Book Bag Tutorial

book bag tutorial title pageThe Craftyguidelets are very lucky to go to a school where they can have piano lessons during the school day.   Eldest started last year, and youngest has her first lesson today.

During the summer holidays, eldest Craftyguidelet reminded me that I had promised to make her a bag to put her piano books in last year.   This prompted youngest Craftyguidelet to ask for one too.   As we were standing in the fabric department in John Lewis, I was cornered.   I am naturally weak when it comes to resisting the purchase of fabric anyway, so I bought some lightweight black denim for the main body of the book bags.   Eldest Craftyguidelet chose the nice Tim Holtz music fabric, and youngest Craftyguidelet chose the owls.book bag tutorial fabric choices

I was going to make book bags with a velcro fastening flap like their normal school book bags, but instead we compromised on a simple tote bag style (these bags were made the night before their lessons so I was going for the easy option!).   My finished bag measures 41cm long x 30cm tall (excluding handles) so check the dimension of your books and adjust accordingly before putting scissors to fabric.book bag tutorial owl bag finish

To make a bag you need:

* 1 piece of fabric 42cm x 46cm cut from main fabric
* 2 pieces of fabric 16cm x 46cm cut from accent fabric
* 2 pieces of webbing 45cm long

I’ve used a 1cm seam allowance unless stated otherwise.

1. With right sides together, attach one piece of the accent fabric to each end of the main fabric, matching the 46cm sides.   book bag tutorial sew seamIf your fabric design has a top and bottom, ensure the bottom of the pattern is next to your seam line or your owls will be standing on their heads!book bag tutorial sew accent panels onto each end of main fabricNeaten edges and press the seams flat.book bag tutorial neaten edges

2. Prepare the hem for the top and bottom edges by ironing a small fold and then a larger fold to make an enclosed hem.   I used 1cm and then 3cm.book bag tutorial hem top and bottom

3. Position the handle 14cm from each edge under the fold you have just ironed.   book bag tutorial inserting webbing handleFold the hem back over the handle and stitch the hem closed close to the edge.book bag tutorial handle placement

4. Fold the handles up and sew in a cross pattern to secure.   Repeat for the other handle.book bag tutorial fold handles up and secureOCD and perfectionist crafters look away now.book bag tutorial handle sewing crossIt was late at night when I did this so my cross isn’t sewn to my usual high standards!

5. Fold the fabric wrong sides together (yes, wrong sides!), matching the hems.   Stitch the side seams.   book bag tutorial french seam wrong sides togetherTrim the seam allowances slightly.

6. Turn inside out and stitch again to make a French seam, making sure you enclose the raw edges fully.book bag tutorial french seam right sides together

7. Turn right side out and press.book bag tutorial owl and music bag finish8. Marvel at the lovely bag you have just made in hardly any time at all!

You can use my tutorial to make bags for your own personal use only.   Please do not reproduce the tutorial in any way without permission.

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