nt

nt

First, decide what dimensions you want your bag to be. I made a square bottom type tote, so the dimensions of your cut square/rectangle aren’t exactly the dimensions of your finished bag.

Start by cutting 2 rectangles from each of the fabrics you’ll be using (inner & outer of the bag). You should have 4 identical squares total. I started w/ 10x12” rectangles. I usually cut my handles now and fabric for pockets, if I’ll be using any.

For handles you can use self fabric which I just cut to size, sew the seam, turn and topstitch, -- or you could use ribbon or webbing stuff they sell for handles.

For pockets I cut 2 identical squares, sew up 3 seams right side together, turn, press raw edges under, and stitch that side closed (I usually use that side for the open side of the pocket so no sides have 2 rows of stitching).

So … now we have 4 rectangles cut for the body of the bag, and the handles and pockets (if any) cut and assembled.

Cut a square out of each bottom corner of each square (you can stack your rectangles and cut these all together, just make sure the prints are going the right way if they’re directional.) For this bag, I made 1.5” squares. The size of the squares determines the “depth” of the bag.

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517577

If you’re going to use pockets, sew them onto the rectangles now.

Now, right sides together sew up the sides and bottoms of each pair of rectangles.

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517608

Here’s the slightly tricky part. It’s hard to explain, I hope this photos help. It would have been nice to have 3 hands *lol *

Take a corner, and open it so the seams are in the middle, pinch together, matching the seams with each side, and sew it up. This gives you the square bottomed effect. Do this with both of the corners of the outer fabric, and only one of the corners of the inner fabric (you’ll need this one open to turn the whole thing right-side-out near the end.)

(opening corner)
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517614

(pinching corner)
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517616

(completed corner)
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517581

2

3

4

6

7

9

10a

10b

12

Now we have this:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517617


~~~~

Put the bags one inside the other, right sides facing each other (so you won’t be seeing any right sides).

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517626


Then insert the handles between the 2 layers, making sure you don’t twist them. I pin them to make sure they don’t slip around.
(photos in following post)

inserting handles:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517628

view from above:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517631

view from side
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517635

13

Stitch around the whole opening. This is the only part that I don’t serge b/c it cuts off the extra bit of the handle so you can’t reinforce them later if you want to. (you know, make the little x-type thingies where the handles are inside the layers?)

Pull the bag right-side out from the one corner you left open.

pulling right side out:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517637

now we have this!
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517644

14

done!

Take that one open corner and open it the way you did with the others, but fold the raw edges under and topstitch it closed.

corner w/ edges folder under:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517650


Put the inner and outer pieces into each other, and topstitch around the opening. If you want to reinforce the handles, you can do that too.

Done!

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=517652


(Please someone let me know if this makes *any* sense!)

Great instructions! Thanks for posting this. I a;ready have soem fabric in mind.

perfectly clear instructions--thank you! of course, you know you'll never have a future in the big 3 pattern companies cuz they don't hire pattern makers who make sense. :D

I think that I will try this one! Would it be as nice without being serged?

Originally posted by mowglimonster
Would it be as nice without being serged?

Yup, definately! The only exposed seam is the one topstitched corner. Everything else is hidden.

Thank you so much! I have fabric waiting to become bags, I was just so nervous. . . this is just what I needed!

well done christine!
you should pm the link to rocketscientist to have archived

Thank you so much! With all these bag S&S's I've been itching to make a bag too, LOL and I think it's going to be my project for tonight:) I love the airplane fabric you used, my 5 y.o. is OBSESSED with airplanes and I think I'll make him an airplane one too, do you think flannel would work OK? I have some flannel airplanes....Hmmmmm.

Thnx for such awesome instructions!!

Lynn

my brain has frozen...

How could I go about putting batting between the two layers?
I'd like to make a nice "cushy" bag for my MIL for mother's day and I can't figure out how to put the batting in and still be able to flip it right side out..kwim?
Thanks!!

Thanks :) great instructions! going to try it.

Originally posted by BGLover
my brain has frozen...

How could I go about putting batting between the two layers?
I'd like to make a nice "cushy" bag for my MIL for mother's day and I can't figure out how to put the batting in and still be able to flip it right side out..kwim?
Thanks!!

Maybe you could try the prequilted stuff from Joann's or the iron on fleece that is with the interfacings. I was just thinking this same thing, so you actually made me brainstorm, thanks, lol. I was thinking of making one from a kinda thin cotton I have, but wanted something sturdier, yk? I think I am gonna try the iron on fleece!