We're pretty sure this swish bag will make us go to the gym more. In fact, we're convinced that's the reason we haven't fully committed until now. Roomy enough to fit all your workout gear/swimming stuff, and a towel, it'll also come in handy for weekends away. If nothing else, at least your sewing machine will get a good workout.
We love the versatility of it having long and short handles, and the simple popper fastening is a definite bonus, too - quick to sew, and quick to get in and out of.
MATERIALS
■ 1m (39 3/8") patterned cotton fabric
■ 0.5m (19 3/4") plain cotton fabric
■ 0.5m (19 3/4n) wadding
■ 3.5m pink cotton webbing, 4cm (1 5/8") wide
■ Matching sewing thread
■ Large sew-on snap fastener in gold
■ Tailor's chalk
1. Cut the patterned fabric, plain fabric and wadding into 50 x 80cm (19 3/4 x 31 1/2 ") rectangles. Place the patterned fabric on top of the wadding, right side (RS) up and aligning the raw edges.
2. Fold one end of the webbing under by 1cm (3/4"). Pin to the fabric and wadding, 12.5cm (5") in from the left long edge of the fabric and 40cm (15 3/4") up from the bottom short edge, with the webbing running towards the top.
3. Measure out 25cm (9 7/8") of webbing from the top of the fabric, then fold it back, as shown, to create a handle. Pin the webbing back down the right long edge, 12.5cm (5") in from the edge, and along the height of the fabric.
4. Measure out 25cm (9 7/8") of webbing from the bottom of the fabric, then fold in the same way to create a second handle. Pin the webbing back up the left long edge, 12.5cm (5") in, until you reach the start of the webbing.
5. Cut the webbing, leaving an extra 1cm (3/4") from where the two ends meet. Fold the cut end under by 1cm (3/8") and pin to the fabric and wadding so the two ends of the webbing sit neatly together.
6. Starting 3cm (1 1/4") down from the top short edge, and stopping 3cm (1 1/4") up from the bottom short edge, sew along one long edge of the webbing, 0.25cm (1/8") in. Repeat to sew along both long edges of both webbing strips.
7. To secure the handles to the bag, sew a square with a cross running from corner to corner at the bottom of each handle, 3cm (1 1/4") down from the fabric's short edges. 8. With RS together, fold the bag in half along the length, aligning the raw edges. Pin along both of the sides, leaving the short edges at the top of the bag open. Fold and pin the plain fabric in the same way to create the bag lining.
9. Sew the pinned edges on both the bag outer and the bag lining, 2cm (3/4") in from the edge. Oversew at each end to secure, then trim the seams to 1cm (3/8").
10. Flatten one corner of the bag outer so the side seam sits down the middle as shown. Measure 7.5cm (3") up from the bottom of the side seam, then mark across the seam at a right angle. Pin in place, then repeat on the other seam.
11. Sew along the marked lines, oversewing at each end to secure. Trim away the corners, 1.5cm (5/8") from the seam. Repeat Steps 10-11 with the bag lining.
12. Turn the bag outer RS out, then fold the top raw edge to the wrong side (WS) by 1.5cm (5/8"). Press in place. Fold the top raw edge of the bag lining to the wrong side (WS) by 1.5cm (5/8") and press in place.
13. Tuck the bag lining inside the bag outer with WS facing. Neatly align the top edges and pin.
14. To add the long strap, cut a 110cm (43 3/8") length of webbing. Tuck 5cm (2") from one end into the gap between the lining and the outer, aligning the centre of the webbing with one side seam. Pin, then repeat with the other end and the second side seam.
15. Fold back the short handles and pin to the outside of the bag to keep out of the way. Sew around the top of the bag to join the lining and the outer fabrics, 0.25cm (3/8") down from the top edge.
16. Using tailor's chalk, mark a point on the inside of the bag, midway between the side seams, and 2.5cm (1") down from the top edge. Repeat on the opposite inside edge, ensuring the marks line up.
17. Sew either side of the snap fastener to each mark through the lining only, so the stitches don't show on the outside of the bag. Close to fasten the bag shut.
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