Bag it up…..

After impulse buying a Moda ‘Winters lane’ mini charm pack, whilst looking for interfacing, I was at a loss as to how to use it.  Trawling the web I found a number of ways to use these little squares and particularly liked some of the patchwork bags. So I decided to have a go myself.

Front of bag                                                                                                                                             First I laid out the squares in 4 rows of 5 and jiggled them around until I was happy with their order. I then stitched all the squares together.

I then cut 2 strips of coordinating fabric measuring 3″ by 11″ and 2 further strips measuring 3″ by 20″. The shorter strips were then sewn to the side edges of the patchwork squares, the longer strips along the top and bottom.

The front of the bag was then quilted very simply, crossing the squares and running straight lines (using the sewing foot as a guideline) along the edges. Two robins were cut out of brown and cream felt and applied to double sided interfacing. These were then ironed onto the front bag panel before zig-zagging in place. Legs were machine stitched roughly – going over each line several times, and a red breast appliqued over the main bird.

Adding a pocket                                                                                                                                       I thought that I would like to try and add an inside pocket to the lining of this bag and opted for a hidden zipped pocket.  I followed this simple tutorial by Professor Pincushion but here are a few pictures of my progress.

 

 

Straps                                                                                                                                                 Once the pocket was completed I made a start on the bag handles and tie. For the handles I cut 4 strips (in 2 co-ordinating fabrics) approximately 2″ by 20″. I took one of each material and sewed them together before ironing on interfacing. After that I folded either side into the middle and then folded in half before stitching along each edge.

Cut the strips of co ordinating fabric.

Sew the two pieces together.

Fold each side into the middle.

Sew along both edges.

Adding the straps and tie.

Adding the straps and tie.

Sewing on the lining.

Bag front and lining.

The tie was then placed in the middle of the bag with the handles equidistance apart (from centre line). The lining was then sewn to the bag front with right sides together – see pictures above. The other piece of lining was sewn right sides together with the back of the bag. The lining and bag front/back were then pressed open.

Putting the bag together.

Place front panel over the back.

Cut out the corners.

Box up the corners.

Finished bag.

You should now have two bag panels. Put these right sides together, making sure that the handles and ties are safely tucked inside. Cut 3″ squares at each corner of the bag. Sew along the edges leaving a gap at one end and box up the corners. Turn the bag the right way out, sew up the gap and press – finally run a line of edging stitches around the top of the bag. And there you have it – a simple charm pack tote.

But why make one when you can make………

I particularly like the blue bag and decided to add little shisha mirrors rather than appliqued birds.

So now have quite a few Christmas gifts already made….Happy stitching.