Polo Neck Sweater Bag

On the Paris Metro I spotted a terrifyingly chic lady sporting a knife-sharp suit accessorized with a slouchy sort of handbag, which clearly had a designer price tag as wary as her immaculately maquillaged glare. The soft contours of the tweedy bag were topped with a generously deep cuff of ribbed cashmere knit. My frugal creative screak went into overdrive as I mentally started cutting up thrift-shop jumpers and coats to, make an equally delicious version at a fraction of the price.

MAKING THE OUTSIDE OF THE BAG

Iron the interfacing onto the reverse of all the face fabrics. Transfer the template outline to the fabric and cut out. Pin, baste, and stitch the sides and base piece to the front piece, right sides facing and stitching up to the seam allowance. Attach the back piece in the same way to complete the main bag (A). Clip into the seam allowance around the curved corners, press the seams open, and turn the bag right side out.

MAKING THE JUMPER LINING

Turn the jumper inside out. Cut off the arms and neck. Cut the two pieces, measuring from the bottom edge of the jumper. Align the two pieces. Pin, baste, and stitch three edges together, leaving the bottom edge and part of one side open (B).

ATTACHING THE JUMPER LINING

Place the bag inside the jumper, right sides facing, aligning the hem of the jumper and the raw top edge of the bag. and each side warn of the lining with the centre line of the bag sides. Pin, baste, and stitch the lining to the bag around the top edge (C).

MAKING THE STRAP

Fold the strap fabric in half lengthwise, right sides facing. Pin, baste, and stitch along the long open edge. Press the seam open and turn the right side out. Place the seam centrally, turn in the raw ends by 1.5cm.Topstitch all around the strap, close to the edge (E).

ATTACHING THE STRAP

Pin, baste, and stitch the strap to the bag 2.5 cm from the upper edge in the centre of each side panel. Attach a button at each end of the strap using a tapestry needle threaded with wool (F).