Tricks for Treats

Designer: Kim Christopherson of Kimberbell Designs

Finished bag: 11-1⁄2×13×3"

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

• 18×21" piece (fat quarter) candy corn print (bag body)
• 18×21" piece (fat quarter) white spiderweb print (bag body, pocket) 
• 6" square novelty print (pocket)
• 5⁄8 yard gray print (handles, lining) 
• 2­—-15" squares lightweight fusible interfacing

Cut pieces in the following order. 

From candy corn print, cut:

• 2—-10×15" rectangles

From white spiderweb print, cut:

• 2—-5-1⁄2×15" rectangles
• 1—-6" square

From gray print, cut:

• 2—-15" squares
• 2—-4×17" strips

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

Press seams in directions indicated by arrows on diagrams. If no direction is specified, press seam toward darker fabric. 

1) Sew together a candy corn print 10×15" rectangle and a white spiderweb print 5-1⁄2×15" rectangle along long edges to make a pieced unit (Diagram 1). The unit should be 15" square including seam allowances.

2) Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse an interfacing 15" square to wrong side of pieced unit to make bag front. 

3) Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make bag back.

4) With right sides together, join novelty print 6" square and white spiderweb print 6" square along all edges, leaving a 3" opening for turning (Diagram 2). Clip corners to reduce bulk. Turn right side out through opening. Use the eraser end of a pencil or a chopstick to gently push out corners to make pocket unit; press.

5) Referring to Diagram 3, center pocket unit atop right side of bag front, 1-1⁄2" above seam line; pin. Topstitch along side and bottom edges of pocket unit to make pocket.

Fold one gray print 4×17" strip in half lengthwise, wrong side inside (Diagram 4). Press to crease center. Open strip and fold each long edge to creased center. Fold again on center crease to make a 1×17" strip; press. Topstitch along both long edges to make a handle. Repeat to make a second handle.

1) Referring to Diagram 5, position ends of one handle along top edge of bag front, 3-1⁄2" from each side edge. Baste in place. Repeat with remaining handle on bag back.

2) With right sides together, join bag front and bag back along side and bottom edges (Diagram 6).

3) To shape bottom of bag, at one corner match side seam and bottom center of bag to create a flattened triangle (Diagram 7). Measuring 1-1⁄2" from point of triangle, draw a 3"-long line across triangle. Sew on drawn line. Trim excess fabric, leaving a 1⁄4" seam allowance. Repeat with remaining corner. Turn right side out to make bag body.

1) With right sides together, join gray print 15" squares along side and bottom edges, leaving a 5" opening at the bottom for turning, to make lining.

2) Refer to Assemble Bag Body, Step 3, to shape bottom corners of lining. Do not turn lining right side out.

1) Insert bag body into lining with right sides together, matching side seams; pin. Sew together upper edges of bag body and lining. Turn bag body right side out through opening in lining. Slip-stitch opening closed. Smooth lining inside bag body.

2) Press top edge and topstitch 1⁄4" from edge to complete bag.