Reversible Project Bag Tutorial

We all have makes that seem to hang around forever before getting completed. Give works in progress somewhere snazzy to live with this reversible project bag.

 

MATERIALS

■    115 x 50cm (45 1/4 x 19 3/4") main outer fabric
■    115 x 50cm (45 1/4 x 19 3/4") contrast and lining fabric
■    2 x 0.6 x90cm (1/4 x 35") drawcord
■    Matching thread

1. Start by making the handles. Cut two 14 x 47cm (5 1/2 x 18 1/2") pieces from either the lining or main fabric - whichever you'd like to see more of on the finished make.

2. Fold the long edges of the cut pieces into the middle until the raw edges meet, then press. Next, fold in half again lengthways so the folded edges meet. Press and sew two millimetres from the edge all the way down the long side.

3. For the main bag, cut two pieces of the main fabric and and two of the lining, each 39 x 20cm (15 3/8 x 7 7/8"). Measure 10cm (4") from one short edge of the main bag piece. Pin one end of the handle and repeat from the opposite short edge - both pinned to the right side (RS) of the main fabric.

4. Machine baste the short edges of the handles to the main bag.

5. Cut two bottom contrasting bands from both the main fabric and lining, 39 x 11cm (15 3/8 x 4 3/8').

6. Attach the contrast bottom panel to the main bag along the horizontal seam. Repeat for the lining. Press the seams upwards in the same direction.

7. With right sides together, line up the horizontal seams and stitch the bag closed around the sides and the bottom. Repeat with the lining. 8. 

8. To create a flat bottom for the bag, take one bottom corner and flatten it to make a triangle shape. Ensure the triangle is symmetrical and check from the inside that the side seam of the bag lines up with the bottom seam of the bag. Measure 3cm (1 1/4") from the stitched corner up the side seam, draw a line across the piece and stitch along this line. Repeat on the opposite corner, ensuring that seam allowances are not twisted.

9. Repeat the instructions in Step 8 for the lining piece.

10. Next, cut two top contrast bands each from the main fabric and lining fabric pieces measuring 39 x6cm (15 3/8 x 2 3/8").

11. Construct the top contrast edge of the bag by stitching together the lining and the outer along one long edge. Press open the seams.

12. Fold in half along the stitched long edge. Mark the middle of the short edges with a notch. Open out the top band and, with right sides together, stitch in between the notches on the short edges. Ensure you start and finish with a good backstitch. Press open the seam allowances and neatly topstitch the seam allowances down. You will have created the openings for the drawcord to pass through. 

13. Loop the contrast band around the top edge of the bag. With right sides together, pin the contrast band along the top edge, ensuring the side openings are aligned with the bag side seams. Sew the top contrast band to the main bag all the way around the long edge. Ensure the handles are sandwiched in between the contrast top band and the main bag. You should add some extra backstitches when attaching the draw cord opening part to ensure this is secure.

14. Attach the other long edge to the lining, leaving a gap of around 8cm (3 1/8") in the stitching so you can turn the bag the right way round through the space.

15. Press the seam allowances away from the top band towards the main bag. Turn the bag the right way round through the gap.

16. Press and fold the top edge along the seam and then top stitch neatly around 1-2mm from the top edge. Pin the gap closed and ensure the top contrast band seams are as perfectly lined up as possible. Using long basting stitches, hand baste the top contrasting panels together along the seam. The handles should be caught within the basting stitch.

17. Now, topstitch along the main body of the bag around 1-2mm from the seam, taking care to stitch the opening closed as you do this. Do not top stitch through the handles. Check the machine stitching looks neat on both sides. Remove the hand-basted stitches. 

18. Now, with a safety pin or a loop turner attached to one end of the drawcord, thread the drawcord through one opening into the channel and pull out the opposite end. To create a looped drawstring, thread this same end back through the same opening round the other side of the bag until the loose end comes out of the opening you started at. Tie the loose ends in a knot. If the drawcord contains some nylon or polyester, you can carefully burn the cut end to melt the fibres a little to seal the edges and stop them from fraying. Press the bag on a low heat to finish.