We know them, we love them, we covet them – our own Eileen D is going to lead us through the somewhat daunting process of making our own Sew Together Bags at our September sew-in: Here’s the info! The pictures above are a few examples of front panels Eileen has made up for this class.

Hey kids, September is right around the corner and if you are interested in taking my “class” at the September Sew In we should probably talk about school supplies!!

First, and foremost, you will need to purchase the pattern. It is the Sew Together Bag and it is available for purchase at sewdemented.com in PDF form for $12.  I have been told it is available in some quilt shops but I don’t remember which.  If you do purchase in PDF form make certain you print in “Actual Size” as there is one paper pattern piece included.

Before you consider fabric choices and how you may or may not want to piece or embellish your Exterior Panel, I strongly urge you to use Instagram and check out the hashtags for some super creative ideas   #sewtogetherbag #sewtogetherin2017 and #sewtogethersewalong  or simply use Google Image and search Sew Together Bag.  

Materials:

Exterior Fabric:  The pattern calls for one Fat Quarter of fabric.  Now if you want to simply have your exterior made from a single piece of fabric this is the way to go.  If you would like your Exterior Panel to be made from patchwork or some other form of piecing please keep in mind that the actual, unfinished size of the panel is  13 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches and this piecing needs to be completed before the class.

Lining Fabric:  1/2 yard x WOF  Self explanatory and this will yield all the same interior bag linings.  I would stick to this for your first go at it, but you certainly don’t have to.  If you want to go all out and use more than one interior lining fabric you will need to cut four pieces,

B1, B2, B3, and B4   8 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches.  The fabric you need for the side panels (the actual pattern piece included in the pattern) is  also included in the lining fabric 1/2 yard.

Pocket Lining Fabric:  1/3 yd xWOF   Again this will yield three pocket lining of the same fabric.  Here I like to use three different fabrics and simply cut (2) 4 x 9 3/4 inch pieces of three (3) different fabrics and use some colorful, coordinating zippers.

Binding: 1 Fat Quarter

Batting or Fusible Fleece: (1) 18 x 22 inch piece.  I personally, use a thin batting but either is perfect and work equally the same.

Interfacing: 1 yard of lightweight fusible.  I highly recommend Pellon ShapeFlex SF101.  Me personally, I would not bother using anything else.  (I am not being paid to say that!!)

Zippers: (1) 18 inch zipper.  This is for the outside of the bag and there is no deviating in size.  (3) 9 inch zippers: This size is perfectly fine: however, if you fear the zipper I urge you to buy longer such as 12 inch or any size that is longer than 9.  I do not fear the zipper and I always use longer because it allows me to easily install it without the fear and the bulk of the zipper pull and stop and we will cut it after we finish installing it. NYLON ZIPPERS ONLY – NO METAL ZIPPERS!!

You can definitely pick up zippers at Joanns or Walmart. I order mine in bulk from Zipit and I will be placing an order before we have class so if anyone wants one in particular let me know I will include it in my order and I do own a lot already and I share nicely.

I love hearing from all of you so if you have and questions or concerns call or text me.

Next up, things you need to do prior to class!!

You guys are going to love this bag!  Thanks for having the confidence in me to teach it to you..

Eileen