Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs (22 page)

contrasting fabric: and one front pocket panel, two inside pocket pieces, two straps, and two ties

3.
MARK THE FRONT POCKET PANEL
. Decide what tools you’ll want in the pocket panel and measure out slots for compartments on the right side of the fabric. Allow a little extra room for ease so the compartments won’t be too tight.

4.
MAKE THE FRONT POCKET
. Press under the top diagonal edge ½" and edgestitch. Pin the pocket to the front of the bag, both with right sides facing out. Through both layers of fabric, stitch the pocket compartments along your markings, backtacking at the top for reinforcement. Leave the raw sides and bottom edges unstitched but pinned — or baste them in place ¼" from the edge, if you prefer.

5.
STITCH THE SIDES
. With right sides together, pin the short edges of the sides to the bottom piece. Stitch a ½" seam, stopping ½" from either end (as shown by the dots at right, 5a) and backtacking. With right sides together, pin the sides and bottom to the back bag panel and stitch, pivoting at the corners (5b). (The slits in the side seams will make it easier to turn the corners.) Repeat for the front of the bag.

6.
MAKE THE INSIDE POCKET
. On one inside pocket piece, press under the top edge ½", then repeat for another ½", and edgestitch. With right sides together, pin the side and bottom edges to the other pocket piece as shown. Stitch on three sides and backtack, clip the corners, and turn the pocket right side out. Press under the unstitched side seams.

7.
STITCH THE TOP AND ATTACH THE POCKET
. Press under the top raw edge of the bag ½". Press under again 1". Center the pocket on the inside back hem of the bag and pin the pocket’s unstitched edge under the folded hem. Edgestitch around the top edge of entire bag.

8.
MAKE AND ATTACH THE STRAPS
. Make two straps, following the instructions on page 42. On the outside of the bag, pin the ends of one strap on either side of the inside pocket. Pin the ends of the other strap at the same locations on the other side of the bag. Stitch the straps to the bag and reinforce with a box stitch. (
See page
43
.)

9.
MAKE AND ATTACH THE TIES
. Make the ties the same way you’d make a strap (
see page
42
), by pressing under the sides to meet in the center along the length. At the ends, open up the tie and press under ½”. Refold the tie and press. Edgestitch the ties on all sides. Pin them at the top inside center of both the front and back of the bag. Stitch in place.

PROTECT YOUR STUFF

The bag shown on page 86 was made to hold knitting supplies, but you can make a tote to suit any craft or hobby: quilting, needlepoint, gardening, woodworking; you can even make totes for your household tools. For most tool bags, I suggest using a sturdy fabric such as canvas, denim, or even upholstery fabric. You don’t want your pockets to slump over with the weight of your pruning shears. And you don’t want your knitting needles to poke through that lovely linen you’ve been waiting to use on something special. If you will be toting softer, lighter tools, you can go with something less durable.

We used a heavyweight canvas for the Tool Holster that carries pruning shears (see page 139).