The Bergen Bag is a firmly structured everyday handbag with plenty of room, plenty of pockets and lots of options for making it your own. Designed with everyday and travel use in mind, it's spacious enough for your essentials plus a book or iPad, while the organised interior helps keep everything in its proper place.
Inside you'll find open slip pockets - because one can never have too many pockets! - along with a large zippered lining pocket with plenty of room for valuables, passports and boarding passes. ❤️
One of the things that makes Bergen especially fun to sew is how many different looks you can create from the same pattern. Choose between a zipper top closure, an open-ended bag frame or a closed-end bag frame, then customise your bag further with optional handle connectors and either a high or low contrasting bottom.
The three sample bags in the second photo show just some of the possible combinations:
Left: Zipper top closure, handle connectors and low bottom.
Middle: Open-ended frame closure, handle connectors and high bottom.
Right: Closed-end frame closure, no handle connectors and low bottom.
Mix and match the options to suit your fabrics and the style you want - from a classic framed handbag to a more casual zippered everyday bag.
The PDF sewing pattern is fully templated and includes both inch and centimeter measurements, detailed step-by-step instructions and lots of photos to guide you through the construction. Instructions for all three closure styles and the different design options are included.
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
The Bergen Bag is best suited to an intermediate bag maker. You'll be creating a firmly structured bag with multiple pockets and working through several construction steps, with the exact techniques depending on which closure and design options you choose.
The pattern includes detailed step-by-step instructions and photos to guide you through the construction, including the different options so you can create the Bergen that suits you best.
FINISHED SIZE
Approximately 10” (25cm) high, 13” (33cm) wide and 4” (10cm) deep at the base.
FABRIC & SUPPLIES
Fabric:
Exterior - ½ yard (45cm):
Cotton fabric, vinyl, faux leather or cork fabric (patterned exterior), please consider the bulk when sewing, not all domestic machines will be able to handle sewing the layers with fabric thicker than cotton. More fabric will be needed if you want a certain part of the print for the front of the bag.
Vinyl - ½ yard (45cm):
Vinyl, faux leather, cork or similar where the edges can be left raw, but please consider the bulk when sewing, not all domestic machines will be able to handle sewing the layers with a very heavy vinyl.
Lining - ½ yard” (45cm):
Cotton fabric for lining.
Interfacing/stabiliser:
Heavy fusible stabiliser - 22” x 20” (55x50cm):
Fast 2 Fuse Heavy, Pellon 72F Peltex 2 Sided Fusible or Pellon 71F Peltex if you prefer one sided fusible.
Woven fusible interfacing - 1 yard (90cm):
Fusible interfacing for lining and all cotton fabrics like Vilene G700 woven fusible or Pellon SF101 Shape-Flex.
Hardware/notions:
1 - Purse frames 7 1/2” (19cm).
If you need help locating these I have a list here on my blog. You can use the closed ended frames, or the open ended ones like from Emmaline Bags as you prefer. OR if you’re making the version with zipper closure: 1 - #5 Zipper 14” (35cm) (or longer): Should match the exterior fabric if you wish to have a zipper closure for your bag. If you’re uncomfortable replacing zipper pulls, choose an open ended zipper.
1 - Metal zipper end:
You can use one of these, or you can choose to sew a little cover of your own design.
(4 - 1” (2.5cm) Rectangle rings:
Or D-rings with 1” (2.5cm) interior measurement. Only needed if making handle connectors)
1 - 14” (35cm) #3 zipper (or longer):
Should match the lining fabric and not have a big/bulky pull.
4 - Bag feet:
Optional.
Rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler.
Double sided wash away quilting tape I warmly recommend. Fabric glue & wonder clips.
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PDF SEWING PATTERN
This is a digital PDF sewing pattern, available for instant download. No physical product will be shipped.
The pattern includes detailed step-by-step instructions with colour photos throughout to guide you through the construction. Measurements are provided in both inches and centimeters.
You're very welcome to sell bags you make from Pink Pony Design patterns on a small handmade scale. ❤️
