Catch-All Bag

Materials: 3 coordinating fat quarters ½ yard of fusible stabilizer 10 in. zipper 1 yard of strap (This can be anything you choose. I used a shoelace for the yellow bag. You can use shoelaces, ribbon, strapping, or make your own straps out of one of the fabrics.)

Pattern: I like to use file folders to create my patterns. They are really sturdy and hold up well through multiple uses. For this project the same pattern piece will be used differently to cut each piece of fabric. I do this so I have less to store in my pattern files. If you would like to cut a separate pattern piece for each fabric, please feel free. **Note** I trace around my patterns with a seam allowance disc made by Clover. This adds a seam allowance of about 1/3 of an inch. Please make sure to add a seam allowance of at least ½ in. If not, it’s no big deal; your bag will be slightly smaller. You DO NOT need to add a seam allowance around the zipper tabs. *Please see pattern page for further instructions.

Cutting Your Fabric: Fabric A-Top of the bag Fabric B- Bottom of the bag Fabric C- Lining Fusible Stabilizer **Please see note above about seam allowances Fabric A: Trace around the entire pattern. Cut 2 pieces; Trace around the zipper tab. Cut 2.

Fabric B: Fold your fabric. Place the longest side of the pattern against the fold. Trace around all the short edges. Cut 1.

Fabric C: This is the tricky one to mark. Fold fabric. Trace around the three short edges on each side of the pattern. Mark where the 8 in. side of the pattern starts on each side. Flip the pattern piece and all the way around to the other side. Cut 1. Trace around the zipper tab. Cut 2.

Fusible Stabilizer: Follow instructions for fabric A and B. You do not need to cut out a zipper tab. I also do not add the seam allowance to my stabilizer. This cuts down on the bulkiness of the seams.

Once you have all your pieces cut out, you need to iron them.

Directions: *I apologize if the pictures are confusing. I sewed two different bags and used a combination of the pictures. 1. Fold each zipper tab down 1/3 in. Pin fabric A to the front of the zipper and the lining fabric to the back, just above the zipper stops.

2. With your needle set to center, start sewing just above the fold. I sew to the end of the zipper (about 1.25 in.) Do this on both sides of the zipper at both ends.

3. Next, you’re ready to make a little sandwich. First, lay down your lining fabric, right side up. Then place your zipper, right side up, along the top edge. Next, place one piece of fabric A, right side down, on top of the sandwich. Make sure the long sides of the fabric line up with the edge of the zipper.

4. Set your needle to left of center. Sew along the long edge of the fabric. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. *sorry no pic, I guess I forgot to take one.

5. Flip the fabric so the zipper is on one side, and the fabric (wrong sides together) is on the other. Top stitch along the seam you just created.

6. To sew the other side, fold the lining fabric in half, right sides together, lining up the opposite end with the zipper. Place the other piece of fabric A, right side down, completing the sandwich again. Pin. Complete step #4 for this side of the zipper.

7. To complete the top stitch on this side of the bag, make sure to open the zipper, and keep an eye on the lining. Make sure not to sew it into the seam.

8. Next, we’re going to add the straps. Cut two straps, each 18 in. long. On fabric A, mark 2 in. from each side and 2.5 in. from the bottom. Repeat on the other side.

9. Pin the edge of the strap along the edge. No matter how wide your strap is, the outer edge will be 2 in. from the edge.

10. I have found it best to sew along the top edge first, then turn and sew down to the bottom, across the bottom, and back up to the top. Repeat for both sides.

11. Pin your finished handles to fabric A so they are not in the way for the next few steps.

12. Fold the lining over to the left. Pin the long edge of fabric B to the fabric A (right sides together). Sew along edge.

13. Flip fabric B so the right side is up. Top stitch along the seam you just made.

14. Fold fabric B over to meet the edge of fabric A. Pin and sew along the edge.

15. Turn the tube you created right side out and top stitch along the new seam. It will look like it won’t fit through your machine without catching the lining, but it will. Just go slow.

16. This is what you should have so far.

17. Turn the fabric so both “tubes” are wrong side out.

18. It’s hard to explain the next sandwich of material. Please see the pictures. Flatten the fabric so that both the lining and outer fabric are right sides together. Pin the short ends.

19. You may notice that your edges don’t line up. This is caused by the width of your zipper. Just trim them off.

20. Sew along both pinned edges.

21. Ready for the next sandwich? Don’t worry, you’re almost done. Please refer to the pictures to help you through this step. Fold outer fabric and line up the center seams, pin. Fold and match up lining to the rest of the sandwich. Pin. Sew along the seam. Repeat for a total of three of the edges, leaving one open.

22. For the last seam, pin the top outer fabric and lining like normal. When you pin the other half, only pin the outer fabric. This leaves half the lining open for turning.

23. When you sew this edge, sew from the outside to the center. See photo below for what it should look like when you are done sewing.

24. CAREFULLY turn the bag right side out.

25. Hand sew the small opening in the lining.

You’re done! If you have any questions, please contact me through my blog at: http://sewingsteph.blogspot.com/