Big Bag Phases

Having completed the Big Craft Bag I realise there are quite a number of separate phases to its creation. 

Quite a demanding project and not to be taken lightly but worth it when finished.

After the patchwork pocket section and the casing are made up (see earlier blogs below) the next phase is to cut out the fabrics for the base (substantial material and interfacing), then the fabric for the top and the wadding. 

Quilting can be done in whatever way appeals. 

Mine has some straight stitch quilting done with a walking foot on the substantial fabric base.  You will see the guide is attached to the foot to make sewing straight lines easier.  All this can be done with just a general sewing foot however.


 Next I free machine quilted the top of one side  I used the free motion foot on my machine - sometimes referred to as a darning foot (not shown here).

On the other side I tried Big Stitch Quilting and found it was fun.  After drawing simple shapes on the fabric you quilt around the shape outlines with a running stitch by hand using a perle embroidery thread, or yarn, or stranded embroidery cotton.

Then the patchwork and quilted pieces are trimmed and joined at the sides.  As the patchwork section is added it is divided into pockets, three on each side.

Next a gusset is created to give the bag depth and a lining is cut out to match the outer measurements.

I decided that a strong card base was necessary to give the bag shape and substance when standing on the ground.  This is cut to size with a craft knife (and I have plenty of strong card available for those who want it).  The card is slipped into the bag before completing the lining.

The next phase is to make handles and sew them on, the lining is put in and a casing is sewn around the upper section for a pull cord to be inserted.

The bag itself is large and as it is assembled gets unwieldy so some clever manipulation of the machine and sewing from the easiest direction is called for.  All good practice (I told myself when doing it). 

Not really helped by Puzzle wanting to be involved.

An easy mini project will be offered as an alternative to those who may have been put off by the above!