PANNIER TOTE

PANNIER HANDBAG

Hard sided Pannier handbags are basically soft-sided cloth baskets with a molded liner which acts as a framework. Plastic and metal liners are often super tough, roto-molded construction. Sides are curved to fit your bag and allows for a lower slide clearance. It makes for a neat, clean interior.

Dimensions: approximately 6.5″ high / 8.5″ wide / 5.5″ deep with a 18″ [45 cm] carrying strap. [16.5 cm X 21.5 cm X 14 cm]

Construction Method: Combination Faced-edge & Turned Finish –  this construction has 2 turned-over edges placed together and then machine-stitched through. Often seam edges are piped or encased with  bound trims at visible points of assembly on the exterior side of the bag while providing clean, neat interiors.

Material Used: 100% polyester outdoor canvas, 54″ wide; basket liner – 3L molded plastic storage container.

You will need:

• 3L molded plastic storage container
• 1 heavy-duty closed zipper
• 2 D-rings, 1 ½” dia. [38 mm]
• Approx. 1/2 yard [0.5 m] of canvas/upholstery weight fabric, 54″ wide [137 cm]
• Approx 1/2 yard [0.5 m] of fusible interfacing, 45” wide [114 cm]
• 1 pkg. of single fold bias tape, ½ ” wide [12 mm]
• 1 pkg. of piping cord, ¼ ” dia. [6 mm]
• ½ yd [0.5] of belting, 1 1/4” wide [30 mm]
• grid paper

Design Tip: Match the colour and metal finish of your hardware to your zipper.

PATTERN

The size of your pannier handbag is based on the dimensions of your liner. (height x width x depth)

For instance, the prototype has a plastic bucket container for the liner: 6.5″ high / 8.5″ wide / 5.5″ deep.

Begin by tracing out the bottom of the container onto grid paper. This will be the base pattern piece.

Add seam allowance.

Plot out a rectangle shape onto grid paper equal to the height (H) and the width (W) of the top edge (open lip edge) of the container. From the center of the rectangle, plot out half of the bottom width (½W) measurement on either side of center on the lower part of the rectangle. Join the top corner to the plotted lower location with a straight line on both sides of the rectangle. This will be the side pattern piece.

Next, repeat the step above for the depth. Draw a rectangle shape equal to the height (H) and depth (D) of the top edge (open lip edge) of the container. From the center of the rectangle, plot out half of the bottom depth (½D) measurement on either side of center of this rectangle. Join the top corner to the plotted lower location with a straight line on both sides of the rectangle. This will be the gusset pattern piece.

Make the bag body pattern seamless. Cut the gusset pattern through its center along the height (vertical cut). Align and match the gusset pattern pieces to the height of the side pattern piece and trace out the half-gusset portions. At the chevron points, blend smoothly with a curved line.

Create the zipper closure for the bag. Extend the sides of the body pattern with tangent lines equal to half of the top depth (½D) measurement. Join these two points with a parallel line drawn across the top.

Measure the distance across the container diagonally from opposite corners and round up to the next inch. This is the length of zipper required. Plot the zipper opening equal on either side of center across the top of the pattern piece. This final draft is the body side pattern piece.

Add seam allowance.

For the pannier bag handle, draw an oblong equal to twice the belting width  X desired length (18″ [45 cm]). Add seam allowance.

CUTTING

Body Sides – cut 2X self

Base – cut 1X self;  1X fusible

Cut 2 bias strips (length equal to H + 1/2D + 2″ [5 cm] extra) for banding. (see bias cutting)

Cut 18-inch strip for bag handle (width equal to 2 times belting width)

ASSEMBLY

1. Iron fusible interfacing to the fabric base, following manufacturer’s directions.
2. Apply piping cord to the perimeter of the base. (see bias piping) Set aside.
3. Create the bag handle by sewing the fabric strip into a tube. Turn tube right-side-out and insert belting. Trim the belting by1.5″ [37 mm] at each open end of the fabric tube. Topstitch along the long edges of the bag handle to secure the belting in place. Set aside.
4. Center and insert zipper to top edge of fabric body pieces. Topstitch in place.
5. With wrong sides together, align and match side seams of bag. Pin/baste and sew sideseams. Press seams open.
6. Turn under long edges of the bias banding strips and press flat (make banding as wide as finished bag handles).  Align and center each banding strip over the seam allowance at the side seams, with the excess length extending beyond the top edge of the bag. Topstitch each banding strip in place.
7. Attach base to bottom edge of bag. Pin/baste and sew base. To neaten raw seam, bind edge with bias fold tape. Keep zipper edge open to facilitate turning out the body of the bag.
8. Thread D-ring hardware onto each banding extension. Fold fabric over and secure in place.
9. Thread D-ring hardware to the ends of the bag handle. Fold fabric over and secure in place.
10. Insert plastic liner bucket into pannier bag.