The easiest bag (super mondo tutorial)

So the first couple classes have come and gone

and I will finally post the bag tutorial so

all can see the by product of 3 hours of

craftiness. These bags are super easy and cute

and I highly recommend making them

for Christmas gifts.

Imagine the possibilities..

you can stuff them with fancy grocery items,

crafty books and notions; use them

as your gift wrap?

They require only 1 yard of heavy canvas

or heavy twill(should be under 13 bucks).

The fabric we used in class,

as mentioned before, was Joel Dewberry printed

twill. You can use the twill or canvas... prints

will cost you a little more ($16.99/yd)

Here is our sassy finished product,

with sweeties blowfish screened front and

center on the front pocket of the bag.

Along with a sewing machine, you will need simple

sewing notions. Cue the notion bubble..

Here are the pattern pieces you will need to cut and their measurements..

Our front pocket here was screened, but let's remember

my homemade bag from before that had a little

personally crafted flare that I will mention later.

So, getting to it. The first things you will sew are the handles

and the straps. Start by sandwiching together the 'right' sides

(the printed sides) of the fabric and sewing them on

either side with 1/4" seam allowance.

The iron is key here... which is why it has become a notion in the

first place. Use the iron often.

Next, you will open the piece that you just sewed

together, and on the 'wrong' sides, iron open the seam

allowance in the middle and at the sides, iron down 1/4"

seam allowance on both sides of the piece.

Then, fold the seam allowances together, and press again and

sew down the opposite side with 1/8" topstitch.

Note that we are leaving the bottoms of the straps/handles

open and raw... it really doesn't affect the look and it makes it easy

to clip it to our liking later.

**Repeat this same process with the two handles as well.

Same exact process.

Next, we are going to deal with the pocket...

Iron down the allowance on the bottom 3 sides with heavy

steam..1/4". Sides first, then bottom.

Then, iron down the top hem of the pocket, fold 1/4" and iron.

Then, fold another 1/2" and iron.

Sew this piece down with 1/8" topstitch on the inside

of the hem.

Once the pocket hem is sewn down and the

sides and bottom allowance have been ironed

down, Place the pocket down on one of the front panels.

Center the pocket piece 2" up from bottom of

piece, and center the pocket in the middle of the panel.

Pin the piece down so that it does not move while you

are sewing. If you need pinning tips, see next step.

Somehow, I spaced out while I was sewing this pocket down,

but the next step is sewing the sides and bottom down with 1/8"

topstitch.. above pic.

Now that we have the body panel with the pocket complete,

sandwich the two body pieces together with the 'wrong' sides out

and pin the bottom sides. the top needs to remain open.

If there is any confusion about pinning, the pins will lie

perpendicular to the edge you are sewing. You can sew

right over them... pull them while you are sewing or after.

This seems like obvious information, but I promise you,

it's not.

Make sure your body panel with pocket is facing up. below.

Sew down bottom three edges with 1/4" seam allowance.

Remember to pivot at the bottom corners by lifting your presser

foot, rotating your pieces by hand, and continue on your way.

You can also angle the corners or curve them instead of

squaring them off.

Now we need the bias tape... bias tape makes our life easier

so that we do not need to clean finish our inside edges.

If you'd like... you can add tape to the bottom allowance of the bag

too. I only included the two sides in the pattern/notion

needs. Bias is fantastic because it is already prepped and double

layered for you.. line the edges together and press it

down, so it will be easy to sew onto your allowance.

Sandwich the allowance with the sides of the tape

and sew down right in the middle..

do this for both sides.

Next, iron down the hem of the top of the bag.. first 1/4",

then fold another 1" and press.

Sew this hem down at the 1/8' edge on the inside of the bag.

Check out the inner beauty!

The ladies of the class were lucky enough to

have the polka dotted bias... which is darling

and can also be purchased at Hart's fabric.

And now we have the bag body and we need to

attach the straps and handles.

Center the handles on either side, leaving about 6" between

handle sides. Pin these down so they will not slip.

Pin them at a length that feels right for you

and simply cut off the edge with scissors so

that the bottom of the handle is even with the bottom of

the 1" seam allowance.

Sew down the edges of the handle, staying in the one inch

square of the hem. After sewing the square at the 1/8"

edge, pivot and sew in an angle for a secure stitch.

Follow the same process with the straps. center them

over the side seams and sew the same 1"

square with 1/8" topstitch and angled secure stitch.

And there you have it. The easiest, cutest bag.

Even crabby is feeling a little bit shy in its presence.

Look at the cute fit.

You now have the know how. I want to see

bags bags bags.

I will accept many bags for christmas.

Sorry for the lack of class photos, but I just

cannot post pictures of DIYers under

bad neon lighting.