Learn to Make This Gorgeous Patchwork Bag Step by Step!, by Hobby Crafting on YouTube. 2 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Wash and press all your fabric so it does not shrink after sewing. Cut your patchwork pieces from the templates, adding a 1 cm seam allowance to every edge.
Lay the pieces out on a flat surface and arrange the florals and solids until the colors balance. Take a photo of the layout so you can rebuild it later.
Sew the pieces together in small groups first, right sides facing. Press each seam open as you go so the patchwork stays flat.
Join the groups into two bag panels. When you sew a curved seam, clip the allowance every 1 cm and press the curve gently with the iron.
Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of both patchwork panels and the lining pieces. This gives the bag body and helps it hold its shape.
Place the two patchwork panels right sides together and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Repeat with the lining, but leave a 10 cm gap in the bottom.
Box the bottom corners of both the outer bag and the lining by stitching across each corner, then trim the excess. Turn the outer bag right side out.
Pin the handles in place on the right side of the outer bag, about 8 cm in from each side seam. Stitch them with a box and cross stitch for strength.
Slip the outer bag inside the lining with right sides facing and sew around the top edge. Pull the bag through the gap in the lining, then hand stitch the gap closed.
Press the top edge and topstitch 5 mm from the seam all the way around. Give the whole bag a final press and trim any loose threads.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a fresh needle and a slightly shorter stitch length on curves to avoid puckering.
Sew slowly around tight curves and keep the fabric flat instead of pulling it.
Backstitch at the start and end of every handle seam so the handles do not pull out.
Keep your fingers away from the needle and unplug the machine before changing the needle.
Questions
Do I need a special patchwork foot?
No. A standard presser foot works fine. A 1/4 inch foot just makes it easier to keep an even seam allowance.
Can I make this bag without a pattern?
Yes. Draw a simple rectangle template on paper for the bag body and add a 1 cm seam allowance to each side.
How much fabric does one bag need?
About half a metre of the main print, a quarter metre of each solid and half a metre of lining is enough for one medium tote.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
