Teacher Bags

Did you notice what today is?  Before you know it Christmas will be here and there is nothing I hate more than feeling unprepared.

Due to the logistics of my family life, I need to have all the extended family gifts ready before Thanksgiving so that they can be carried across the country by other family members without me having to pay shipping.  Smart, but also makes me feel very out of time when Halloween hits.  This being said, I'm moving onto projects for "others"... This means people out of my inner circle (husband and kids).

These recent projects are for my kids teachers.  They are basic bags with an ABC/school print.  Cute and very appropriate for preschool and kindergarten teachers for Christmas.

 Teacher Handbags

Inside of teacher handbags

Outside:

·         Sew your fabric in whatever pattern you desire.  I did  wide strips for this bag because I wanted to show the fabric pattern.

·          Pin batting onto the back of the outer bag fabric and machine quilt. Use your choice of quilting methods. A simple method is to quilt in straight lines about ¾ inch apart all the way across the
fabric in either direction. Trim batting to the size of the outside piece.

·         Cut (or trim) lining fabric to fit quilted piece. Fold the quilted top in half, right sides together, and sew side seams.

Lining:

·         Fold the lining fabric in half the long way, right sides together. Sew side seams, leaving about a 4-inch opening in the side of one seam so you can turn the bag. Form corners the same as for the outside.

Handle: 

·         Iron the handle strip in half lengthwise, right side out. Open up and press the outer edges toward the center. Fold closed and press.  Place a strip of batting inside.  Stitch down the entire length of the handle 3 or 4 times.

Bag Assembly:

·         Leaving the outside quilted bag inside out, turn the lining right side out and set the lining down into the quilted bag, matching the top edge. The right sides of the fabric should be facing each other.

·         Pin the handles onto the outside piece about 2 inches from the side seam, making sure they go between the outside and the lining. Be sure they aren't twisted. Pin the bag closure the same way, at the center of one side.

·         Pin the lining to the quilted bag and stitch around the top about 1/2 inch down from the top. Turn the bag through the 4-inch opening in the side seam of the lining. Tuck the lining down inside the bag and remove all the pins from the handles, etc. Topstitch about 1⁄4 inch from the top.