Make your own cotton bag!
Firstly, chose a fabric that is going to be strong enough to hold. I recommend cotton, you can get a great range of patterned cotton and a fat quarter is going to be enough for your bag.
Ready to begin?
If your fabric is plain you can cut one piece of fabric twice the size of your finished bag, fold this with the seam running along the bottom.
If you have a printed fabric and the patter is directional (like my bunting fabric) you must cut two pieces each the size of your finished bag, making sure that you are working with your pattern the correct way up!
Sew along the sides (and bottom) of your pieces leaving the top edge open. This forms that main body of your bag. Use an over-locker or the zig-zag stitch on your machine to seal the seams, this will keep the inside of your bag tidy. If you would like an even tidier finish you can give your bag french seams.
 |
| My bag pieces sewn together at the sides and the bottom edge |
Now you can move onto the straps. My bag has straps that are 28" long, you can adjust this to your preferred length, generally speaking you want your bag opening to rest a few inches below your armpit - anything shorter and it can be uncomfortable to wear, especially when the bag is full.
Cut two pieces of fabric 2" wide and your desired length + 1" for joining. Use a bias tape make if you have one to fold the fabric edges into the middle, press these with an iron ready to be sewn.
Once sewn, press the straps pulling them straight as you iron.
Take the bag and fold the open edge to create the hem. Fold 1/2" and press, fold over again and press. This will give a neat hem ready to attach the straps.
Measure an equal distance from the centre of the bag front in each direction and mark where you will attach your straps.
Take one end of a strap and tuck this under your bag hem, refold the hem folding the strap inside of the hem, fold the strap and pin in place ready for sewing. Attach the other end of the strap in the same way ensuring the the strap is not twisted. Attach the other strap to the other side of the bag ensuring that the straps match both in placement and in length.
Sew a line of stitching 1/8th " from the edge of the bag opening ensuring that the bag straps are sewn in place neatly. Sew a parallel line of stitching this time in line with the edge of the hem. This will hold your straps in place firmly.
Press your bag and your bag is complete!
 |
| Strap pieces ironed and ready for sewing |
Fold the strap piece in half with the neatly pressed edges together and sew approximately 1/8th of an inch or 1/2 a cm from the open edge along the whole length of the strap.
 |
| Sewing the strap closed |
 |
| Sewing the strap closed |
 |
| Straps before and after pressing |
 |
| Bag opening - 1" fold |
Measure an equal distance from the centre of the bag front in each direction and mark where you will attach your straps.
Take one end of a strap and tuck this under your bag hem, refold the hem folding the strap inside of the hem, fold the strap and pin in place ready for sewing. Attach the other end of the strap in the same way ensuring the the strap is not twisted. Attach the other strap to the other side of the bag ensuring that the straps match both in placement and in length.
Sew a line of stitching 1/8th " from the edge of the bag opening ensuring that the bag straps are sewn in place neatly. Sew a parallel line of stitching this time in line with the edge of the hem. This will hold your straps in place firmly.
Press your bag and your bag is complete!
Comments
Post a Comment