Book Bag

 


A quick little sewing project for a last minute child's birthday gift.  

I started by cutting two pieces of fabric measuring big enough to comfortably contain a large children's book.  I figured this would give enough leigh way to accommodate as few books as well as the larger or more unusual sizes. 

I could have used one continuous length if the design hadn't been directional.

I stitched the two pieces together along the sides and bottom edges, finishing the raw edges with my overlocker.

I also finished the top edges with my overlocker too.

Then I pressed the top edges down by about 2 inches and stitched the hem in place with a double needle because I like the neat finish it gives.

I made a pair of straps using strips of fabric 3 inches wide, long enough to make comfortable straps.  

I stitched the strips lengthways right sides together and then turned them the right way out using a loop turner.  This turned out to be hugely laborious, I have no idea why, the thick fabric just didn't want to turn!  I'd have given up and started again if this wasn't the only co-ordinating fabric I had in my stash.  It's definitely time for some fabric shopping but at the same time my stash is far too big . . . First World problem.

Anyways, I turned the short end of the strap in under itself and stitched it in place making a square of stitches then stitching diagonally across said square to secure the strap well.  I top stitched the edge of the strap and stitched the same pattern on the other end before top stitching along the other side.  

Aside from the problems turning the loops this was a quick and easy project.  I made a little batch of 3 of them because that's how much of this alphabet fabric I had to hand and I thought it was better to use it up while my kids are little and last minute gifts for little kids are sure to be needed again.