Stitches and Stuff: Latest sewing pattern is in the bag
Tuesday, February 6, 2007 7:02 AM PST
By Melisse Laing, columnist
Printable version
E-mail this articleHave you joined the latest creative craze --- making bags? Numerous books, magazine articles and patterns give you instructions for bags that are knit, crocheted, sewn, felted and quilted. You can find designs for everything from a paper gift bag to an lavishly embellished evening bag.
A recent book by Linda McGehee, "The Perfect Bag," has "101 stylish looks from simple patterns." A Krause Publication, it's available in book and sewing stores for $24.99.
My favorite simple bags are totes. They’re great for carrying books, groceries, knitting and quilting projects, even lunches. They're durable, fit easily into a suitcase or corner of the car and can be thrown in the washer when they get dirty.
My favorite fabric for tote bags is denim because of its durability. To jazz it up, I put an insert of another fabric on the front. This is a good place to use a special fabric. You can also leave the top edge open to form a pocket or stitch the insert into several pockets.
You'll need one yard of 45-inch-wide denim. Cut the denim into the following pieces: one 19-inch by 22-inch for the back; two 5-inch by 22-inch front sides; one 7-inch by 15-inch for the front top; one 4-inch by 15-inch for the front bottom; one 4-inch by 19-inch for bottom; two 5-inch by 22-inch for the straps.
For the insert, cut a 12-inch by 14-inch backing. This can also be denim or a lining fabric depending on the weight of your insert fabric. Cut an 11-inch by 13-inch rectangle of your insert fabric. Stitch the insert to the center of the backing. You can even add flannel or light-weight batting in between and quilt it, or embellish with buttons, beads or whatever your creativity inspires.
Turn under one-quarter-inch seam allowance along the lower edge of the front top and press. Topstitch one long edge to the top edge of the insert. Turn under one-quarter-inch seam allowance along top of front bottom and press. Topstitch to lower edge of insert. Turn under one-quarter-inch seam allowance on one long side of each front side and topstitch to edges of insert.
Right sides together, stitch tote front to one long edge of bottom. Then stitch back to other long edge of bottom. Stitch tote front to tote back along side seams. Square off bottom corners by stitching across each side seam at an angle.
If you wish to add a lining, cut it slightly smaller than the tote and construct in the same way, omitting the insert. Turn the top edge of the denim under one-quarter-inch. Turn again to make a double hem and top stitch over the top edge of the lining.
To make the straps, turn under one-quarter-inch seam allowance along both long edges of each strap and press. Turn under one-quarter-inch seam allowance on the short edges and press, adjusting the length if desired. Topstitch the long edges together on both sides. Topstitch straps to outside of the bag two-and-a-half inches from inside edge of front side and in same location on back side.
Quilt artist Melisse Laing has been a stitchery columnist for The Daily News for 25 years. Contact her at melisse@gocougs.wsu.edu .
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