The Bag Tutorial (Finally)

This is my first tutorial, so bear with me if it's long. Hopefully you will be able to make your own bag after reading this and following the instructions. Please email me if it doesn't make sense, or for those of you that do know how to make these, if you think I left out an important step or you do something different, let me know.

First off, you need to cut out your pieces. I used 3 different fabrics, but you can use 2 colors or more than 3 if desired. (My measurements are given width X length)

Outside dimensions:
2- 18 X 12 inches (my giraffe print)
1 - 18 X 14 inch (stripes)

Inside dimensions:
1- 18 X 38/1/2 inch (neutral fabric)

Straps
2 - 4 X 30 (I did 2 2 X 30 of each the giraffe and neutral fabrics and then sewed them together to get my 4 X 30 inch straps.)

Pockets
I used leftover stripe fabric to form my pockets. You can customize these to fit your needs. I cut my pockets out to 12 X 16 inches. When you are deciding how big you want them, realize that the size you cut out will be folded in half.

You will also need stiff plastic canvas and magnetic snaps (both found at Joanns). Also, I like to tie my fabrics together on the outside by sewing ribbon next to the seam. If you decide to do this, you will need a little over a yard of ribbon. 18 + inches for one side and the same for the other.

Lastly you need about 2 yards of stiff interfacing. It doesn't need to be double sided, you just need to iron it on to the wrong side of your fabric.

Alright, now that you know what you need to buy...now it's time for the instructions.

1. Cut out your pieces of fabric.

2. Cut out your interfacing. I lie my fabric on top of the interfacing and just cut around it. Next, iron it on, and trim the excess off.
3. Take your outside bag pieces and lay them out how you want them to look. (Giraffe, stripe, giraffe) Sew them right sides together. Iron seams open.

4. Next, sew your ribbon on.

(I usually sew mine right above the seam.)
4. Fold this new strip of fabric in half, right sides together, pin and sew down each side making sure to line up seams.

This is what it will look like inside. Iron open seams again. (I forgot to do this step, but it helps a lot!)

6. Next, press corners out and draw a line 2.5 inches up and 5 inches across on both sides. Pin and then sew along this line. It provides you with a flat bottom in your bag.

This is what it looks like after you sew it.

7. Turn bag right sides out and push triangles corners flat across the bottom of bag.

8. Take your plastic canvas and cut it to fit the bottom of your bag. It should be 18X5 inches.

9. Place in bottom of bag.

Now you are ready for the inside of the bag. First you will need to make your pockets.

10. Fold in half right sides together and sew each edge, leaving a small opening on the side or bottom.

11. Turn inside out. You can now tuck the open ends in and close the hole or wait and close the hole with the next step.

12. Pin your pockets on your inside fabric. Measure down from the top of each side for exactness. Remember that 5 inches will cover the bottom of the bag.

13. Sew down 3 sides of the pocket, leaving the top open that is nearest the top of the inside fabric.

14. If desired, sew down the middle of your pocket to form 2 pockets. I usually measure the size of a sippy cup, my wallet, diapers or wipes to determine my pocket sizes.

Your sewed on pocket.

15. Once your pockets are attached, fold in half, right sides together and sew down the sides. Follow step 6 again and make your bottom.

Now you have the inside of your bag complete. Place inside of bag in the outside bag. If you measured everything correctly and used the same seam allowance with everything, your bag should fit perfectly inside. Mine never does and I end up having to make my inside bag smaller by sewing down the sides again with a bigger inseam.

16. Next are the straps. Like I said before I used 2 different colors to make my straps. If you are doing this, sew them together and press the seam open.

Now with your 4X30 strap, fold in half, iron and then fold edges into the middle, pin and iron down.

17. Next you are going to sew along the edge of both sides of the strap. Your finished strap. Do the same for the second strap.

18. With your bag placed together, fold the tops in so they are facing each other. Measure so that it is even around the top. Pin in place.
19. Take your straps and measure in 4 inches from each side and pin in between the inside and outside fabrics. One strap should be on one side, the other strap on the other side. Measure your straps so that they are the same length.

20. Now you just need to add the magnetic snaps. I got lazy and didn't take picture of this step. Basically I measure down 1.5 inches below where my strap is attached. Take your seam ripper and make a little hole. (You will have to unpin where your straps are.) Place one of the snap arms in the hole and decide where the other hole needs to be. Use your seam ripper and make the other hole. Put backing on snap and push arms out to hold in place. Put the connecting snap on the other side under opposite strap. Make sure that it lines up and snaps together.

Your last step is to sew along the top of the bag, closing everything off. It can get thick sewing over the straps and the side seams so go slowly. I didn't do it with this bag, but you could add cording around the top for a more finished look.

All done! I hope you like your bag! For other bag ideas check out the It's All in the Bag link to the right and you can also see my bags by clicking here.