Tutorial: Appa Bag with Faux Fur (Avatar the Last Airbender)

One of my favorite childhoods TV series was Avatar the Last Airbender. So I decided to make a purse inspired by the iconic Appa! This is a fairly easy pattern, but if you’ve never sewn with fur before, there may be some tricky parts to this tutorial. But I think a determined beginner will be able to do this! I created a pattern for you to print out and follow along with the step-by-step instructions.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. That being said, I encourage you to use your local sewing shop whenever possible, or to look for supplies second hand.

Supplies Needed:

1/2 yard of faux fur
1/2 yard of brown or gray contrast fabric
1/2 yard fabric for lining
12″ Zipper
Strap clips
Heavy weight interfacing

Sewing Pattern PDF

(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)

Step 1

trace the bag pattern onto the back of the faux fur and cut it

Trace the front and back bag pieces onto the bag of the faux fur. Then cut it out very carefully using small snips of the scissors up close to the fur backing. The goal is to cut the backing without cutting too much of the fur.

Step 2

apply interfacing to the lining and side bag pieces

Apply interfacing to the lining top, lining bottom, and side bag pieces.

Step 3

sew the side bag

Comb the fur toward the inside of the pattern pieces. This is to keep the fur from getting caught in the seam. Then sew the front and back to the side bag piece. Leave half an inch (the seam allowance) unsewn at both sides.

Step 4

sew the tabs

fold the tab in quarters (like belt carriers) and sew them closed.

Step 5

baste the tabs to the side bag

Fold the tabs in half and baste them to the sides of the bag.

Step 6

interface on side of the arrow flap

Step 7

add one side of the magnet to the arrow

Step 8

sew the two arrow pieces together

with right sides together, sew the two arrow flap pieces.

Step 9

turn the arrow flap to the right side

clip all the corners, then turn the arrow flap to the right side.

Step 10

press and top stitch the arrow

Press the arrow so it’s nice and neat, then topstitch along the outer edge.

Step 11

sew the arrow flap to the back of the bag

Sew the arrow flap to the back of the bag one and a half inches down from the top of the bag. The magnet should be facing up.

Step 12

flip the arrow and sew to encase the raw edges

Flip the flap over the seam, and topstitch through all layers a quarter inch from the end.

Step 13

fold arrow over to front and add magnet to the bag

sew a magnet to the front of the bag

Fold the flap around the front and sew a magnet where the flap meets it.

Step 14

hem the upper edge of the pocket

Step 15

baste the seam allowance of the pocket

Step 16

sew the pocket to the lining

Step 17

sew the zipper to the zipper strips

Place the zipper face down on the zipper strip and sew. Then repeat the process with the other side of the zipper. Press the strip away from the zipper and topstitch if you want to.

Step 18

sew the upper lining to the zipper strip

Sew the top lining to both sides of the zipper strip

Step 19

sew the bottom lining

With right sides together, sew the top and bottom lining. The zipper strip will be sandwiched between the lining layers. Leave the seam allowance on both sides unsewn.

Step 20

turn the bag inside out

Step 21

sew the bag to the lining and understitch the lining

Place the lining inside the bag with right sides together. Then sew along the upper edge, NOT the sides. Understitch the lining layer, by edgestitching the lining to the seam allowance.