Craft Corner: Reusable Bag

Written by Newsberg contributor Angela Draz.

I have received great feedback from Newsberg. Please continue to send your feedback to Newsberg or myself. I look forward to hearing what you want to see in this column. 

Sometimes I need to make a quick stop at the store and I don’t have a reusable bag with me. This March project will take care of that. This bag can tuck into a glove box, purse, or pocket and it’s there when you need it. I hope you enjoy.

Next month we’ll look at what you can do with a sewing kit to do mending in an emergency. 

March Craft – Reusable Bag

• 4 – fat quarters (18” x 22”)
• Ruler
• Pins
• Fabric marking pen or pencil (ballpoint or lead will work)
• Scissors
• Iron
• Sewing machine (or hand stitch)

Cut list

• 2 squares 18” x 18” for bag exterior
• 2 squares 18” x 18” for bag lining
• 2 rectangles 4” x 18” for the handles (use the 4” off the edge of each bag piece or use a different fabric)

Instructions

Prepare the bag for sewing

1. Place two exterior bag pieces right sides together, pin together so they don’t slip.
2. Place two lining bag pieces right sides together, pin together so they don’t slip.
3. Use a marking tool and a small ruler and mark 1.5” square at the bottom corner of both exterior and lining squares. And cut through both layers of the external and lining squares.

Prepare and sew the handle pieces

4. Fold the handle pieces in half lengthwise wrong sides together and press. Open up and fold edges into center and press. Fold in half again and press. This should now be 1”.
5. Top stitch the handle pieces 1/8” from both long sides. Set the handles aside for now.

Sew the bag pieces and create the bottom

6. Sew the bag pieces of both exterior and interior with a 3/8” seam allowance. Sew right and left sides, and bottom. Leave a 4” opening in the bottom seam of the lining for turning. Press seams open. (The right side edge of standard pressure foot of a sewing machine is 3/8” from the needle unless it’s specifically for quilting.)
7. With both the bag exterior & lining pieces inside out, flatten the corner opening so the cut out makes a straight line. Line the side seam with the bottom seam and pin together. 
8. Sew across the corner. Do the same for the other corners of both the lining and exterior.

Attaching handles

9. Turn the exterior bag right side out to mark for handles.
10. Measure from the exterior edge 4” and put a mark. Do the same for the opposite edge both sides.
11. Pin the handle pieces over the center of the mark, aligning the raw edge of the handle with the raw edge of the bag. Pin in place all four points. 
12. Sew a 1/4” from the top edge of the bag. 

Assembling the bag

13. Place the exterior bag with attached handles inside the bag lining, which is still inside out.
14. Line up all the side seams and top seams and pin in place. 
15. Sew around the top edge of the bag 3/8” seam allowance. 
16. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the bottom of the lining. 
17. With bag exterior and lining fully exposed, iron the top of the bag with the handles flat. This will help form a crisp edge when it’s finished. 
18. Tuck the edges of the lining opening together and sew the opening closed either by hand or by machine. 
19. Push the lining inside the bag and take care to line up all seams making sure the top edge seam is right along the top. 
20. Topstitch around the top of the bag 1/4” from the edge. 

Done!