The Spring Bag Pattern

Instructions

1. Start by cutting the two fabric pieces for the exterior of the bag (times two, one for each side). Join the two pieces, right sides together, and sew. Do the same for the two sides.

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2. Use these pieces to cut the lining and the batting (two of each). For the lining I used only one fabric, not two, so the lining does not have a seam in the middle. Also, when you cut the batting, you should shorten the top by about two centimeters.

3. Sew down the sides and the bottom of the bag. Before turning it inside out, sew a triangle on each of the bottom corners, and cut off excess fabric (the triangle can be smaller or larger depending on how large you want the bottom of your bag to be. Mine measured about 4 centimeters from the edge).

4. Place the lining pieces right sides together, and sew the sides and the bottom too. Do the same to the bottom corners (one triangle off each side) and turn inside out.

5. Now, place the lining inside the exterior piece (wrong sides together). Fold the exterior fabric over the lining (this is why I told you to cut the lining pieces two centimeters shorter on top). Fold excess lining fabric inside too and pin all around the bag.

6. The handles are made with two strips of fabric (about 40 x 8 centimeters each), folded bias-tape style and top stitched. I'm terrible at making handles, so this is the method I'm most comfortable with, but if you want to do things right, you should sew them right sides together, turn inside out, press and then top stitch on both sides.