We have finished our ten weeks of
sampler blocks using our scraps and it’s now time to make something useful with
your blocks. You can use any bag pattern you want to show off your piecing but
I have designed a simple bucket bag with webbing handles that you might like.
The instructions follow. Do not be put off by the little bit of maths as once
you have the numbers, the bag goes together quickly.
Requirements
30.5” by 8.5” unfinished panel of
blocks
Bosal or similar to make the bag
stand up nicely.
30.5” by 8.5” for the lining
10” square of bosal, lining
fabric and outer fabric for the base
Two 15” pieces of webbing for the
straps
Quilting
You first need to quilt your
panel and base of the bag using the outer fabric and bosal. Once quilted, trim
the panel of blocks and measure. Don’t panic if the panel is smaller than you
started with as that is the effect of the quilting
Width of panel _____ (A)
Using these measurements we are
going to work out the radius of our base.
Finished size of panel _____ (A) - 0.5” for the seam allowance = _____ (B)
Radius of base _____ (B) multiplied by 7
divided by 44 = _____ (D)
Plus 0.25” for the seam allowance = _____ (R) round to the nearest 0.25”
Example
Width of panel 30.25” (A)
Using these measurements I worked
out the radius of my base.
Finished size of panel 30.25” (A) - 0.5” for the seam allowance = 29.75” (B)
Radius of base 29.75” (B) multiplied by 7
divided by 44 = 4.75” (C)
Plus 0.25” for the seam allowance = 5” (R) round
to the nearest 0.25”
Cutting out
Take your rectangle of lining
fabric and trim down to the same size as your quilted panel.
Set your compass to your radius
measurement (R) and draw a circle on
both the quilted bottom and the 10” square of outer fabric. Cut out with
scissors
Stitch 1/8” in from the edge of
the quilted outer panel and the quilted bottom.
Phew you’re now ready to sew it
all together.
Putting the bag together
1. Stitch
the lining together at the short ends using a ¼” seam and press open. Repeat
for bag panel. Then sew
2 lines of topstitching parallel to the side seam to keep the seam
allowance open. I sewed about 1/8” away from the seam.
2. Mark
the following into quarters:
Bag panel at
bottom of panel
Lining at
bottom of lining
Quilted circle
for bottom on inside
Circle of
lining on inside
3. Pin
the quilted base of the bag to the bag panel using the quarter registration
marks and then pin extensively as shown. I sewed the pieces together with the
base closest to the sewing machine and the bag panel upper most. Take it slowly
but surely.
4. Repeat
for the lining.
5. Now
we’re ready to put it all together. Unpick 6” of the side seam of the lining to
enable us to turn the bag.
6. Fold
the bag in half with the seam of the bag panel as one edge. Find the half way
point on both side and mark. Then mark 1.5” to either side of that marking.
Line up the webbing for the straps to the outside of these marks with ends
extending 1” above the edge of the bucket bag. Pin or baste in place on the
right side of the bag panel.
7. Insert
the lining of the bag inside the outside of the bag, right sides together.
Place the seam of the lining opposite to the seam of the outside to eliminate
bulk. Hold together with binding clips and sew together with a ¼” seam
allowance.
8. Turn
the bag right side out through the hole in the lining. Stitch the hole in the
seam closed either by hand or machine.
9. Roll
the seam of the top of the bag to ensure the lining is now peeking out and use
binding clips to keep in place. I then top stitched 1/8” and ¼” from the edge.
I hope you have enjoyed our fun
little sewalong and do share your finished bags using #scrapbagsampler There will be instructions for a second bag on 16 March as I have more blocks than I needed. Thank you to you for joining in
and to my friends who agreed to design a little block for your enjoyment.
No comments:
Post a Comment