Skirt Bag Tutorial

Looking for the Post 2nd Quarter Linky Party? You can find it here.

Let me tell you a little story about how this tutorial came to be...but first you have to promise not to think less of me. Back in January Kat posted her list for the 1st Quarter of the FAL. Being the nosey person great blogger friend that I am, I was reading her post and about to encourage her to finish her items when it hit me that her skirt bags would make a great tutorial for one of my quarters. OK, I admit I was a bit short on Guest Posters at the time but that just means I am desperate resourceful. Actually, what this means is that Kat is so wonderful that she agreed to be here and write the tutorial for these bags. What is even more wonderful about this tutorial is that just 2 weeks ago they weren't done and still on her FAL list. I see Kat and I work the same way....at the last minute better under pressure.

Seriously, Kat does some amazing work. Check out all the amazing things she has for sale in her store....seriously gorgeous. Well, I will quit babbling now Kat! The floor is all yours!!!

-----------------------------

 Thanks Rhonda for those kind words *wipes tear* and thank you for asking me to be a guest blogger here. You are indeed correct, I do procastinate *ahem* work better under pressure (so much so that I finished this bag 2 nights ago!). I tend to get distracted by shiny things and fast cars :-)

Anyway onto the tutorial. Here is what we are going to make:

What you need:

• A skirt
• Fabric for lining – approx. 0.5 – 1 metre
• Fabric for inside pocket – 7” by 7”  x 2 (or larger as preferred)
• Fabric for handles or webbing
• Interfacing

Preparation:

• If the skirt has a zip closure, close zip fully and then stitch just under the zipper. Backstitch and repeat a few times just to keep the zip up.
• If there is a button closure on the inside, remove and stitch closed. However, if there is a button on the outside you may want to keep it for decoration which will be fine as long as it won’t get in the way of your top-stitching seam.

• Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

1. Take your lining fabric and fold (bear in mind if your fabric has a directional pattern). Lay your skirt on top of the fabric. Cut around the shape of the skirt adding approx. 3/8”. You should now have 2 pieces for your bag lining.


N.B.: Place the skirt on the lining fabric before doing any sewing. I simply forgot to take a picture before sewing. Ooooppss!!




2. Turn skirt inside out and lay it flat so seams are at the side.
3. Pin bottom of skirt together and sew.





4. Match the bottom seam to the side seam and pin.
5. For smaller bags measure in 1” from the end and mark with a line. For larger bags measure 2” in. This is to add depth to the bag so please adjust the amount you measure in if you feel the depth created is too big/small for the skirt.





6. Sew along this line using an over-locking stitch if available or sew over the same line 2 or 3 times for strength.
7. Trim corner once happy.

Making the Pocket

8. Take the 2 pieces for the pocket and place right sides together.
9. Sew all the way around leaving a small opening for turning. Trim corners. Pull pocket right side out through the opening and press.





10.  Top stitch along the top of the pocket. I like to do 2 lines to distinguish the top from the stitching at the sides.
11.  Place pocket on lining where you desire. I find the centre of the bag widthways and then place about a third of the way down.
12. Pin down and sew (backstitching at the tops of the pocket), ensuring to sew closed the turning gap on your way round. As you can see in the photo I have customised the pocket to be bigger and include a phone pocket simply by adding another line of stitching.

Constructing the Bag Lining

13. Interface both your lining pieces as required.
14. Place lining pieces right sides together and pin.





15. Stitch at side seam. Repeat on the other side seam.
16. Now stitch along the bottom seam.
17.  At this point we want to see that the lining piece will accurately fit inside the skirt and make adjustments to side seam if necessary. To do this, Fold over the top of the lining piece and place inside the skirt, wrong sides facing. Match up the side seams on the skirt and the lining and pin on each side. Pull taut and make sure that the lining matches the skirt all the way round without any chance of the lining bunching or overlapping. If there is an overlap, stitch further in on the side seams to make the lining fit perfectly within the skirt.





18.  Repeat steps 4-7 on the lining pieces.
19.  Fold down approx. 1/2” around the top of the lining so that wrong sides are facing and press.

Bag straps

If you are using webbing for the handles/ strap you can skip the following steps.

Again, depending on the size of your skirt you can either have a single strap running side to side or as 2 handles sitting together. They are constructed in the same way.

The amount of fabric you require will depend on how thick you wish the strap to be and how long you want it.  Here is a guide:

For a 1” strap cut 4” wide

For a 1.5” strap cut 6” wide

For a 2” strap cut 8” wide

20.  If using quilting cotton you may want to interface the fabric.
21.  Take the fabric for the strap, fold it in half lengthways and press.
22.  Open and take one edge and fold towards the centre mark and press. Repeat for other edge.





23.  Now fold again at centre line and all edges should be tucked in. Press again to ensure strap is straight.
24.  Topstitch along open edge first and then the other.

Constructing the Bag

This part of the pattern goes slightly against convention if you have used other patterns. The reason for this is because the top of a skirt is already a clean top-stitched seam and has a nice edge and also to reduce bulk when sewing.

25.  Pin your strap to the wrong side of the bag, i.e. inside the skirt, as shown below.





26. Place lining inside the bag outer matching the pressed line with the top of the skirt and pin.





27.  Top stitch around the entire bag and backstitch once over each end of the strap to add strength. Take care at this point as depending on the type of skirt you have used the top-stitching can be quite hard going.

Pretty isn't it?

Now this is the first tutorial I have ever put together so if I have missed something out or something isn't clear please contact me and I will see if I can help.

I would love to see if you attempt a lovely skirt bag of your own!


In case you were wondering, Rhonda says the Pre 3rd Quarter Link Party that will start right here on July 8th and run for 7 days. If you don't get your list in on during this time you won't qualify for the amazing 3rd quarter prizes!!! Be sure to get ready!!!