(^1)
First get suitable material and size
up the bag. Here I’m using offcuts
of acrylic canvas. I didn’t have enough for
the whole thing so it means joining
pieces together (see page 77). For a big
bag like this allow at least 6in (150mm) for
the top closure plus 4in (100mm) for the
top hem and 1in (25mm) for the bottom.
(^4)
Using your best edge for the top
and the outside face of the material
draw two chalk lines approximately 2in
(50mm) apart to give you an overall hem
depth of 4in (100mm).
(^7)
Now draw a gentle curve down the
opposite way from the centre mark
to meet the curve up from the hem, so
that the curves forms a wave pattern as
shown here.
(^8)
Next unpin the hem – you only want
to cut the curves into the top fold. It
also helps to fold the material along the
centreline so you can cut the two curves
at the same time.
(^9)
This is what you should end up with
- you’re aiming for a neatly flowing
wave-shaped curve at the centreline and
at each edge of the hem.
(^2)
When using material offcuts I’ve
found that if you start with straight
edges all round it makes the job much
easier. For larger pieces of material and
for an amateur tailor like me, my setting
out square – usually used for cutting
plywood – is ideal to give clean lines.
(^5)
Fold the top edge down to the
second line and pin it. Remember
we are using the outside edge to make
this 2in (50mm) hem.
(^3)
This shows the joined pieces of
material to give me the length
required. If you have excess material I
find it best to make a generous cut. In
this case I used the length of the contents
plus roughly 11in (280mm) so there’d be
plenty of room for the thwart and oars.
(^6)
Mark a chalk line at the centre and
then choose a suitable round shape,
such as a saucer, to draw curves from the
hem line to within about ¾in (20mm) of
the centre mark.
Join
MAKE A CANVAS BAG
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