August's Box - Stripes for the Summer
In this month's box we're making the versatile Lexie Foldover Bag by Vanessa of LBG Studio Patterns! A classic folding style clutch or shoulder bag with so many possibilities, it's one of those patterns that will turn out differently every time you make it!
Lexie comes in two sizes, small and large, and in August's Busy Bagmaker box I give all the supplies to make the smaller version.
For the feature fabric, I picked out this stunning "Summer Stripe" canvas from the "Slow Summer" collection by Suzy Quilts for Art Gallery Fabrics, teamed up with almond faux leather accents. The lining fabric is in Decostitch from Art Gallery Fabrics in a seaglass blue, which coordinates beautifully with the pastel rainbow stripes.
I chose a warm brushed bronze for the bag strap hardware and zip pulls with cut-out heart detail for a pretty finish.
In her pattern, Vanessa includes a style guide with up to 20 variations to design Lexie how you would like her! You can add a faux leather trim or corner accents to the front, a slip pocket and/or welt zipped pocket to the front or back and more pockets inside, or simply leave her plain to show off the fabric.
There is also the choice of a detachable wristlet strap or shoulder strap - or make both options to suit the occasion. You could replace the fabric strap with a leather or chain strap for an elegant finish, or even leave off the strap altogether for a classic, tuck-under-the-arm clutch.
With the Lexie Foldover pattern, you will learn useful bag making techniques like installing magnetic snaps, creating slip pockets, sewing with thicker fabrics like faux leather, making an adjustable shoulder strap and wristlet strap and creating a top zip closure. (Note, the zip pulls and lining fabric shown here are different from August's box.)
There are also step-by-step instructions to add a welt zipped pocket. This is where the zipper tape edges are not visible inside the pocket and the outer threads are pulled behind for a more professional finish. It takes a little longer to achieve, but is worth the result and can be applied to any bag! Vanessa shows you how to add the zipped pocket to the front, on a slip pocket, on the back and even inside the bag. I added one to the back as it's a handy place to store a phone.
Inspired to make your own bag just like this one?
August's box includes:
- access to the Lexie Foldover Bag pattern
- 1/2 yard canvas fabric for the exterior
- 2/3 yard cotton fabric for the lining
- 9" x 18" almond faux leather contrast
- 1 yard woven cotton interfacing
- white and bronze zipper tape with two heart cut-out zipper pulls
- 20mm full bag strap hardware in brushed bronze
- 2 x 18mm bronze magnetic snaps (the extra one is in case you'd like a slip pocket on the back of the bag)
- an extra swivel snap hook for a wristlet strap or tassel
- my full length, step-by-step video tutorial to sew the Lexie at your own pace.
- a surprise useful gift made in England!
- plus access to my private Facebook group just for Busy Bagmakers.
Fancy having a go at sewing Lexie with your own supplies? Grab the pattern here and check out my blog post from when I tested her back in 2019 for more Lexie inspiration and a size comparison with the larger version.
Vanessa and I would love to see your finished Lexies! Feel free to share in my Sew Sofia Bag Patterns group and LBG Studio's group to over on Facebook.
