Sewing: Week Three - Magazine Bag — 3ten

Sewing week three – magazine bag. Time for a quick little project. I love to travel and road trips are the best. Having a good stack of magazines is key and this little bag holds about 6 – the main reason for this bag? To get those magazines out of my purse which is heavy enough already! Okay, let’s sew up.

What You Need

1 piece of fabric 28 inches long, 14 inches wide
1 piece of wide webbing (1.5 wide) and 32 inches long
matching thread
pins
serger
machine
scissors
iron
ironing board
fray check

Okay – first up, get out that fabric that measures 28 by 14. Press it well. Fold right sides together (so the bottom of the bag is a simple fold) and then serge the sides together with a 1/2 inch seam. Once the sides are serged, serge along the top, just so your fabric doesn’t fray.

Time for the top hem. Fold the seam back 1/4 of an inch and then fold it under 1 inch. This way, you won’t see the serged top and the bag will look professional. Top stitch all around the hem, being sure you’re catching the folded under edge.

Now, this part isn’t shown, but it’s important. Turn the bag inside out and at the bottom corners, tie the serger tails in a knot. Then dab them with fray check and press. Dab the start and stop of the top stitch with fray check and press.

Once that’s done, time to work on the handles. Get out your wide webbing. You need two pieces that measure 16 inches long. Serge each end so it doesn’t unravel on you.

Place the handle inward by 2 1/4 inches (measure from the outside edge of the bag to the closest edge of the handle) and put the handle 1 1/2 inches down. Pin in place.

Top stitch, using a heavy weighted needle, in a square and then cross it for added strength. Fray check all of your start and stop points and then press.

Done

Load up with your favourite magazines and you’ll be all set.

Secrets of New York? Yes, it’s a grown-up colouring book.

See – I can stay within the lines, haha! I read an article a while back that discussed how colouring releases the same calmness as meditation. Try it, it’s awesome.