Sunday Bags

I have had several friends want to make some of these little bags, so I thought I would put the pattern and directions out there so that anyone can make one if you want :)

Cut list:

1 -Main Body- 12" X 19"
      Cut 1- Fabric A (outside fabric), 1- Fabric B (inside fabric) and 1 Batting (warm and natural kind)

2 -Notebook Pocket- 12" X 14"
      Cut 1- Fabric B

3-Misc. Pocket- 12" X 10"
      Cut 1- Fabric A

4-Crayon Pocket- 12" X 7"
      Cut 1- Fabric A

5-Velcro Flap- 3" X 4"
     Cut 1- Fabric A or B

6-Front Pocket- "7 X 7"
     Cut 1- Fabric A or B

7 -Handles- 12" X 3"
  Cut 2 Fabric A or B



You will also need a small piece of sew-on Velcro. They do make a sticky-back velcro, but I worried that because children would be using this, it might not stay on as long as I would like it to, so I went with the sew-on.

Instructions:

Cut all pieces. (Be careful if you are trying to match a pattern in the fabric that you cut them all in the same direction)

Press piece number 1- (Main Body) in half so that it measures 12" X 9.75". (Press fabric A (outside) wrong sides together, and fabric B (inside) right sides together).

Press pockets, #2, #3 and #4 in half (wrong sides together) so that they measure 12" X 7", 12" X 3.5", and 12" X 5".

Press #5- (Velcro flap) in half, right sides together so that it measures 3" X 2".

Press #6 (Front pocket) in half, right sides together so that it measures 7" X 3.5".

Top-stitch pockets. Top-stitch (at 1/16") the pressed fold of each of the pockets, #2, #3, and #4.

Measure 1 3/4" up from the raw edge of pocket #2, and draw a line.

Line up the raw edge of pocket #4 with the line you just drew on pocket #2.

Sew along raw edge of pocket #4 at 3/8". Fold over seam, press and topstitch.

Leaving 1" margin on each side, measure and mark every 1 1/4" along pocket #4.

Starting 1" from the edge, stitch from top of pocket to bottom of pocket. Then repeat every 1 1/4" on your marks, thus making narrow pockets for each individual crayon.

Open piece #1 (Fabric B-inside). Measure 1 1/2" from center fold and draw a line.

Align raw edge of pocket #2 (with pocket #4 sewn on), with right sides together and stitch at 3/8". 

Fold over seam, press and top-stitch. 

Measure in 1 1/2" on other side of center fold and draw a line.

Align raw edge of pocket #3 with the line you just drew.

Stitch at 3/8". Fold over seam, press and top-stitch. 

Stitch from top to bottom of pocket to make pockets whatever size you wish. I made one for a small pad of paper and a few narrow ones for pens or pencils, and then some medium size ones for whatever fits in them.

Now that your inside is finished, pull out your #1-(Main Body) Fabric A (outside).

Open it up and measure 3" up from the center fold. Draw a line. 

Find #6- (front pocket)

Stitch down sides at 3/8". 

Turn inside out, and top-stitch along folded edge. (I did 3 rows of top-stitching on this one, just for fun)

Line up raw edge of #6 (front pocket) with the line you drew on outside of #1 (main body). Stitch at 3/8", fold over seam and top-stitch sides and bottom- leaving the top open.

Now that the outside is finished, lets sew it together :)

Stack pieces in the following order:

Main Body batting

Then, inside main body- right side up

Then, outside main body- wrong side up.

(So, your main body pieces should be laying right sides together on top of your batting.)

Pin every 3-4 inches all the way around, leaving a 6" gap on each end to insert handles later.

Stitch all the way around your bag at 3/8" ---make sure you don't sew your handle opening shut!

Clip your corners, making sure not to cut your seams, and turn bag inside out.

This is my favorite part because all of the sudden it looks like something!

Press your edges all the way around including your handle gaps.

Pull out your handles (#7). Fold in, and press, about 1/4"  from both of the edges. (see below)

Cut a strip of batting that is half of your width. Fit it in under your newly pressed seam. Fold the other half over so that your pressed edges line up. Pin and top stitch edges together. 

I like to stitch both sides of the handle so that it matches.... 

Pull out your velcro flap (#5). Stitch top and side, leaving the bottom open.

Clip your corner.

Turn inside out and top-stitch around all 3 edges, leaving the raw edge open. 

Sew on your piece of velcro. Stitch all the way around it at about 1/16". Make sure to lock your seams, this little piece of the bag will take a lot of wear and tear and we don't want that velcro to com off.

Insert your handles and velcro flap into openings at the end of your main body and pin in place

Top-stitch all the way around your bag. 

Measure with velcro flap where to place the other velcro piece, and then stitch it into place using a 1/16" allowance just as before. (Make sure not to stitch your pocket on the back closed....I did that once....) 

And YOU'RE DONE!!! 

Fill it up with all it's goodies and you are ready to go!

Hope that's clear as mud :) If it isn't clear, let me know and I can try to help. Happy sewing :)