of the handle should be facing the right
side of the bag and the handles should
hang down the outside of the bag.
Pin them in place.34
Repeat Steps 31-32 to assemble
the bag lining and box the
corners, but leave an opening of 6in
in one side edge for turning. Don’t turn
the lining bag right side out.35
Slip the bag inside the lining,
top raw edges level and side
seams matching. The right side of the
bag should be facing the right side of
the lining fabric and the handles should
be hanging down between the layers
on the front and back. Sew around
the top edge of the bag. Reinforce
the stitching at the handles by sewingover them again using a^1 ⁄ 8 in seam
allowance.36
Turn the bag right side out
through the opening in the lining.
Fold the raw edges of the opening in
and slip stitch the opening closed.37
Press the top edge so the lining
is just inside the top edge. Pull
the handles up and out of the bag (to
keep them free of the stitching), then
top stitch^1 ⁄ 4 in from the top edge all
the way around.38
To cover the bag base stiffener,
fold the 7^1 ⁄ 2 x 15^1 ⁄ 2 in lining fabric
rectangle in half, long edges matching
and right sides together. Sew the long
edge to make a tube. Roll the seam
between your fi ngers until it is in themiddle of one side, then sew across one
short end. Turn the cover right side out
through the opening at the other end.39
Insert the template plastic
rectangle into the fabric sleeve.
Fold the raw edges to the inside at the
opening. Slip stitch the edges together
to close the opening and encase the
template plastic inside.40
Put the stiffener in the base
of the bag and it’s ready to load
up with all the supplies that every
well-equipped nappy bag should
contain. Put the things you need to
fi nd quickly in the outside pockets and
save the inside for bulky items such as
spare clothes, a changing mat and an
extra warmth layer.DAWN HAY
What’s your favourite style of project to work on?
I love piecing fabrics and usually love quilts, but
smallish easy-to-do projects give great satisfaction.
How did you choose the colours and fabrics for these
bags? I fell in love with the blue, and the feature fabric
reminds me of days gone by. Of course, girls have to
be in pretty pinks.
What’s your idea of the perfect crafting weekend?
Away with girlfriends, late nights sewing, yummy food
all cooked for us and solving the world’s problems.
What colours do you tend to gravitate to? Pretty
pastels, creams and rusts.
What would you never do again in terms of crafting?
Scrapbooking ... it takes so long and you hide it away.
Do you have a dedicated studio space for your
sewing? Yes, a converted spare bedroom all set up
with tables and bookcases, but I often migrate into
my dining room to be close to my family and all the
happenings – I like the chatter and laughter.
When did you first decide you loved craft? Always
have done something craft related – hand sewing,
hexagons, knitting, crochet, cross stitch. I just have
to keep my fingers busy.
Do you turn to nature or man-made for inspiration?
Nature, especially when walking along a beach or in a
pretty garden, sitting, admiring, just breathing it all in.
How many of your handmade treasures do you keep
for yourself? Not many because I love to give them
away, but lately I’ve been making for me at home.
How many items do you think you’ve made over the
years? Too many to count. I always try to make gifts
rather than buy them ... love the handmade touch.Gett ing to know ...
100 Homespun