Increasing the size
• First decide how much larger you would like your finished bag to be. Take that measurement, divide it in half and add that halved measurement all around the edge of the bag pattern piece(s). Say, for example, you want your finished bag to be 10cm (4in) larger overall; you would add a 5cm (2in) margin all around the outside of the bag pattern piece(s). Always remember to add on your seam allowance if you haven’t already.
• NB If your pattern piece is marked with a ‘place on fold’ instruction you will need to add your margin around all pattern edges except the edge where you are instructed to ‘place on fold’.
Decreasing the size
• First decide how much smaller you would like your finished bag to be. Take that measurement, divide it in half and subtract that halved measurement from all around the edge of the bag pattern piece(s). Say, for example, you want your finished bag to be 10cm (4in) smaller overall; you would subtract a 5cm (2in) margin from all around the inside of the bag pattern piece(s), remembering to include your seam allowance if you haven’t already.
• NB If your pattern piece is marked with a ‘place on fold’ instruction you will need to subtract your margin from around all pattern edges except the edge where you are instructed to ‘place on fold’.
Make it…The Versatile Book Bag
Here we have three different versions of a basic book bag shape. I bet you can’t stop at one! Master these simple totes and with the help of this book you’ll soon be adding your own cool features like zip pockets, darts and fancy fasteners.
Easy as Pie Pretty fabrics really lift the basic design of this bag.
Flat-Bottomed Girl It’s quick and easy to pop a flat bottom into a bag, and your bag will look that bit more professional.
Peek-a-Boo Pleats Insert a bright fabric into the pleat to make eye-catching peek-a-boo pleats.
Need to know
As these bags are unlined you might prefer to use fabrics that are the same colour on both sides (self-coloured) such as canvas or linen.
All seam allowances are 1cm (3⁄8in) unless stated otherwise.
There are no patterns for these bags as all you need are fabric rectangles. Fabric measurements are given in the instructions.
Easy as Pie & Flat-bottomed girl
The super handy easy-as-pie tote bag is about as basic as can be but that’s no reason for it not to look pretty. Whip up a few in under an hour for emergency presents. Jazz them up by playing with your fabric choices, use posh handles, or try adding a fabric flower. Our flat-bottomed girl is almost the same as the Easy as Pie bag except it has a flat bottom. A flat bottom is so easy to insert, gives the bag some 3D shape, and helps prevent your stuff from getting squashed at the bottom of your bag.
You will need
For each bag
• 1 piece of canvas or linen fabric for exterior, 50cm (1⁄2yd) x 112cm (44in) wide
• 1 piece of contrasting medium-weight fabric for bottom panel and straps, 50cm (1⁄2yd) x 112cm (44in) wide
• Sewing threads to match the fabrics
• Disappearing marker
Preparation
Cut the fabric pieces as follows:
• Main body panel pattern = 81 x 35cm (32 x 133⁄4in) – cut:
• 1 x exterior fabric
• Bottom panel pattern = 35cm (133⁄4in) square – cut:
• 1 x contrast fabric
Also cut:
• 2 strips of contrast fabric, 68 x 10cm (263⁄4 x 4in), for the bag straps
Assemble Easy as Pie
1 Stitch the bottom panel to the exterior main body panel – take the bottom panel WSU, fold in both short edges 1cm (3⁄8in) to the WS and iron the folds. Lay the bottom panel RSU onto the centre of the RS of the main body panel and match up the side edges. Check that the short edges of the bottom panel are lying at right angles to the side edges and pin. Stitch the bottom panel to the main body panel by topstitching along the short edges of the bottom panel. See Fig a.
Fig a Ensure that the short edges of the bottom panel are nice and straight on the main panel; you don’t want the bottom panel to look wonky on your finished bag.
2 Stitch the long raw edges – stitch along both long raw edges with a zigzag stitch that’s wide in width and short in length to prevent the raw edges from fraying.
3 Stitch the bag – fold the bag in half widthways RST. Match all edges, pin and stitch along the side edges of the bag. Iron the bag.
4 Fold and stitch the top edge band – with the bag still WSO, fold down the raw top edge 1.5cm (1⁄2in) to the WS of the bag and iron the fold. Fold down another 2cm (3⁄4in) in the same way, iron and pin. Topstitch all around the top and bottom edges of the band ensuring you stitch though all layers 3mm (1⁄8in) from the edges. See Fig b. Turn the bag RSO and iron.
Fig b Topstitch all around the bottom and top edge of the bag band.
5 Make up the straps and stitch them to the bag – take the bag strap fabric pieces and follow the steps in Closed-End Straps to make two closed-end straps. On the RS of the bag, measure and mark 8cm (31⁄8in) in from both side seams