Grab Bags

Designer: Bonnie Kozowski

• 1⁄2 yard print A (bag)
• 3⁄4 yard print B (lining)
• 18x44"  thin quilt batting or craft fleece

Finished bag: 13x18"

Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width.

Measurements include 1⁄4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut pieces in the following order. Click on "Download this Project" above for patterns.

From print A, cut:

• 1 each of Bag Pattern and Bag Pattern reversed

From print B, cut:

• 1 each of Bag Pattern and Bag Pattern reversed
• 2--6-1⁄2x15" rectangles

From batting, cut:

• 2 of Bag Pattern

1. Layer a batting bag piece on wrong side of each A print bag piece. Machine-baste a scant 1⁄4" from edges to make bag front and back (Diagram 1).

2. Fold a B print 61⁄2x15" rectangle in half lengthwise to make a 3-1⁄4x15" rectangle. Sew together along three open edges, leaving a 3" opening for turning in the bottom edge (Diagram 2). Turn right side out through opening. Press, turning under raw edges of opening, to make a pocket. Repeat to make a second pocket.

3. Position a pocket on the right side of each B print bag piece at the widest part; pin in place. Referring to Diagram 3, topstitch bottom edge of each pocket, then stitch two lines 5" apart to divide each pocket into compartments. Trim pocket side edges along curve of bag piece; baste a scant 1⁄4" from edges to make lining front and back.

1. With right sides together, sew together bag front and back from clip to clip along side and bottom edges (Diagram 4). Clip into seam allowance where marked. Turn bag right side out; press flat.

2. Repeat Step 1 to sew together lining front and back, leaving an opening for turning between the dots in the bottom seam (Diagram 5). Do not turn right side out.

3. Insert bag body into lining (they will be right sides together). Sew together bag body and lining along inside and outside edges, beginning and ending 2" from top edges (Diagram 6). Pull bag and lining through opening in lining bottom. Hand- stitch opening closed. Push bag into lining so the bag is wrong side out.

4. On the lining, carefully press under 1⁄4" on the handle upper edges. Keeping the lining out of the way, pin together the long handle ends of the bag body; stitch with 1⁄2" seam allowance (Diagram 7). Repeat to join the bag body short handle ends.

5. Turn in remaining raw edges of handles on bag body and lining handle (the lining handle ends should overlap each other); pin in place. Turn right side out. Topstitch around all edges to secure the handle ends and complete the bag (Diagram 8).