BUY NOW*
$10

*Please read the instructions below before purchasing.

DESCRIPTION
The Bonsai Bag Sewing Pattern is a digital PDF sewing pattern. The Bonsai Bag is a medium-sized tote perfect for showing off a favorite fabric, a quilted panel or an embroidery sample. The pleated outer panel helps frame the center with optional contrast trim such as pompoms, ric-rac, piping or lace. This fully lined bag includes an inner pocket and a magnetic snap closure. Detailed instructions are also included for a recessed zipper closure. Tied handles and decorative rings add a fun and professional look.

with pompom trim and blue baby wale corduroy outer panel (fabric: Heather Ross Far Far Away)

with pompom trim and brown linen outer panel (fabric: Anna Maria Horner’s Good Folks)

with ric rac trim and pink baby wale corduroy outer panel

with a quilted center panel and no trim (fabric: Denyse Schmidt Katie Jump Rope)

FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Purse: 11” tall x 14” wide
Straps: about 24” when tied, includes rings and tabs

with a magnetic snap closure (I added an extra pocket on this bag)

instructions are also included for a recessed zipper closure

 

PATTERN FILE INCLUDES
Detailed step-by-step instructions
Instructions for two types of closures: magnetic snap AND recessed zipper
Full color diagrams and photos illustrating each step, including multiple views of select steps
Handy “Instruction Cheat Sheet,” a brief one-page summary of the steps so you don’t have to print entire file for reference
Complete set of full-sized pattern pieces (print out and attach together before cutting)
Hints and tips for sewing the Bonsai Bag
License page with information for handmade sellers (see below)

YOU WILL NEED 

• 1/3 yard of fabric for center panels
• 1/3 yard of fabric for straps (if using the same fabric as pleated outer panel, you’ll need 2/3 yd total)
• 1/4 yard of bottom-weight fabric (corduroy, linen, twill, home dec) for pleated outer panel and ring tabs
• 1/2 yard of lining fabric
• 1/3 yard canvas, flannel, or heavy-weight fusible interfacing (such as Decor Bond) for reinforcing center panels and straps
• one magnetic snap and two 2” squares of fusible interfacing (only if using magnetic snap)
• OR one 14” zipper
• one package of four plastic purse rings (you could also use metal or wood rings here)
• 1/2 yard of trim such as pompoms, ric-rac, or lace

Remember to prewash your fabric!

Purse rings can be found at your local craft superstore:

A quick note about pompom trim: I prefer to use the kind where the pompoms are closer together because you get a fuller look around the center panels.  To tell the difference, look at the way the pompoms are attached to the base of the trim: if the two strands are separate (top) the poms will be further apart; if the two strands are together (bottom) the poms will be closer together. 

HOW DOES INSTANT DOWNLOAD WORK? 
This sewing pattern comes to you as a PDF that you download instantly after payment and print from your computer.  A color printer is recommended, but not required.

When you click on the “Buy Now” button, you will be brought to a payment page so you can pay with Paypal or a credit/debit card through Paypal. Once you make your payment, click on the incredibly tiny “complete your purchase” link to download the pattern.  You will also receive an email with a download link. These links expire, so make sure you download your pattern right away!  The links are sent to your Paypal email, so make sure that is up-to-date before you purchase.

Please note that if you pay by eCheck your payment does not go through for 5-7 business days, which means you will not get your pattern instantly.  Choose another payment method than eCheck if you want your pattern right away.  If you don’t mind waiting, then eCheck is fine!

For those with little experience downloading and printing PDF files, I would suggest a test download with one of the free patterns on my blog (see left sidebar) before purchase to make sure you have the correct software. A recent version of Adobe Reader is recommended.

SELLING BONSAI BAGS
Home sewists who purchase this pattern may sell handmade Bonsai Bags made with this pattern provided they give design credit on tags or listings and register their shop or business once ready to sell.  More details can be found on the license page included in the PDF.

In the past I have offered licensed copies of a pattern (with permission to sell) separately from personal-use-only versions of the pattern.  I am finding this to be a little too confusing.  I am now offering my new patterns with permission to sell included with purchase.  Free patterns will still be intended for personal use only. 

WANT TO SEE MORE BONSAI?
The Bonsai Bag was featured on the following posts:
Bonsai! Rae’s New Fall Bag (you can see me holding the bag in this post)
Return of the Bonsai Bag

And see what others have made in the Bonsai Bag Photo Pool (submit your pictures here!)

BUY YOUR SEWING PATTERN NOW!*
$10

*HELP KEEP RAE FROM GOING INSANE
Please read these through before making your purchase. Otherwise you might not receive your pattern right away or a canceled transaction.  Thanks y’all!!!

1.  Click on the teeny tiny”complete your purchase” link immediately after you pay. After you pay in Paypal, keep your eyes peeled for the amazingly small “complete your purchase” link.  If you click through you’ll go directly to your pattern download link. I know, right? They could have made it easier. But they didn’t. So let’s just move on.
2.  Log into PayPal and check that your primary email address is correct.  Since instant download pattern links are also sent automatically by my computer to your email address, if your paypal email is outdated or incorrect you won’t receive your pattern. So make sure it’s right!
3.  Add Made By Rae as an email contact. Log into your email account, go to your address book or contacts and add rae DOT made AT gmail DOT com as a contact. This prevents my emails from going to SPAM purgatory. 
4.  And then don’t feel bad if you need some help.  Of course the system isn’t perfect; since the entire pattern-sending process is automated I sometimes get emails from people who didn’t get the automatically generated email. If you’ve checked everything above and still haven’t received your pattern, please don’t hesitate to email me (left sidebar) so I can get it all sorted out for you.
THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to all of my pattern testers (Karen, Andrea, Lauren) for helping me try these out and for your fantastic suggestions.

As this is the first released version of the pattern, there are bound to be mistakes.  Thanks in advance for your patience, and please email me if you find any errors or need assistance!