Sew Can Do: Bags

Make a fun summer bag that works as well for the beach, vacations or anytime with my Beachy Keen Bunting Bag Tutorial!

Plus, have a chance to win this big bunch of fabric to make your own bag in my
Red, White & Blue Fabric Giveaway!

I designed this project for my summer contribution as a Team Timeless designer. Now I'm sharing it here too. Using these adorable fabrics from the new Whale Hello! collection, sweet sea creatures are peeking out behind colorful bunting panels:

The vibrant triangles are done in a technique that makes a fabric layer above the nautical prints. It gives the bag a fun dimensional look.

Sweet stripes accent the sides:

While dainty polka dots round out the roomy interior:

Finished bag size: 16" w x 11.5" h x 5.5" d

Seam allowance is one quarter inch unless noted otherwise.

Materials:

- (8) 1/4yd cuts of coordinating cotton fabrics (I used Gail-C7263-Water, Gail-C7262-White, Gail-C7267-Blue, Gail-C7264-Sand, Mix-C7200-Red, Mix-C7200-Sun, Mix-C7200-Pool, Mix-C7200-Blue)

- 1/2yd for outer sides & straps (I used Stripe-C8109-Red)

- 3/4yd for lining (I used Dot-C1820-Cherry)

- 2yds medium weight fusible stabilizer

- Yard stick, shears, iron, disappearing marker/chalk, pins, hand sewing needle

To keep things simple, we'll start with cutting & assembling the bunting panels first.

From the following A fabrics cut:

(1) Gail-C7267-Blue 16.5 inch wide by 2.5 inch high piece

(1) Gail-C7264-Sand 16.5 inch wide by 2.5 inch high piece

(1) Mix-C7200-Red 16.5 inch wide by 4.5 inch high piece

(1) Mix-C7200-Pool 16.5 inch wide by 4.5 inch high piece

From B (bunting) fabrics cut:

(1) Gail-C7263-Water 16.5 inch wide by 4.5 inch high pieces

(1) Gail-C7262-White 16.5 inch wide by 4.5 inch high pieces

(1) Mix-C7200-Blue 16.5 inch wide by 8.5 inch high pieces

(1) Mix-C7200-Sun 16.5 inch wide by 8.5 inch high pieces

Assembly:

Step 1: With wrong sides facing, fold Fabric B strips in half and press along fold. Place pieces over corresponding Fabric A pieces, lining up the raw edges at the top. Pin and stitch layers together one-eighth of an inch from raw edges. Repeat this pairing with all other pieces. A quarter of an inch of Fabric A should peek out at the bottom of each panel:

Step 2: With right sides facing, pin together the lower edge of one panel to the top edge of another, being careful to keep the folded pieces from being pinned. Stitch together and press seams flat.

Continue until all panels are attached to make the Main bag piece. Repeat for other Main side.

Step 3: Starting one quarter inch inward from the left side on the larger panels, use a ruler and chalk/disappearing marker to mark cut lines 4 inches apart. Mark the lower panel so the cut lines are 2 inches from either line in the panel above it. Repeat this same pattern with the smaller panels, marking lines that are 2 inches apart instead of 4.

Step 4: Cut along all lines except for those one quarter inch from the outer sides (those are to mark the seam allowance).

Step 5: Fold the square sections under so the come to a point at the folded edge and press into place. Trim any excess fabric, if necessary to help the triangles to lie flat.

Step 6: Repeat with all square sections and pin in place.

Top stitch along triangle edges. Set completed bunting panels aside and let's begin on the rest of the bag and lining.

Bag Assembly:

From Fabric A (Lining Dot-C1820-Cherry) cut:

(1) 16.5 inch wide by 6 inch high Bottom piece

(2) 6 inch wide by 12 inch high Side pieces

(2) 16.5 inch wide by 12 inch high Main pieces

From Fabric B (Outer Stripe-C8109-Red) cut:

(2) 6 inch wide by 12 inch high Side pieces

(1) 16.5 inch wide by 6 inches high Bottom piece

(4) 4 inch wide by 18 inch high Strap pieces

From Fusible Stabilizer cut:

(1) 16.5 inch wide by 6 inch high Bottom piece

(2) 6 inch wide by 12 inch high Side pieces

(2) 16.5 inch wide by 12 inch high Main pieces

(4) 4 inch wide by 18 inch high Strap pieces

Step 7:Using a press cloth between stabilizer and iron, fuse stabilizer to wrong side of all fabric pieces.

