Valentine Gift Bag Tutorial

Well this is my first tutorial on my blog. I hope the pictures and instructions are easy enough to follow and if you do have any problems let me know.

What's needed:
I used 2 fat quarters measuring 22'' x 20'' (there was quite a bit left over).
4 main pieces (7''x9'')
4 sides (3 and 3/4''x9'')
2 bottoms (3 and 3/4''x7'')
2 handles (2''x14'')

Lightweight interfacing for each piece cut.

All your normal sewing equipment and sewing machine.

Steps to Follow:

All the pieces when cut - on the wrong side of each piece iron on interfacing.

1. Fold handles in half and press with an iron. Open out and fold one half to the middle crease and then other half. When both sides have been creased to the middle fold in half. to look like this...

2. Now the sewing machine part begins. Firstly sew the open ends of your handles together.

3. Place 1 bottom place onto main place (see picture below, right side to right side) and sew along the longest part.

Open up the 2 pieces to look like this...

Now place another main piece to the unsewn end of the bottom to look like this...

...now sew along the longest part like before and it should look like this when opened up...

4. Now place on of the sides along the main so it looks like below (sew up the long side to join the 2 pieces).

Now fold the shorter part of the side to the shorter part of the bottom and sew the 2 pieces together.

Now sew the remaining long side piece to the long side of the main. Repeat the steps to attach the other side piece. You should now have part of the bag that looks like this...

Repeat steps 3 & 4 so you have two pieces that look like this...

5. Turn one of the pieces so it is right side out...

6. Attach the handles to the piece turned right side out on both of the main sides. The handles should be approx. 1 and 1/2'' in from the sems.

7. Place the piece you have just sewn the handles onto inside the other piece (the patterned pieces should be facing each other.

With pins, carefully match up all the sems and the pin the pieces together to sew.

8. Remember when sewing round the top of the bag, you will need to leave a gap (approx. 1 and 1/2'') to turn the bag right side out.

9. Now turn the bag right side out through the gap left, it should look like this...

10. Sew closed the gap in which you turned the bag out. Once you have sewn the gap, push the inner bag into the outer as follows...

Once you have done this push the inner edges to match up with the outer, be careful not to push to hard.

You should now have a cute little Valentine bag to fill with goodies for 14th February.

Hope this is easy enough to follow :-)

Amy Cooke Designs xo