Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects (44 page)

c.
Now, using the zipper foot on your sewing machine, attach the first side of the zipper by stitching close to the zipper teeth for the length of the zipper, closing the zipper as needed to allow the needle to pass. Backstitch at each end.
(FIGURE 4C)

d.
Follow the instructions in steps 4b and 4c to attach the other side of the zipper to the second top panel, making sure that the zipper is placed so that the short ends of both top panels are even. Your completed top panel with the zipper attached now measures 6″ wide × 20″ long when the zipper is closed.

e.
Using scraps of the exterior fabric, measure, mark, and cut 4 small tab pieces, each measuring 1
¹
/
₂
″ wide × 1
¹
/
₄
″ tall. Using your scissors, round off 2 of the corners of the rectangles, creating half-moon-shaped pieces measuring 1
¹
/
₂
″ wide × 1
¹
/
₄
″ tall.

f.
Place 2 of the half-moon-shaped tabs with
Right
sides together and stitch a
¹
/
₄
″ seam along the curved edge. Then, trim the seam to
¹
/
₈
″.

g.
Turn the tab
Right
side out and press well.

h.
Now, place the tab at one end of the zipper with the flat raw edge of the tab matched to the raw end of the top panel and the rounded edge lying on top of the end of the zipper. Pin in place. Then, using the longest stitch on your machine, machine baste the tab in place with a
¹
/
₄
″ seam.

i.
Follow the instructions in steps 4f, 4g, and 4h to make the second tab and attach it to the other end of the zipper.
(FIGURE 4I)

Step 5. Attach the end panels to the top panel.

a.
Place one end panel on each short end of one of the top panels with the
Right
sides together, matching the 6″ raw ends, and pin it in place.

b.
Attach the panels by stitching a
¹
/
₂
″ seam across the 6″ ends, backstitching at each end. Press the seams away from the top panel. Trim away any excess zipper extending past the seam.
(FIGURE 5B)

Step 6. Make the handles.
*

*
See
page 170
for an explanation of how to make a drawstring (you’ll use the same process to make your handles).

a.
First, place the fusible interfacing pieces, fusible side down, on the
Wrong
side of the handle pieces. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to attach the interfacing to the handles.

b.
Now, fold one handle piece in half lengthwise,
Wrong
sides together, and press firmly.

c.
Unfold the handle piece, fold both long, unfinished edges in to meet the center crease, and press.

d.
Then, fold the handle in half one more time at the center crease, enclosing the long raw edges, and press.

e.
Now, stitch close to both long edges, stitching the entire length of the handle.

f.
Follow the instructions in steps 6b through 6e to make the second handle. Your handles will measure approximately
¹
/
₂
″ wide × 21″ long and the raw ends will be hidden.

Step 7. Attach the side and top panels and insert the handles.

a.
First, find the center of the joined top-and-end panel (with zipper) and then the side panel by folding each of them separately in half,
Right
sides together, matching the short ends, and gently pressing a crease.

b.
Then, place the joined top-and-end panel and the side panels
Right
sides together, matching the pressed center creases. Pin the panels together. The top-and-end panel will be longer than the side panels. Make sure that they are matched at the center crease.

c.
Use your ruler to measure in 3
¹
/
₂
″ from each end of the side panel and make a mark with your chalk pencil. Mark both side panels. You will have a total of 4 marks.

d.
Insert one short raw end of the handle in the pinned seam of the joined side, top, and end panel at the first 3
¹
/
₂
″ mark, placing the smooth, folded edge of the handle facing the center of the side panel and allowing the handle to curve down and away from the top-and-end panel. Insert the other end of the handle at the second 3
¹
/
₂
″ mark at the opposite end of the side panel, making sure not to twist the handle as you insert the ends into the seam.

e.
Now, stitch a
¹
/
₂
″ seam along the pinned edge of the side panel, beginning and ending
¹
/
₂
″ from each end, backstitching at each end. Stitch a second time over the seam where the handles are attached to reinforce the handle. Press the seam toward the side panel.

f.
Then, make a small clip into the edge of the top-and-end panel at each end of the stitching line attaching the first side panel. Clip only into the top-and-end panel; do not clip into the side panel. Clip at each end of the stitching line, making sure not to clip into the stitching line. These clips will be
¹
/
₂
″ from each end of the side panel and will allow the end panels to turn and attach the side panel at each end.
(FIGURE 7F)

g.
Now, turn the top-and-end panel at the first clip mark and match this edge to the short raw end of the side panel with the
Right
sides together. Pin in place.
(FIGURE 7G, H)

h.
Attach this side of the top-and-end panel to the end of the side panel with a
¹
/
₂
″ seam beginning and ending
¹
/
₂
″ from each end of the side panel, backstitching at each end.
(FIGURE 7G, H)

i.
Follow the instructions in steps 7g and 7h to attach the other end of the top-and-end panel to the other side of the first side panel.

j.
Follow the instructions in steps 7a through 7h to attach the other top-and-end panel to the other side panel and insert the second handle. Your bag will now look like a box with no bottom.

Step 8. Attach the bag’s top section to the bottom panel at the side panels.

a.
First, with the
Right
sides together, match one raw edge of the long side of the bottom panel to the bottom edge of the side panel, and pin in place.

b.
Then, stitch a
¹
/
₂
″ seam along the pinned edge, beginning and ending
¹
/
₂
″ from each end of the bottom panel. Backstitch at each end.
(FIGURE 8B)

c.
Follow the instructions in steps 8a and 8b to attach the other side panel to the bottom panel.

Step 9. Attach the bag’s top section to the bottom panel at the end panels.

NOTE:
Before attaching the bottom panel to the end panels, open the zipper partway to allow you to turn the bag
Right
side out easily.

a.
First, match the short raw end of the bottom panel to the raw bottom edge of the top-and-end panel. (The
¹
/
₂
″ unstitched end of the seam on the side and top-and-end panels will allow the top of the bag to turn and meet the bottom panel.) Pin in place.

b.
Attach the top-and-end panel to the bottom panel with a
¹
/
₂
″ seam beginning and ending
¹
/
₂
″ from each end of the bottom panel. Backstitch at each end.

c.
Follow the instructions in steps 9a and 9b to attach the other end of the bottom panel to the top-and-end panel.

d.
Now, using your scissors, trim the corners in the seam allowance,
*
making sure not to clip into your stitching. This will allow the corners to turn easily. Set the bag aside.
(FIGURE 9D)

*
See page 172
for an explanation of trimming corners in the seam allowance.

FIGURE 9D

FIGURE 10F

FIGURE 11D

FIGURE 13H

Step 10: Make the lining for the bag.

a.
Place one lining side panel and one lining end panel with
Right
sides together, matching the 4″ side of the end panel to the lower edge of the side panel. (The side panel will be taller than the end panel.) Pin in place.

b.
Stitch the end panel and side panel together with a
¹
/
₂
″ seam, beginning
¹
/
₂
″ from the top edge of the end panel and ending
¹
/
₂
″ from the bottom edge of the end panel. Backstitch at each end.