Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects (42 page)

FIGURE 3G

FIGURE 3H

c.
Trim the corners on the stitched short edge, making sure not to cut into the stitching line.

d.
Then, turn the 2 raw edges of the short, unstitched edge
¹
/
₂
″ in toward the
Wrong
side of the fabric and press.
(FIGURE 3D)

e.
Turn the bag panels
Right
side out by pulling them through the open short end, and use a turning tool
*
to push out the corners.

*
See page 172
for an explanation of a turning tool.

f.
Now, turn each edge of both 10″ unstitched sections
¹
/
₂
″ toward the
Wrong
side and press.

g.
Pin the folded edges on the short unstitched edge together and stitch close to the folded edges to close the end of the bag panels.
(FIGURE 3G)

h.
Then, take the short end that you just stitched and push it down inside the opposite short end of the bag panel until the 2 short ends meet, creating an outer bag and a lining. The short ends of the bag panels will become the bottom seams and the 10″ unstitched openings will create 2 separate top folded edges connected at the side seams. These will become the casing and the side vents of the finished bag.
(FIGURE 3H)

Step 4. Finish the top edges of the bag and make the casing for the leather handles.

a.
First, match the bottom and side seams of the bag and the lining. Press the top folded edges of the bag flat, making a nice, crisp edge.

b.
Then, using your ruler and chalk pencil, measure down from one top folded edge 1
¹
/
₄
″ and make a mark. Move the ruler across the top edge and measure down 1
¹
/
₄
″again and make another mark. Use your ruler to connect the marks and draw a line from one side edge to the other side edge.

c.
Follow the instructions in step 4b to measure and mark the other top edge of the bag.

d.
Now, pin the bag and lining together along the marked lines, making sure to keep the front bag and lining pinned separately from the back bag and lining.
(FIGURE 4D)

e.
Then, stitch along the drawn line on each of the top edges, backstitching at each end. This stitching line creates the casing for the leather handles.

f.
Now, pin the folded edges along the side vents from the stitching line at the casing down to the point where the side seam begins.
(FIGURE 4F)

g.
Stitch close to the folded edges, beginning at the stitching line for the casing. Stitch to a point just below where the side seam begins. Leaving your needle in the down position, lift the presser foot and turn the bag. Stitch straight across the side seam. Again, with the needle in the down position, lift the presser foot and turn the bag. Continue to stitch up the other side of the first vent, close to the folded edge, stitching until you reach the stitching line for the casing. Backstitch at each end of your stitching.

h.
Follow the instructions in steps 4f and 4g to stitch the second side vent.
(FIGURE 4H)

Step 5. Insert and finish the leather handles.

a.
First, insert one of the
¹
/
₂
″ × 32″lengths of leather into the casing on one side of the bag. Slide the leather through the casing and out the opposite end.

b.
Then, being careful not to twist the leather, overlap the ends of the leather
¹
/
₂
″. Stitch the ends of the handle together with button/carpet thread and a leather hand sewing needle, protecting your fingers with a thimble.

NOTE:
You may find it helpful to secure the ends of the leather with a small piece of masking tape to avoid slipping while you are stitching. Remove the masking tape when you are finished.

c.
Follow the instructions in steps 5a and 5b to insert and finish the second leather handle.

d.
Slide the leather handles so that the joined ends are hidden inside the casing of the bag, and gently gather the top edges of the bag along the leather handles.

FIGURE 4D

FIGURE 4F

FIGURE 4H

PATCHWORK HANDBAG WITH ZIPPER CHARM

FINISHED SIZE: 5” TALL × 5” WIDE × 15” LONG (EXCLUDING HANDLES)

Funky and practical, this modern, boxy bag will hold it all and is great for everyday use. Its appeal comes from the unique patchwork design, which features heavyweight fabric for great shape support and sturdiness. And the zipper pull gives this stylish bag an added dose of charm!

FABRICS

• 1 yard (44″- or 60″-wide) heavyweight cotton fabric for the top, ends, bottom, and handles

• Small pieces of coordinating heavyweight cotton fabric for the patchwork side panels (enough to complete a patchwork panel measuring 18″ wide × 15″ long)

•
³
/
₄
yard (44″-wide) light- to mid-weight cotton fabric for the lining

•
¹
/
₄
yard heavyweight fusible interfacing for the handles

•
³
/
₄
yard (44″-wide) light- to mid-weight cotton or muslin for the backing of the patchwork panel

• 1 package (34″ × 45″) cotton batting

• 6″ (1mm-or 1
¹
/
₂
mm-wide) leather string, for the zipper charm

OTHER SUPPLIES

• Coordinating thread

• 20″ to 22″ coordinating nylon zipper

• Polyfill for the zipper charm

• Yardstick or ruler

• Chalk pencil or fabric marker

• Scissors

• Straight pins

• 1″-wide masking tape

• Zipper foot

• Hand sewing needle

• Turning tool (such as a closed pair of scissors)

• 4
³
/
₄
″ × 14
³
/
₄
″ piece heavy cardboard

NOTES

• All seams are
¹
/
₂
″ unless otherwise stated. (The
¹
/
₂
″seam allowance is included in all pattern pieces and cutting measurements.)

• Preshrink your fabric by washing, drying, and pressing it before starting your project.

Step 1. Cut out all pieces from the fabric.

a.
Measure and mark the dimensions below directly onto the
Wrong
side of the fabric, using a yardstick and a chalk pencil. Then, using your scissors, cut out each panel following the marked lines.

FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE TOP, ENDS, BOTTOM, AND HANDLES

• Cut 2 top panels: 3
¹
/
₂
″ wide × 20″ long

• Cut 2 end panels: 4″ wide × 6″ long

• Cut 1 bottom panel: 6″ wide × 16″ long

• Cut 2 handles: 2″ wide × 21″ long

FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE LINING

• Cut 3 panels (sides and bottom): 6″ wide × 16″ long

• Cut 2 end panels: 4″ wide × 6″ long

• Cut 2 top panels: 3
¹
/
₂
″ wide × 20″ long

• Cut 2 bottom sleeve panels: 5
³
/
₄
″ wide × 15
³
/
₄
″ long

FROM THE FUSIBLE INTERFACING

• Cut 2 handles: 2″ wide × 21″ long

FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE BACKING