Howie Bowler Bag

Looking for a little more information and ideas in making your Howie Bowler Bag? You're in the right spot. Lets make your Howie as unique as you are!!

Get the pattern here - this pattern was originally released as a part of the Bag of the Month Club, which means you can find a whole bunch of them online in the Bag of the Month Club Community on Facebook. Or, check out the hashtag on Instagram - #howiebowlerbag for inspiration.

Join Michelle as she makes the handbag in her YouTube Tutorial: mgrahamsews

Or consider sewing the handbag along with Kassiah of Siah Swag Bags on her no longer live YouTube: Siah Swag Bags

 If you're making the carry-all size, then follow along with Stephanie of Ashtown Creations on her YouTube: Ashtown Creations

Modifications

Personalizing your Howie can be a great way to learn new skills on a design that you're already comfortable with. I always suggest following the pattern the very first time you make the design. Once you've done that, you'll know the areas that will be simpler to change and those that aren't worth changing. 

Change the Front Pocket 

Eliminate the hardware on the front pocket: 

This allows you to reduce the hardware on your bag, or perhaps you're not finding the right hardware to complete the pocket. This creates a decorative slip pocket, and you could apply this to the back of the bag as well!

• Do not cut the Flap pieces in the cutting list
• Under Preparation skip the steps that refer to the Flap
• Under Construct the Front and Back skip the steps for hardware installation and steps 11-15 where the Flap is created and installed

Change the hardware on the front pocket to a Half Moon - Magnetic Edge Clasp:

• Cut the Flap exterior pieces 3/4" (1.9 cm) taller than the current pattern measurement shows.
• Under Construct the Front and Back, after step 4, measure down 1" (2.5 cm) from the top edge, centered side to side. Install the female half of the magnetic snap centered on the marking. Continue with the steps constructing the pocket, skipping those for the hardware installation. 
• Under Construct the Front and Back, complete the steps for the Flap, but instead of installing the Wallet Closure, you will install the Half-Moon Magnetic Clasp.

Change the hardware on the front pocket to a Twist Lock:

Note that this is for a small turn lock similar to this one found at Emmaline Bags.

• Cut the Flap exterior pieces 1" (2.5 cm) taller than the current pattern measurement shows.
• Under Construct the Front and Back, after step 4, measure down 1" (2.5 cm) from the top edge, centered side to side. Install the male half of the twist lock centered on the marking. Continue with the steps constructing the pocket, skipping those for the hardware installation. 
• Under Construct the Front and Back, complete the steps for the Flap, but instead of installing the Wallet Closure, you will install the Twist Lock.

Change the Stabilizer

If you are making your bag with cork, vinyl or faux leather you may not want to use foam. Decovil Light is an option to provide you with structure but not the feeling of foam. Changing the stabilizers is not recommended if you are making your Howie Bowler Bag with quilting cotton.

• Replace the column "Foam" with Decovil Light and continue to cut as per the list.
• Trim 3/8" - 1/2" (1 cm - 1.3 cm) from all of the edges of the Decovil Light and when sewing stitch next to the stabilizer, not through it. This will keep the stabilizer out of the seam allowance. 

Change the Final Construction Method

The final construction method used in Howie is turned through a pocket at the very end before closing it up. Some prefer to bind a bag instead of turning through the gap, and this design is easy to change it up. Include your binding in the material list whether that's bias cut cotton, non-fraying waterproof canvas, fold-over elastic, or adhesive binding. 

• Under Lining Zipper Pocket section be sure to sew the bottom of the zipper pocket closed as it won't be needed for turning
• Under Construct the Zipper Gusset section, at the end of step 3, baste the layers together. Replace step 6-9 with the following: Place a lining Base Gusset right side up and set the Zipper Gusset right side up on top (the linings will be right sides together) with the short end aligned. Place the exterior Base Gusset right side down on top with the short end aligned and sew with a full seam allowance. Trim the foam from the seam allowance and press the Base Gussets away from the Zipper Gusset. Topstitch along the seam on the Base Gusset. Repeat for the other end of the Zipper Gusset and Base Gussets forming a loop. Baste the lining and exterior Base Gussets together along the long sides.
• Replace the Final Construction section with the following: Place the lining Main with the zipper pocket right side down and set the Main without the pocket right side up on top so they are wrong sides together. Baste the two together. Repeat for the lining Main without the zipper pocket and the Main with the pocket which is the front. Place one of the sets of the Mains exterior right side up and use step 1 to align the constructed gusset along the Main with the exteriors right sides together. Sew with the full seam allowance. Repeat for the other Main and the other side of the constructed gusset. 
• Bind your seam allowances with your favorite binding methods. Here are two that I use: Binding with Fold Over Elastic and Binding with non-fraying Waterproof Canvas

Replace Webbing with Fabric

The Handles, Strap Anchors, Short Strap Anchors, and Strap are all constructed with webbing, but you may want to use fabric to replace these. 

• 
  For the Strap Anchors and Short Strap Anchors cut fabric and woven
  interfacing that are the same length as the webbing pieces in the pattern, but 2" (5 cm) wide. Fuse the interfacing to the fabric pieces. Then fold the long sides into the center for each. Optionally topstitch 1/4" (6 mm) from each folded edge. Continue to use these in the pattern where required.

• For the Handles and Strap cut fabric that is 1" longer than the webbing pieces in the pattern, but 4" (10.2 cm) wide. Also cut interfacing that is the same length as the webbing pieces in the pattern, but 4" (10.2 cm) wide. Fuse the interfacing to the fabric pieces leaving a 1/2" (1.3 cm) section at each end without interfacing. Fold the ends of the fabric wrong sides together by a 1/2" (1.3 cm). Then fold the strip in half lengthwise forming a center crease. Open the strip up and fold the two sides to the center, pressing it well, then re-fold along the center crease. Topstitch on all four sides of your finished Handle/Strap. Continue to use these in the pattern where required.

Are you looking for another modification to the Howie Bowler Bag and need a little instruction - reach out using the Contact page and let me know!!