Grow-A-Bag (Bottomless Bag Challenge #11)- Now with Tute (Pic Heavy)- Pg. 3

[craftADDchick]

I have been crazy busy (very broke, so tutoring several hours a week for extra cash), but next weekend starts my vacation. It is at the TOP of my to-do list.

And, you're not bugging me- I need reminders

So, by the end of vacation, the tute will be up!

[craftADDchick]

Just an update to let you know that I am figuring out the math of the bag- I'm making a small, lunchbag-sized version for the tutorial, but I want to make sure I include a good explanation for scaling it up to a larger bag.

And, I think I've worked out a way to make the buttons look and work better!

[craftADDchick]

Finally! And it has only taken me 15 months to put this together. Let me just say that 2007 was “The Year I Tried To Do Too Much…And Failed…”

So, now that I’ve cleared dozens and dozens of things off of the list…here you go…

And I apologize for the wait (but thanks for your patience!)!

The Grow-A-Bag is essentially a heavily modified Jordy bag- http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=32204.0

The bag I’m making for the tutorial is a lunch bag (albeit a good sized lunch bag). It will measure about 10” wide, 12 1/2”   tall, and 6” deep. At the end of the tute, I’ll try to explain how to modify the measurements for other sizes.

And, sorry for the lousy picture quality- my camera is going on strike, it seems…

Step 1: Gather your supplies



Two contrasting, yet complimentary fabrics for the outside of the bag (You’ll notice I tried to get away with 2 fat quarters. One is fine for the “accent fabric”, but not enough for the main fabric…so I had to switch it out)
Fabric for the bag liner (I’m using a shower curtain liner to line the inside of my lunch bag)
Narrow webbing for the handles (or you can make them out of fabric)
Thread
Closure of choice (I used loops and buttons on the original, but wasn’t happy. I planned to use buttons and buttonholes for the modified version, but I’m feeling lazy. So, I’m using Velcro.)
Interfacing (optional)

Step 2: Cut your fabrics

The most tedious part (aside from sewing on buttons…which is why I’m using Velcro )…

For this size bag, you’ll need:
Accent fabric: 4 pieces that are 3 1/2” X 17”
Main Fabric: 4 pieces that are 5” X17”
Main Fabric: 2 pieces that are 6 1/2” X 17” (these are the bottom sections)
Lining Fabric: 2 pieces that are 16 1/2” X 17”

Note: I am using 1/2” seams. Adjust the dimensions accordingly if you want smaller (or larger) seam allowances.

Step 3: Cut the bottom notches

To make the wide bottom of the bag, you’ll need to cut out notches from the lining pieces and the 2 bottom sections of the main fabric. For this bag, I cut out a 3 1/2” square notch.




That’s all I have for now…tomorrow night…Sewing!

If you are anxious to start sewing, you can sew the lining like a Jordy bag. And, you don’t need to leave the opening at the bottom.

If you still want to sew some more, then you can line up the strips of fabric for each side of the bag and sew them together (refer to original Grow A Bag for illustration of what I mean). The notch in the bottom piece should be at the very bottom.

Don’t sew anything else together, though!

Tutorial continues here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=150364.msg2700515#msg2700515

[beeshebags]

Hiya Chicky....thanks heaps for starting the tute, now I can start cutting out, and making sure I have all the required items....which I don't normally do before I start (bad habit I know) and that'll help towards my deadline!

Looking forward to the next instalment.

Hugs
Naomi

[craftADDchick]

Here's the next chunk o' tutorial

Step 4: Stitching together the outside of the bag: Part 1    

With right sides together, lay the first accent strip along one edge of one of the main fabric strips. Pin in place. You are starting at the top of the bag, so if you have a fabric with an obvious direction, you may want to pay close attention to the orientation of the strips. Stitch together along the pinned edge.

Take another main fabric strip and, right sides together, lay it across the other edge of the accent strip. Pin and stitch.

Take the second accent strip and, right sides together, lay it across the other edge of the second main fabric strip. Pin and stitch.

Take the bottom piece and, right sides together, lay the long, un-notched edge across the other edge of the second accent strip. Pin and stitch.

You will (hopefully) end up with one side of the bag stitched together like this:

   


Repeat with remaining strips for the second side of the bag.


Step 5: Stitching together the outside of the bag: Part 2    

Press the seams towards the main fabric of the bag. You might notice in the photo below that I didn't do this. I realized afterwards that I should have, since it will make things a bit easier a couple of steps from now.

Right sides together, and matching all seams, pin and stitch the sides of the bag. Do not sew the bottom of the bag.

   


Step 6: Making the outside closure: Part 1

If you are not using Velcro, you will skip this step…go and do something fun while I spend ages sewing on Velcro strip.  Hmmm…maybe buttons aren’t the most tedious part….

Position the Velcro strips evenly around the bag, stitching in place close to the edge of the accent fabric. For this bag, I used 2 strips on each 6”  side of the bag, and 3 strips along each 10” side of the bag. The picture helps with this explanation…

   



And, that’s it for now…I have more Velcro to sew. I think I'll get to the next, most difficult to explain step on Thursday. After that, it should be smooth sailing!

