Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday (Wednesday) - Part Two - Turn a Quilt into a Bag

Update:  This tutorial is now available in as a PDF Downloadable Tutorial.
Click Here is the link to all of my PDF Downloadable Patterns


 Part Two  side seams, inside binding for side seams, and pockets and bottom tucks

Place pretty sides together and stitch both side seams. (1/4" to 3/8" seam allowance).

Inside pocket  - bind top and bottom

If you want an inside pocket, follow the next few steps before you stitch the side seams.  Pocket will show on the photos, so if you aren't adding pockets note that you will see them in the photos from this point on.










Bind the top edge and the bottom edge of the pocket.

stitch side of pocket to body

Then place the pocket on the body of the bag close to the top just below the straps.  Note: your sides seams are NOT sewn yet.  Stitch on the sides and on the bottom edge of the pocket to attach it to the bag inside.

Also stitch thru' the pocket to divide the pocket into sections. See next couple photos.

stitch bottom of pocket to body

stitch to divide pocket into sections

stitch some pockets shorter for pens and finger files

stitch the sides seams

Binding for the inside seam

Stitch a binding strip on the inside seam. (3/8" seam allowance) Leave 1 1/2" stitching out at the top edge.  Do this to both side seams.  See the next photo for trimming the bottom edge about 2 1/2"to 3" from the bottom.

Trim binding about 2 1/2" to 3" from bottom

First part of binding stitched to inside of bag

Flip over to stitch and trim see next photos...

Trim bulky spots so the binding will be able to wrap around it

Fold top edge of binding down and stitch see next photo...

Stitch to tack top edge of binding down

Fold over the binding and pin see next photo

Pin in place before stitching

Stitch the top edge of the binding see how much on next photo

Stitch about 1 to 2 inches to tack down top edge of binding

Then pin and stitch the binding from the bottom edge to the top.

The bound seams should look like this

Stand the bag upright so you can make the tucks in the corners

Pin the tucks for the corners flat so you can stitch across to form the bottom tuck

Stitch twice and then cut away the extra

Trim the excess bulk at the seam

Stitch a binding strip on the trimmed tuck with 1 1/2 inch sticking out on both ends

check if it will fold over - trim if needed

fold over and stitch/tack both ends down

fold over binding and pin in place and stitch

Stitching should look like this

Turn bag inside out and your bag is completed!

I will do another post tomorrow night with several measurements for cutting and finished bags.  This size finishes to a bag that is about 11 inches tall and about 11 inches across and has an 8 inch wide opening on the top. See the photos below.

The original quilt was made using my Easy to Sew Quilt Pattern.  It lets you create an artsy type of quilt without figuring out where the colors and pieces should be placed.  Fun and easy to make!

Special orders contact me at Marcia@craftysewing.com

Any questions contact me at Marcia@craftysewing.com

Info about April Giveaway next post!

Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday - Part ONE Turn a Quilt into a Bag

This Pattern is available as a downloadable PDF HERE.
Do you have a small quilt, table topper, or wall hanging that you would like to make into a simple quilted tote bag or quilted purse?


I will show you the steps in two parts.  *Sewing and quilt binding experience necessary.  If you have made a bag before it should be easy to follow .  If not you may need more detailed directions. I will post Part Two tomorrow night. Please do not start your bag til you have read both posts. 
(Sorry about the spaces in this post... can't seem to fix them)


PART ONE:


How you cut your quilted piece will depend on the size of your quilt and the size you want your bag.  This is the layout I chose for cutting my bag.  My quilt was about 28" X 35"   You really only need to cut the body of the bag and the straps to make a simple quilted tote bag with no inside or outside pockets.  But as you can see in the picture I cut my quilt, so I could have an inside pocket and a pocket purse.  I wrote a pattern for the pocket purse several years ago.   I cut my body of my bag 17" X 28" and the two straps 4" X 25".  In Part Two I will give you measurements for cutting to get finished sizes.


You will need at least 4 (WOF) X 3" strips to make your double fold binding. The longest pieces you will need will be about 25-27 "  for the straps.  I cut them straight grain - not bias.  But you can use bias binding. Press your 3" strips in half to form the double fold binding. We are going to bind all raw edges even on the inside of the bag. (Part Two)


Stitch the binding on the top edge of each end of the body of the bag on the wrong side of the quilted fabric. The 17" sides only.  See photo.  Press flat and then bring the folded edge around to the front side of the quilt and press again so it wraps around and covers the stitching lines. See next photo. Then embroidery stitch it in place. See next photo.

first step of binding

Fold binding around to front side

Embroidery stitch the binding

Stitch a binding strip to one side of each strap.  Stitch it to the right side of the quilted strap.  Press flat.

two straps

Fold up the ends of the straps about 3/8th of an inch and stitch down.  See arrow on photo.












Then fold the strap so that the binding lays flat like in the photo and pin it so the binding is centered and embroidery stitch on the loose edge first and then on the stitched edge next. Make sure you do not sew over the pins.  The strap on the right is finished.

Attaching the straps to the body of the bag. I measure about 4-5 inches from the edge and pin it with a couple pins to hold it tight before stitching, so it does not move or twist.  I prefer to stitch a square twice with regular straight stitches to hold the straps in place. Go slow as this part will be thick!

Line up the other strap on the other side so it matches exactly and stitch the strap to the body of the bag. Go slow as this part will be thick!


* Disclaimer:  I am sharing a construction method for making a simple no pocket quilted tote bag/purse.  This is not a pattern and I did not get the pattern from somewhere else.  I am just sharing how I construct this simple bag.


I did write a pattern for a Pocket Purse and a Checkbook or Calendar Purse. You may want to purchase either or both of the patterns for detailed instructions on how to attached the binding strips.  There are also pre cut kits available for both patterns. 


Also if you do not have a quilt you want to make into a quilted tote bag or purse contact me about having a piece of fabric quilted.  Marcia@craftysewing.com


If you do not sew and would like a finished quilted tote bag you may order one online right now at Quilted Tote Bags.  There is also a slide show of bags there too. More photos in the Photo Gallery. 


Last week's Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday-Is it a Quilt or a Purse?


Special orders contact me at Marcia@craftysewing.com


Any questions contact me at Marcia@craftysewing.com


Part Two tomorrow night...


Marcia




   

A Big Thank You!

My Big Thank You goes out to all who made Project Quilting happen!  To all the participants, the sponsors, the judges, and especially the organizer and creator of Project Quilting, Kim.  Also the general public for viewing and voting! And last but not least , my  friends and family who supported me through hours of crazy quilting ideas and creations which resulted in wonderful final projects for the contest. 

Project Quilting gave me permission to create... What I mean by this, is that I didn't have to follow a pattern.  I would come up with an idea and just start drafting it out on paper or in my head and just go with it!  Sometimes I would have to cut and sew and then rip it out, but I tried new things and really created the ideas that were spinning around in my head!  An extra bonus for me was that I watched a lot less TV at night.  I quilt customer's quilts all day and my only free time are my evenings.  Thanks to project quilting for filling my evenings with creative thinking! 

I am very please to have placed third in the contest!  Makes me smile!  Kim created a wonderful mosaic of my projects.

Watch for an April post which will include the photo directions for making a quilted tote bag from a small quilted piece like a baby quilt or quilted wall hanging.  Learn how to make it in April and do it in May for May for Me!

Do you have a small quilt you would like to make into a quilted tote bag?  Join us for the May for Me celebration!