In Austin, single-use bags are outlawed! That's right, try to get a clerk to put your pop-tarts, peanut butter and coffee into a bag and you could find yourself face down on linoleum tiles with a knee in your back as handcuffs are strapped around your wrists. OK, maybe that's a tiny exageration, but everyone will glare at you for your lack of environmental awareness and you will still have to carry your items out by hand.
Fortunately for me, I have lots of cute bags, and I love sewing them for my friends too! Here's how I do it....
First I draw a pattern. To do this, I often use wrapping paper or a sheet of newsprint from a sketch pad. To make my curves, I use things from around the house. The bottom of this bag is traced from a platter, the curves on the handles are from a Yahtzee cup.
After your pattern is drawn, fold it in half and "even it up" by trimming to make it symmetrical. Now you're ready to go.
Cut out two of your pattern piece from two different prints. If you want a pocket, make a pattern for it too and cut out two of them. (See how I did my pocket below.)
To make the bag reversible, we will actually make two bags that are then sewn together. Every step until we sew the two bags together will be done on both sets.
Make two darts in the bottom of each bag piece. Darts are what give your bag depth. The bigger the dart, the more depth your bag will have. I made 1" darts. Here's how.
Fold your fabric piece in half and measure the distance to where you want your dart (I used 6"). Mark this point. Then measure to the outside of your mark for the width of your dart (I used 1"). Fold the fabric (right sides together) so that the points meet. Along that fold, measure the height of your dart (I used 3") and mark. Draw lines connecting your marks for easy stitching.
With the fabric still folded right sides together, sew your darts on all your pieces.
Now it's time to add pockets if desired. So, let's make one.
Whatever shape you plan for your pocket, cut it with the top edge on the fold. Keep this folded with right sides together and stitch around the perimeter leaving a space for turning.
Clip the curves and turn your pocket right side out. (Now's a good time to press everything you've sewn so far.)
I pressed a cuff onto the top of my pocket and added a decorative button. When I top-stitched my pocket to my bag, I just lifted the cuff to stitch underneath. To do this, pin your pocket in place.
Now that all your darts and pockets are sewn, you can start to sew your bag. With right sides together, stitch around the bottom edge. (I neglected to get a photo, sorry!)
With the bottom of both bags sewn, things are beginning to look exciting! Put one bag into the other bag with right sides together. Line up the edges and pin.
We're going to stitch these edges, but to be able to turn and finish our bag nicely, we will start our seam at the top edge of the handle, leaving 1-2" from the edge unsewn. (It will be easier for you if you go a little closer to the 2" mark.) Each end of each handle will be left open with the stitching stopping and starting the same way.
Now we are going to turn our bag right side out, through one of the strap openings. My best advice for this.... be gentle, but pull hard!
Now everything needs to be ironed again!
Ok, remember how we left space at the end of the straps? Here's why, we are going to sew the straps with right sides together. The first half will be easy, just fold down the print you're not stitching and sew.
The second half is a bit trickier and why I should always leave more distance unsewn! You need to bring these around to meet each other with right sides together. They don't want to obey, but I'll make them!
After all your straps are sewn, you'll now have a tiny gap on the edges. Press everything one last time. Then top stitch the edges of the bag. Your straps will finish like this.
Now you can show off your eco-friendly nature with two stylish options!