Tutorial continues here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=150364.msg2711387#msg2711387

[craftADDchick]

Long story short...

A lost shipment of butterfly larvae, the run-around by FedEx and 23 disappointed 2nd graders has fried my brain...2 days of dealing with this problem...and still no caterpillars...

And the thought of sewing on 40 pieces of Velcro, well...not tonight...

But definitely tomorrow...

[craftADDchick]

Step 7: Making the outside closure: Part 2- The Placket

And the winner of the most excessive use of Velcro is….

I really don’t know why I thought Velcro would be quicker…

In any case, here’s the next step. It’s hard to explain, so I have a bunch of pics that may or may not be helpful.

First, tuck the top edge of the bag inside the bag, leaving a strip that is wide enough for your fastener (snaps, buttonholes, etc.). Since I used Velcro, I could use that as a guide. Press the fold.



Then, pull the top of the bag back out and fold the pressed edge over onto the accent fabric. You should be folding it along the seam line. See picture for clarification…I hope!
   

Press and pin in place.
   


Carefully turn the bag inside out, taking care not to draw any blood with the pins

You will be stitching along the seam line between the accent fabric and the main fabric. This is why it was important to press your seams the right way in step 5- I broke 2 needles here because I pressed them the wrong way.

   


When you turn the bag back to the right side, you should have a lovely placket!
   
   


You’ll repeat this process on the second section so that you end up with 2 plackets.

If you didn’t use Velcro, you’ll need to attach your fasteners now. So, hammer on snaps, sew buttonholes and buttons or whatever else you have.


Step 8: Finishing the outside of the bag    

Now, that the hard part is finished, you can relax. Because if you don’t understand my directions, you’re essentially making a Jordy bag from here on in…

With right sides together, pin and sew the bottom seam of the bag.

   

Then, matching up the bottom seam with the side seam, bring the sides of the notched section together to close up the bottom. Pin and stitch.

   

Pin bag handles in place and baste in position.
   

Admire your work…

Step 9: Making the lining    

With right sides together, pin and stitch the sides and bottom seam of the bag.

   

Sew the corners together just like you did for the outside section (I prefer to machine sew this part and leave the turning opening along the top edge of the bag.

Turn the lining right side out.

Step 10: Final assembly

Turn the outside of the bag inside out. Tuck the lining into the bag (the right side of the lining should be facing the right side of the bag), and pin in place along the top edge.

   

Leaving an opening for turning, stitch the top edge of the bag.   

Carefully turn the bag right side out through the opening. Press the top edge of the bag.

Topstitch around the top edge of the bag, making sure that you are closing up the opening.

And that’s it!





Tutorial now available as a PDF! With an extra picture or two, and Grow-A-Bag Math (see post below), all in one handy document (that is 3.5 MB!). Click here to download the PDF!

[beeshebags]

Hi Cindy,

I'm running round in a HUGE circle at this end, clapping...giving you the round of applause that you very much deserve.

As soon as I get some more ink (think my printer is running low as it's not printing the whole page right now!) I'll print off the tutorial I've saved, and will be back to post a pic of the completed one(s) I make.

Thank you so much for the tutorial, I know you've been challenged (Sewing machine timing going out and everything else) trying to finish it in time for me and I do so appreciate that.

Hugs
Naomi

P.S. I haven't forgotten about the timing instructions for you, I've just been a bit busy, but will move it up a few spaces on my to do list!

[craftADDchick]

If you'd like to make this bag in a different size, here is some (untested) math for you...

Let me know if you don't understand something or find any mistakes!

Grow-A-Bag Math   

These calculations are based upon a bag with 5 sections that are equal in size.

First, determine the following dimensions:

Bag Height (BH)- from the top to the bottom of the bag: __________

Bag Length (BL)- across the “front” of the bag: __________

Bag Width (BW)- from front to back of the bag: __________

Placket Size (PS)- based upon the size of your fastener: __________

Seam Allowance (SA): __________

Length of strips (all strips are the same length):

SA X 2 = __________
   
BL + BW = __________

   Total: __________

Height of accent strips:

BH / 5 = __________

SA X 2 = __________

   Total: __________

Height of main fabric strips:


BH / 5 = __________

SA X 2 = __________

PS X 2 = __________

   Total: __________



Height of bottom piece:

BH / 5 = __________

SA X 2 = __________

BW / 2 = __________

   Total: __________


Notch size:

BW / 2 = __________

SA X 2 = __________


   Total: __________



I’m pretty sure that these calculations are correct, but if you find any errors, please let me know!

ETA: I forgot the math for the lining...

Lining:

SA X 2=_______

BH= ________

BW / 2 = ________

Total= __________

The length of the lining and the size of the notch are the same as the outside of the bag.

[hat-and-bag-lady]

Thank you for the Tutorial. (I also liked the Fold-up grocery tote. That was great. I'm still getting compliments on it and have the material to make another one.) but this is something that I think I also need. (Actually, my mom who is "addicted" to jackets & Sweaters says that I need another bag like she needs a new jacket...right before she says "oh. That's a nice fabric on that jacket"  )