Australian Homespun — October 2017

Preparation and cutting

1

Trace the shapes for each part of

the bag from the Pattern Sheet on

to paper. Label each one and then cut

them out on the traced lines.

2

Lay pink print fabric #1 on the

table right side facing up. Turn

over one of the selvedges by 6in and

pin the layers together. Pin the

pattern for the outer panel A shape to

the fabric, matching the broken line

with the fold. Cut the shape out next

to the edge of the pattern – but don’t

cut the folded edge. Repeat to cut

a second A shape. See Diagram 1.

3

Repeat the process described in

Step 2 with pink print fabric #2 and

the pattern for the outer panel C shape.

4

Repeat the process again with pink

print fabric #3 and the pattern for

the outer panel B shape. Unfold the

remaining fabric and from it, cut:

• One strip, 6in down the length
  of the fabric (strap)


• Two rectangles, 6 x 4in (strap
  connectors)


• Two rectangles, 6 x 8in (zippered
  pocket)


• Two rectangles, 5 x 7in (slip pocket)


• One rectangle, 3^1 ⁄ 4 x 2in (zipper tab).

5

Repeat the process described in

Step 2 with pink print fabric #4

and the pattern for the outer gusset.

This time you will need to fold over

13in of fabric and you only need to

cut one gusset shape. Unfold the

remaining fabric and from it, cut:

• Four rectangles, 1^3 ⁄ 4 x 9^1 ⁄ 2 in
  (zipper panel).

6

Repeat the process described in

Step 2 with the lining fabric and the

patterns for the lining gusset and lining

panel. You will need to fold over 13in of

fabric and cut one of each shape. Unfold

the fabric and trim the cut edge so that

it’s straight. Fold the remaining fabric

in half, right sides together, and cut a

second lining panel shape on the fold.

7

From the foam interfacing or

fusible fl eece, cut:

• Two outer panels, on the fold


• One outer gusset, on the fold

8

From the fusible interfacing, cut:

• Two each of A, B and C on the fold


• Two lining panels, on the fold


• One outer gusset, on the fold


• One lining gusset, on the fold


• Two rectangles, 9^1 ⁄ 2 x 1^3 ⁄ 4 in (top
  zipper panel)


• One rectangle, 3^1 ⁄ 4 x 2in (zipper tab)


• Two rectangles, 6 x 8in (zippered
  pocket)


• One rectangle, 7 x 5in (slip pocket)


• Two rectangles, 3 x 4in (strap
  connectors)


• Strips 6in wide until you have
  suffi cient to measure 50in when
  they’re laid end to end (strap).

9

Fuse the interfacing shapes to

the wrong side of the matching

fabric shapes – except for the strap

connectors. Leave them to one side

for the time being. For the strap,

lay the strips end to end on the

wrong side of the fabric and fuse.

Not all the fabric shapes will have

interfacing.

10

Baste the foam or fuse the fl eece

shape to the wrong side of the

outer gusset. Leave the foam/fl eece

outer panels aside for the time being.

Strap

11

Fold a 6in x 4in strap connector

rectangle in half, wrong sides

together and short edges matching.

Press. Unfold it. Fold each short edge

to meet the centre crease. Press.

Unfold. Fuse a 4 x 3in rectangle

of interfacing in the centre of the

connector rectangle, on the wrong side

of the fabric, as shown in Diagram 2.

12

Fold the long edges back to the

centre crease, then fold the strip

in half along the centre crease. Press.

Topstitch^1 ⁄ 8 in from each long edge.

13

Thread one end of the

assembled strap connector

through a rectangular ring until the

short ends of the strip match and the

ring sits in the fold of the fabric. Stitch

across the fabric as close as you can

to the rectangular ring two or three

times, as shown in Diagram 3, using

your zipper foot.

14

Repeat Steps 11-13 with the

second strap connector rectangle.

15

Trim the 6in pink fabric #3 strip

to 50in long. Fold it in half,

wrong sides together and long edges

matching. Press. Unfold it. Fold each

long edge to meet the centre crease,

as shown in Diagram 4. Press. Unfold.

Fold in^1 ⁄ 4 in at each short edge of the

strip and press. Then fold the long

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

Diagram 3

LISA’S BASTING TIP

Invest in some sewing glue or

tape. I love my Sewline glue pen

and use it all the time when

making bags. I also use wash-

away quilter’s tape and don’t

know where I’d be without both

of these products in my toolbox.

They make things so much easier

when installing zippers, attaching

hardware and creating straps or

handles, and in my opinion, they

are well worth the money.

6in

Fold Interfacing4 x 3in

Homespun 89

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