The Kaplan is a roomy crossbody satchel with a distinctive flap closure. This bag is chic and practical, with lots of room to carry your belongings. It's also our very first gender neutral/unisex bag, leaning either feminine or masculine depending on the materials you use.
Finished size: 10.75" W x 10" H x 3.5" D
Skill level: Intermediate
Watch the tutorial on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Oo7z4Nb86G0
Features of The Kaplan
- Adjustable strap
- Unique flap with an accent and flap keeper
- Turnlock closure
- Exterior slip pocket on the back — fits a large cell phone!
- Interior zipper pocket
- Interior key fob
- Interior slip pocket
About This PDF Pattern
This downloadable PDF pattern includes printable pattern pieces, step-by-step instructions, 100+ process photos, tester photos for inspiration, and a video tutorial to guide you through the bag making process.
Materials List
- 1/2 yard of material for the main exterior (one roll of 18” faux)
- 1/2 yard of material for the accent (one roll of 18” faux)
- 3/4 yard of lining material
- 3/4 yard of woven interfacing if using cotton, linen, or other similar fabric for the lining
- 1/2 yard of Decovil Light stabilizer
- 9” x 3” of Decovil Heavy stabilizer
Hardware List | get the hardware kit!
- 2 – 1” Rectangle Rings
- 1 – 1” Slide Adjuster
- 1 – Twist Lock
- 1 – 0.5” Swivel Clasp
- 1 – #5 Zipper Tape cut to 9”
- 1 – #5 Zipper Pull
- Rivets (Optional)
Recommended Supplies
- Double-sided tape (1/8”, 1/4”, and/or 1/2”)
- Wonder Clips
- Sewline Air Erasable Pen
- Silver marking pen
- Rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Scotch tape
- Awl
- Pattern-Ease or pattern tracing material
- Leather hole punch
- Bonded nylon thread: TEX 45 (domestic) or TEX 70 (industrial)
- Size 90/14 leather needle (domestic) or size 16 or 18 needle (industrial)
Materials & Sewing Machine Compatibility
We recommend using real or faux leather to construct this bag. The bag can be made in one fabric, or you can use an accent fabric for the sides, flap, strap connectors, strap, and/or exterior slip pocket accent. Get creative and use a third color for the flap accent and flap keeper.
Waterproof canvas, cotton, linen, or other similar materials of your choice can be used for the interior lining. If using cotton or linen for the lining, the pieces will need to be backed with woven interfacing like SF101, Wovenfuse, or other similar weight interfacing. Decovil Light or your preferred stabilizer can be used to stabilize the bag. Decovil Heavy or your preferred stabilizer can be used to stabilize the bottom.
We recommend using an industrial or heavy-duty domestic machine if you are using faux leather or real leather. If you are using cotton canvas and lightweight faux leathers, a domestic machine can be used. We recommend that you keep the woven interfacing out of the seam allowances if you aresewing on a domestic machine. It is important to know your machine and the materials that it can handle.
NOTE: Due to the digital nature of this product, it is non-refundable. The purchase is for a pattern, not a completed bag.