edges to meet the centre crease again,
and fi nally, fold the strip in half along
the centre crease. Press. Top stitch(^1) ⁄ 8 in from all four edges of the strap.
16
Fold in 1in at each end of the strap
and press. Feed one end of the
shoulder strap through the slider, over
the centre bar and back out the other
side. Push the centre bar up into the
fold. Pin in place, then topstitch two or
three times over the topstitching that’s
already^1 ⁄ 8 in from the end of the strap
to secure it in place. See Diagram 5.
Outer bag panels
17
Cut the white lace in half and
pin a strip to the top edge of
each C shape. Baste it in place using
a^1 ⁄ 4 in seam. Trim the ends even with
the edges of the fabric.
18
Lay out the A, B and C shapes
for the front and back of the
bag. Sew them together, pressing the
seams up towards A. Trim all seam
allowances to^1 ⁄ 4 in. Topstitch across
the panels^1 ⁄ 8 in above each seam.
19
If you wish to include a
decorative label on your bag,
add it now. Lisa topstitched a label in
the centre of the A shape on the back
panel, 1in down from the top raw edge.
20
Baste the foam or fuse the
fl eece shape to the wrong side
of each outer bag panel. Add any other
embellishments to the panels. Lisa
pleated lengths of printed ribbon and
topstitched them along the top edge
of the B shapes. She also sewed an
assortment of buttons on the B shapes.
21
Fold the outer gusset in half,
short edges matching, and
crease the centre. Fold each of the
bag panels in half, left and right edges
matching, and crease the bottom edge
Bag front Bag back
Diagram 4
Diagram 5 Diagram 6
LISA’S PRESSING
TIPS Make friends with your
iron! Although it’s a bit of a hassle
at times, taking the time to press
a seam flat, or pressing fabric
so it’s ready to stitch, will make
a huge diff erence to your final
bag. Press seams as instructed
and not only will the bag look
much more professional, the
pieces will fit together better, too.
90 Homespun
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