Handbag+Instructions

=Handbag Instructions=

//(if not using bamboo handles)// //(if using bamboo handles)//
 * 1. Cutting**
 * Body of Bag – Cut 2 of pattern
 * Lining – Cut 2 of pattern
 * Interfacing – Cut 2 of pattern, Cut 1 width of fabric x 1” (if making fabric straps)
 * Straps – Cut 1 width of outside fabric x 3” (if making fabric straps)
 * If using bamboo handles, cut 2 handle loops (2¼” x 2”) of outside fabric and omit cutting straps.
 * 2. Ironing bag to interfacing**
 * Place bag on rough side of interfacing and iron until it sticks
 * Repeat with other bag piece
 * 3. Making the straps**
 * Iron 3” f abric strip to 1” interfacing strip, lining up long edges
 * Fold interfacing and fabric over twice and fold raw edge under
 * **PIN** along the handle, perpendicular to the length
 * Top stitch ¼” along each long edge
 * Cut into two pieces and set aside
 * 4. Making the handle loops**
 * Fold the fabric in half and **PIN**
 * Sew ¼” seam
 * Turn ri ght side out and set aside
 * 5. Sewing t** **he bag together**
 * A lign the e dges of the body of the bag with right sides facing together
 * **PIN** along the edges
 * Sew the ends and bottom seams, leaving the top edge and corners open (½” seam allowance)
 * 6. Squarin g the bottom of the bag **
 * With wrong sides out, match the side seam with the bottom seam, using a straight **PIN** to keep th e seams aligned
 * Sew across the seam to form a squared off bottom of the bag
 * Turn the bag right side out and press
 * 7. Attaching the handles to the bag**
 * Find the middle of your bag and mark with a pen just at the top of your bag (do not mark below ¼” from the top)
 * Kee p ing the straps straight, align one end of the strap to the edge of the top of the bag, and **PIN** in place three inches to the left of the middle
 * Repeat with the other end of the same strap, pinning it in place three inches to the right of the middle
 * Holding bag top together, pin opposite handle to the top of the other side of the bag, aligning the two ends with the opposite handle's ends
 * Baste ¼” from the top of the bag.
 * Attach ribbon closure to the top of the bag at the middle letting ribbon hang along with the handles
 * //If using bamboo handles, center the handle over the middle of the bag and pin handle loops in place (attaching bamboo handles at this time)//
 * Baste loops ¼” from the top of the bag
 * 8. Make the lining**
 * Place right sides together, aligning all of the edges
 * **PIN** lining pieces together along the edges
 * Sew the ends and bottom using a ½” seam allowance, leaving a 5” area open in the bottom seam for turning the bag right sides out
 * Square the bottom of the lining as you did the body of the bag. (With wrong sides out, match the side seam with the bottom seam, using a straight **PIN** to keep the seams aligned. Sew across the seam to form a squared off bottom of the bag.)
 * 9. Attach the lining to the bag**
 * With the outside of the bag right side out, and the lining inside out, insert the bag into the lining, aligning the top of the bag and the top of the lining
 * **PIN** the two parts together, making sure to line up the edge seams and to keep handles and ribbon down inside the bag
 * Sew around the top of the lining and bag using a ½” seam allowance
 * Turn right sides out through the opening in the bottom of the lining
 * Hand sew or zig-zag stitch the opening in the bottom of the lining closed
 * 10. Finishing the bag**
 * Top stitch ¼” from the top of your bag