Big Beachy Bag

I host a small sewing group each Wednesday. This week we are making Big Beachy Bags so I've been practicing in preparation. The nice feature of this bag is the bottom - 11-inches square. It's not only perfect for the beach, it's a great casserole or side dish transport. 

BIG Beachy Bag

You will need:

1 ½ yards main fabric

1 yard coordinating fabric

Interfacing: 1 yard Pellon fusible Decor Bond 809 (stiff) or Pellon 931 TD (pliable)

Fusible Fleece: 1 ½ yards Pellon 987F

Cut:

Main fabric:

4 pieces 8 1/2 inches wide by 27 1/2 inches long (2 pieces are for the outside, 2 pieces are for the lining)

2 pieces 7 inches wide by 27 inches long (handles)

Coordinating fabric:

4 pieces 8 1/2 inches wide by 27 1/2 inches long. (2 pieces are for the outside, 2 pieces are for the lining)

Decor Bond or lighter fusible interfacing:

4 pieces 8 1/4 inches wide by 27 1/4 inches long

Fusible fleece:

4 pieces 8 1/4 inches wide by 27 1/4 inches long

2 pieces 3 1/2 inches wide by 27 inches long (handles)

Fuse & Mark:

1. Fuse the Decor Bond to 2 pieces of main fabric (NOT THE HANDLES) and two pieces of coordinating fabric. This is the outside of the bag.

2. Fuse the larger pieces of fleece to two pieces of main fabric (NOT THE HANDLES) and two pieces of coordinating fabric. This is the lining of the bag.

At this point you should have 4 panels with fusible fleece and 4 panels with interfacing. The panels with fleece are the lining and the panels with interfacing are the outside of the bag.

On the 4 outside pieces, mark a very small square on the bottom LEFT corner of the right side of the fabric.

On the 4 lining pieces, mark a very small square on the bottom RIGHT corner of the right side of the fabric.

Measure up 8 ½ inches from the bottom where the square is and make a small mark on the wrong side of the fabric. Do this on all 8 panels.

Line up the four outside panels as shown in the picture, matching squares.

Sew:

1.      Sew the left two panels from the square to the 8 ½ inch mark. Iron towards main fabric.

2.     Repeat with the two right panels. Iron towards main fabric or opposite from the way you ironed the first two panels.

3.     Sew the 2 sections together matching center seams.

Now it gets just a little tricky.

4.     Fold one side to meet the side next to it RST. Sew. The two sides will not be even. There will be about 8-inches at the top of the 2^nd side.

5.     Repeat for all four sides.  You should have a bag with points sticking up.

Line up the four lining panels as shown in the picture, matching squares. The lining panels will be opposite from the way the outside panels lined up.

            Outside                                                         Lining

Repeat steps 1 to 5 for the lining panels. Leave an opening in the final seam to turn the bag right side out.

Handles:

1.      Fold your fabric in half long ways with wrong sides together and press a crease.

2.     Open.

3.     Fold the outer edges in to the center line and press. Open.

4.     Center the fleece using the lines as a guide. Fold the outside edges in again (over the fleece and meeting in the center where your first ironed line was).

5.     Press to fuse.

6.     Fold in half, press and top-stitch along both sides.

Pin one end of one handle to a point top on the right side of the lining. Pin the other end to the point top on the panel next to the first one. Make sure the handle is not twisted.  Sew across. Reinforce. Repeat with the 2^nd handle and the two remaining point tops.

Finishing:

Place the outside of the bag into the lining RST. Pin the 4 points, the 4 valleys and the sides. Sew around pivoting at the valleys and sewing just to the inside of stitching on the handles.  Gently clip the inner corners.

Pull bag through opening in lining. Sew opening closed.