Simple Ideas for Library Bags

I have been overwhelmed and heart-warmed by the response to my little idea for a sewing bee. We now have a TEAM....and it's growing by the hour!!! We have international and interstate volunteers as well, donations of bag-fillers coming in, and I've been flat out all day answering emails and phone calls. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!! I can barely swallow for the lump in my throat.

A lot of people are asking what types of bags, what sizes etc....

The sizes can vary, the styles can vary, the fabrics can vary - it's all about giving something that is handmade with love and thought.... not a mass-production run. Your individuality of design and construction counts for a lot. We need bags for a range of ages and for girls and boys - so a good thing to do is think of the kids you know (your own or other people's) and think about what appeals to them. Think about the size they are and what they're likely to carry in a bag.

I prepared a little tutorial for a basic drawstring back-pack style bag, and made a start of a few others - which I'll have printed out on Saturday.

1. Cut 2 rectangles of fabric. I found these dimensions (on the pattern in the photo below) worked well for a toddler size bag. I made others at 31 x 35cm and they would be good a baby bag (and you don't have to make it as a back-pack - it could be a simple drawstring bag). You could also do a larger version. This is a simply a rough guide.

2.Notch a point at least 10cm (4") from the top on both side seams.

3. Think of a quick, effective embellishment idea.... a cute bit of applique', for example (this was just cut out of a fabric print as a square and zig-zagged on to the base fabric)

... or a strip of fabric can be made into a compartment pocket (pic below) or a patch pocket. You could sew on a few buttons, do a bit of stitching, printing, patchwork, a couple of yo-yos.... oh, it's endless.... and REALLY SIMPLE!!!

4. Overlock or zig-zag around the side and bottom edges of each rectangle.

5. Seam the two rectangles (right sides together) from notch to notch (side seams and base seam)with a seam allowance of 1cm. Leave the last 2.5cm (1") of from the bottom corners on the side seamopen. See pic below.

6. Press open the seam allowances all the way around. Stitch the seam alllowances above the notches open (as shown below).

7. Fold and press the top edge of the bag twice to make a casing of at least 2.5cm (1"). The one in the photo below is about 3.5cm.... it really doesn't matter how wide it is as long as it's at least an inch.

7. Stitch the casing to the bag about 2mm in from the folded edge of the turning. I also re-enforce the ends with little triangles of stitches.... but that might be just me being a bit hyper-cautious - as I'm apt to be...
8. Thread cotton cord or cotton tape (or straps made from fabric) through the casing from each side of the bag. On each side you will need enough strap to go through the casing and reach down to the bottom of the bag (as shown below) 9. Push the ends of the straps/cord through the gaps in the seam on the bottom corners and pin them into place.
10. Turn the bag through to the wrong side and re-align the pin to finish off the seam on the bottom corner - trapping the strap between the front and back of the bag. It's also a good idea to zig-zag or overlock the edges of the webbing or strap to stop it from fraying.

11. Turn it through to the right side and THAT'S IT!!! You've made a bag in under 30 minutes!!!