A Little Boy Bag

So I, unfortunately, did not document this bag with pictures.  I made it on a whim but it can be easily made with some canvas scraps/fabric scraps and a general idea of how a bag is put together.

There are 5 Pieces to this bag.  I used leftover from the Two Hour Teepee which is just a canvas drop cloth from Home Depot.  My sizes in the illustration are approximate so feel free to make it as large or small as you would like. 

If you change the size, here are some basics:

The strap (A) will need to be 2 inches longer on each end than you actually want it to hang off your little one. The bottom and sides (D) must be 1 inch longer than the two sides and bottom of the front of the bag (B)

The bag flap and bag back (C) should be one piece for convenience. You can make the flap as long or chort as you'd like.

The pocket (E) is an add on. You don't need it for a functional bag.

Instructions: These are pretty basic.  I used plain white multipurpose thread and a straight stitch.

Step 1: Fold strap A in half lengthwise and sew along the length with a 1/2 inch hem.  Turn inside out (seam inside) and lay flat with the seam now going down the center.  Iron flat.

Step 2: This seems tricky, but once you do it once - easy!  Take the bottom and sides strip D and pin it around B starting at the top left corner and working down around to the top right corner.  Sew a 1/4-1/2 inch hemp all the way around the three sides you pinned.

Step 3: Fold all 4 sides of your pocket E inward to make clean edges and sew the top edge.  Then pin your pocket to the OUTSIDE of B (the side that will show from the front of the bag) with the OUTSIDE of the pocket showing, sew around three sides (left, bottom, right).

Step 4: Now pin the bottom half of C to D (the same as you did in step 2, make sure the inside (hem exposed) edges are on the outside and your insides are facing each other.  Sew around your hem.

Turn your bag right side out, it should now resemble a bag.  If you are using fabric that does not fray, you do not have to do this step and you can skip to step 6.  If not, keep reading..

Step 5: Pin ALL your edges (around the opening of the bag as well as the 3 sides of the flap) about 1/4-1/2 inch inward.  Sew in one continuous loop all the way around that hem to make it look clean and avoid a fray.  The corners can be tedious but you should be a pro after the corners of step 2.

Step 6: Sew one end of your strap to the top left inside of the bag and the other end to the top right inside. DONE!

I will make another and give a picture tutorial (I am a visual learner so I understand when written directions suck)

Now - you can decorate it! What I love about the canvas is now Bear can paint it any colors he wants or glue stuff to it.  I plan to stamp this one with heat-set ink (tutorial to come).

Love,

PlusPeace