Library bag tutorial

Hello out there. Here is my bag tutorial, as promised. Please go easy on me, this is my first tutorial...I hope all my math is correct :) Please feel free to leave me a comment if you are having problems or have questions and I'll do my best to help.

You can click on the pictures to see them bigger.

Ok, here we goooooo....

I have used 3 different fabrics. But you can use 1, 2, 3 or even 4. You'll need pieces for the front, back, 2 sides, bottom and the same for a lining. I did my lining all in the same color.

Fabric 1

Cut one 9 1/2" x 15" piece
Cut one 6 1/2" square piece
Cut one 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" piece
Cut two 5" x 9 1/2" pieces
Cut two 6" square pieces

Fabric 2

Cut two 15" x 15" pieces-lining pieces
Cut four 10" x 15" pieces-3 for lining, 1 for outside bottom
Cut two 6 1/2" x 15" pieces

Fabric 3

Cut two 10" x 15" pieces

Cut two 4" x 43" pieces for the strap, of whichever color you want. I used Color 2.

One 6" zipper

Here is mine. The fabric on the left is Fabric 2, then 3, then 1.

STEP 1 - STRAPS

Take your 4" x 43" strap pieces and fold them lengthwise, press, and open. Then fold in the two long sides, so they meet in the middle,and press.

Fold in half lengthwise and sew along the open side. Then sew on the other side too. (sorry for the fuzzy picture)



STEP 2 - RECESSED POCKET

Your pocket pieces are Fabric 1-two 6" squares, the 6 1/2" square and the 3 1/2"x 6 1/2" piece.

Lay one 6" pocket piece face up, put the zipper edge along the pocket edge, right side up. And then lay your 3 1/2"x6 1/2" piece on top of the zipper, right side down. Pin.
Using your zipper foot, sew a 1/4" seam.




Fold the 3 1/2"x 6 1/2" piece open, and top stitch along the seam.



Now do the same thing on the other side of the zipper, using the 6"square on the bottom, and the 6 1/2" square on the top.


Open and top stitch that seam also.

Now take both your outside pieces (the 3 1/2"x 6 1/2" and the 6 1/2" square) and fold them over to the left. Leaving your zipper laying flat, and your two 6" square pieces laying to the right.


One of your 6" square pieces will be a little shorter now, than the other, due to the zipper lying flat. Trim that piece to match the other and sew around all three sides of it, from zipper to zipper, pivoting at the corners.


Fold the 6 1/2" piece down over the pocket, so that you can see the zipper and 3 1/2" piece. Press.

Take your two 5" x 9 1/2" pieces and sew them to either side of your zip pocket, going right over your zipper teeth. You may have to lift the presser foot up to do this. Press.


Step 3 - FRONT AND BACK

Place one strap right along these two side seams (both sides of zipper), hanging 1" over the bottom of the bag, and looping at the top, pin in place.
Lay a Fabric 2- 9 1/2" x 15" piece along the bottom, right side down. Pin and sew a 1/4" seam.

Take your other strap, measure 3 1/2" in on your Fabric 1- 9 1/2"x 15" back piece. On both sides, pin your straps in the same way as the front, and pin on the other Fabric 2 - 6 1/2" x 15" piece. Sew, then press open.

Starting at the bottom of one strap, sew up the length of it, toward the loop. Stop 3/4" from the top of the bag. Pivot and sew, pivot and sew down the length, pivot and sew to where you first started. (I sewed right on the seams of the handles.)Do this to all four pieces of straps.

STEP 4 - SIDES

Using your 10" x 15" fabrics, sew your side fabric piece to a bottom fabric piece, on the 10" sides. Then add another side piece. I used fabric 3 for my sides, and fabric 2 for the bottom.


Do this with your lining pieces too.

Lay the front of your bag right side up. Place the side panel right side down, pin and sew a 1/4" seam (you can use a 1/2" seam for more strength if you want.) Stopping at your 1/4" seam line (the seam that sews your side to the bottom). Back stitching at start and ending.

Now line your bottom piece up with the bottom of the bag front. You'll have to make sure the side panel is out of the way.



Pin and sew a 1/4" seam, making sure to back stitch, and stop at the next 1/4" seam.
Pin the next side panel to the side of the bag, keeping the bottom piece out of the way. Pin and sew.

When you are done, it should look like this.


Now sew the back onto the side and bottom pieces in the same way. You will end up with a 'box', like this (after turning right side out). Turn right side out.

STEP 5 - LINING

Sew your side/bottom/side to one piece of your 15" lining square.
Then sew the next 15" lining square to it, in the same manner you did the outside bag. You'll end up with another 'box' the same size as your outside bag. DO NOT turn your lining bag right side out!

Fold down the top edge 1/2" on both the lining bag and the front bag. Sew all the way around. Making sure to keep the straps out of the way. Here's how mine looks like sewing.



Place your lining bag inside the outer bag, matching up side seams. Pin and sew all the way around, again, watching out for those straps.

Now wasn't that easy?

I would love to see pictures of any bags you make. These are made heafty by using a strong weave cloth, like broadcloth, for the lining and outside bottom and straps.

And easy to make any size!

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I just found Fabric Tuesday, on The Quilt story blog, and thought I'd link my bag up on it. Wow, a lot of firsts for me this week :)

It looks like Quilt Story has a bunch of fun things going on. I am thinking of doing their block party next month too! Go check it out, looks like a lot of fun.

Hope you enjoyed my tutorial. Till next time....

Dorian
Copyright D. Lucas, 2011 This is my tutorial. You are welcome to use any of my tutorials for personal use. You are not permitted to use my pictures or my words without linking back to the original and giving me credit for them.