Strip Patchwork Casing

The design for the large craft bag will include a substantial drawstring around the top allowing it to be pulled closed for carrying around but opened up for the stowing and removal of larger quilting items.

After making the two patchwork sections that are to be added as pockets later on those patchwork fabrics are near to hand so it's a good moment to make a strip patchwork casing using some of the same colours.

The outcome is meant to be a long strip of pieced casing to attach just below the top of the big bag and which should measure about 60" long.

Start by cutting strips of material 2.5" wide and about 15" long.  It depends how many colours you want to include but I have used 6 different colours, if you want to use fewer colours then repeat some until you have 6 strips.  But don't put the same colour on the outside edges.

Sew the strips together along the long edges and press the seams nice and flat.  Trim the top edge straight with your ruler.




Cut this joined piece across all the colours into new strips measuring 2.5" deep (and if you've used 6 colours it should be about 12.5" wide).

Now join these end to end making sure there are different colours where they join.

This should result in a long strip of pieced fabric in various colours which reflects the colours in the pockets section made earlier and ready to use as a casing near the top of the bag.








Incidentally, once the casing is attached to the bag it will need quite a lot of strong cord to be inserted through it in both directions.  Obviously both cords will need to be as long as the casing itself plus some extra to pull it closed at each side.  (More details about how to do this later).