the main bag body.Result: Your main bag now has a defined, flat bottom. Keep it wrong side out.
Step 5: Construct the Lining Bag Body
Place the two Lining Fabric panels right sides together, aligning all edges.
Pin along both side edges and the bottom edge.
Using a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance, stitch down one side seam.
CRUCIAL: For the bottom seam, you MUST leave an opening! Stitch for about 3 inches (7.5 cm) from one side, then leave a 6-8 inch (15-20 cm) unstitched gap in the middle of the bottom seam. Stitch for another 3 inches (7.5 cm) to the other side seam. Backstitch well at the start and end of the stitched sections around your opening. This opening is absolutely essential for turning the entire bag right side out later.
Stitch up the second side seam.
Press your seams open.
Box the Corners of the Lining Bag: Box the corners of the lining bag using the exact same method you did for the main bag (refer back to Step 4).Result: Your lining bag is now constructed, with that vital turning opening at the bottom. Keep it wrong side out.
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Step 6: Join Main Bag and Lining (The "Bag-in-a-Bag" Method)
This clever technique encloses all raw seams for a clean, professional finish.
Ensure your main bag body is right side out.
Ensure your lining bag body is wrong side out (and still has that opening in its bottom seam).
Carefully insert the main bag body into the lining bag body. The right sides of both bags should now be facing each other. Your handles should be tucked neatly between the two layers.
Align the side seams of the main bag with the side seams of the lining bag.
Align the top raw edges of the main bag and the lining bag all around the entire opening. Pin securely all the way around this top edge, matching seams precisely.
Using your 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance, stitch all the way around the entire top opening of the bag. Go slowly and carefully, especially when you go over the bulky handle attachment points. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.
Trim & Clip: To reduce bulk, trim the seam allowance at the top down to about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm).
Step 7: Turn Bag Right Side Out & Finish
The exciting moment your two-colored bag comes to life!
Reach through the opening you left in the bottom seam of the lining.
Slowly and carefully pull the entire bag (main body, lining, handles) through this opening until it is completely right side out. Take your time, gently push out all the corners of both the main bag and the lining to get a crisp, well-defined shape.
Close the Lining Opening: Go to your ironing board. Press the raw edges of the opening in the bottom of the lining under by 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) so they meet neatly. Align these pressed edges and pin them together. Stitch this opening closed by machine (sewing very close to the folded edge for a neat finish) or by hand using an invisible ladder stitch for a truly seamless look.
Now, push the lining down into the bag.
Final Press & Topstitch: Carefully press the entire top edge of the bag. Make sure the lining is fully tucked inside and isn't peeking out over the top edge of the main fabric. For a super polished and durable finish, topstitch all around the entire top edge of the bag, about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) from the edge. This final topstitching secures the lining, helps the bag hold its shape, and adds that polished touch.
V. Styling Tips for Your Two-Colored Bag
Complementary vs. Contrasting: Choose colors that either harmoniously blend (e.g., two shades of blue) or boldly contrast (e.g., black and white, or yellow and grey) for different stylistic effects.
Pattern Play: Pair a solid color with a patterned fabric that contains that solid color.
Textural Contrast: Use a smooth cotton for the main body and a faux leather or corduroy for the bottom panel.
Hardware: Add a tassel, charm, or a fancy key ring to one of the handles for an extra touch of style.
You've now created a fantastic, stylish, and unique handbag from two different colored fabrics! Enjoy your handmade creation.
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