Making the Straps & Closure:

Step 8: Take two strap pieces and, with right sides facing, sew short ends together to make a longer strap. Fold long sides inward .5 in on either and press. Repeat with other strap pieces. Top stitch along all sides. Set aside.

Step 9: Stitch a short end of each lining side piece to either short end of the lining bottom piece, starting and stop stitching one quarter inch inward from beginning and end (this makes it easier to do the next step). Do the same with the outer fabric side & bottom pieces.

Step 10: Pin and stitch width side of a main lining panel to width side of bottom, leaving a 2 inch gap in the middle of the seam for turning later. Start and stop stitching one quarter inch inward from beginning and end. Repeat with outer fabric pieces, but without any gap.

Step 11: Pin Main side to side pieces and stitch together as shown. Trim all seam allowances and corners. Add remaining Main sides.

Step 12: Turn outer bag right side out. Take one strap and pin each of its raw edge ends 3 inches from either end of the bunting side. Baste. Repeat with the other strap on the other bunting side.

Step 13: Slip outer bag into lining with right sides facing, match up corners and pin all along raw edges at top. Stitch together.

Step 14: Turn bag right side out through opening in lining. Push corners out with knitting needle or ruler. Stitch lining gap closed by hand using a slip stitch. Press along top edge of bag and topstitch.

Enjoy your sweet summertime tote!

Now for a chance to win this fabulous fabric bundle of 10 1/2yd fabrics!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today I've got a new free pattern for a super versatile bag that offers lots of options when it comes to use & fabric: the Peeking Pocket Tote Bag Pattern.

What's different about this bag? The curved outside pockets on either side of the bag offer great places to store all sorts of stuff and allow for two fabric prints to be on show at once.

As a result, this handy tote bag can carry lots and these special pockets make it easy to access everything:

I'd been in love with these two fabrics for a while and wanted to make something special with them. The vibrant colors and black background are so great for this time of year. The Faith Brite is the most popular fabric in my shop. It's probably my very favorite too.

When we're running around and I need to carry a bag more than a purse, this one is just perfect because it looks prettier than typical tote bags:

Now let's get to the making!

Materials:
- My Peeking Bag Pocket Pattern Download HERE
- 1 yard Main bag fabric (I used Faith Brite by Timeless Treasures)
- 1/2 yard Peeking fabric (I used Sacred Heart by Timeless Treasures)
- 1 yard fusible fleece or medium batting
- Notions: rotary cutter, pins, hand sewing needle, iron

Download and print the pattern for the pocket (actual size, 100% scale). Cut out and piece together according to instructions.

Cut the following fabric pieces:

- (2) outer pockets from Faith Brite using my pattern piece
- (2) peeking main pieces from Sacred Heart, 16 in wide by 15 1/2 in high
- (2) lining pieces from Faith Brite 16 in wide by 15 1/2 in high
- (2) shoulder straps from Faith Brite, 4 in wide by 26 in high
- (2) fusible fleece pieces for bag 16 in wide by 15 1/2 in high
- (2) fusible fleece pieces for straps 1 1/2 in wide by 26 in high

Affix the fusible fleece (or batting) to the wrong side of the peeking main fabric:

Next, take the pocket panels and attach the double fold bias tape along the pocket curves on each panel:

So each pocket looks like this:

Baste the pocket sides and bottom to the peeking main bag pieces:

Switch over the work on the straps. Fold the shoulder straps lengthwise and press, then open so there's a crease down the middle:

Iron the fusible fleece to one side of the fold:

Fold the fabric edge inward over the fleece and press:

Fold the remaining side inward 1/2 inch, press and fold the strap closed:

Topstitch both sides of each strap:

Pin the strap ends to each bag side, 4 inches inward from either side:

Stitch two rows to attach the straps within the seam allowance:

With right sides facing, pin and then stitch the bag sides and bottom together. Repeat with the lining fabric, but leave a three inch gap on one side for turning.