{ChaChaCha} 3 compartment bag pattern
ChaChaCha is a compact, practical 3 compartment bag. Its 3 zippered compartments give you a fast way to find what you’re looking for.
Depending on your choice of fabrics, ChaChaCha can be sewn as a city bag or an evening bag.
With the adjustable shoulder strap your Chachacha can be a shoulder bag or a crossbody bag.
Les 4 strap tabs are an original design element and provide a balanced support to the bag so that the compartments do not sag when filled.
2 bag sizes !
The pattern includes 2 sizes : Small clutch size to carry your essentials, Medium functional bag size for all your needs.
ChaChaCha Small : width 25 cm (10″) x height 16 cm (6 3/8″)
ChaChaCha Medium : width 30 cm (12″) x height 19 cm (7 1/2″)
Bonus variation !
You know that I like to add a little bonus in my patterns when possible 🙂 … so you’ll find the ChaCha variation, with 2 compartments instead of 3, in the instructions of the pattern!
Printing advice
For the readability of the illustrations, each third of the bag is shown in a different color. We highly recommend to print the instructions in color, or to follow them on a screen.
Advice for choosing fabrics
ChaChaCha specific construction makes the seams between the 3 compartments invisible, even in the linings!
This assembly requiring many manipulations, choose fabrics that fold easily, not too thick, nor stiff.
For each ChaChaCha in picture below, I specify the fabrics used and if interfacing was applied.
ChaChaCha canvas and Liberty
Ecru lurex canvas, interfaced with one layer of Vlieseline (= vilene) G700.
Liberty Lodden cotton with 2 layers of G700 interfacing. I trimmed the seam allowance of 2nd layer of interfacing and applied it over the 1st layer, once it was cold. I applied one layer of Odicoat to protect the fabric, after interfacing.
ChaChaCha velvet and Liberty
Purple velvet not interfaced because it shrinks a lot when pressed.
Liberty Lodden cotton with 2 layers of G700 interfacing. I trimmed the seam allowance of 2nd layer of interfacing and applied it over the 1st layer, once it was cold. I applied one layer of Odicoat to protect the fabric, after interfacing.
ChaCha variation (2 compartments) faux suede and Liberty
Yellow faux-suede interfaced with one layer of Vlieseline (= vilene) G700.
Liberty Lodden cotton with 2 layers of G700 interfacing. I trimmed the seam allowance of 2nd layer of interfacing and applied it over the 1st layer, once it was cold. I applied one layer of Odicoat to protect the fabric, after interfacing.
ChaCha variation (2 compartments) vinyl and cotton
Black vinyl (not interfaced).
Cotton scissors print (collection « Sewing Studio 2 » by Cynthia Frenette for Robert Kaufman), interfaced with one layer of Vlieseline (= vilene) G700.
For the double-sided strap see the Two-tone or double-sided strap Tutorial.
ChaChaCha glitter vinyl
Black glitter vinyl (not interfaced).
I tested a diamond shaped quilting using flexible foam. As this adds volume, which makes assembly more difficult, I do not advise to try this for your first ChaChaCha.
ChaChaCha faux-leather fashion fabric
Red faux-leather fashion fabric, thin and supple (not interfaced). The linings are quilting cottons and are not interfaced.
ChaChaCha worn !
Here are some pictures of the bags worn, for you to get a better sense of their size.
Some of your ChaChaCha
These are the latest bags sewn by you, using the ChaChaCha bag pattern.
View more here, on Pinterest.
Merci
The pattern testers DreamTeam : merci to Caro Folies de Cajumy, Chantal Chantal New Style, Cyrielle Moonlight Thread, Cyrielle Les mains en l’air, Dado Dado Créa, Evelyne l’Atelier d’Eve, Julia J. l’Atelier 24, Manu, Marie El’En, Marion Mes CreAJe, Nicole L’atelier d’Au, O’Kryn O’Kryn Prod, Rozenn Petit monde de Rozenn, Sandrine SB créations, Sophie Epik and Laurence La Mercerie des Créateurs.
Thanks also to Maria aka Velosewer for proofreading the English version of the pattern.
Buy the ChaChaCha pattern
You can buy the ChaChaCha pattern in the Boutique (clic).
Necessary supplies are listed under the “supplies” tab there.
This pattern is available as a downloadable pdf only. Help page.