'Template Plastic' Bag Base Tutorial

As promised, I'll be posting up a heap of tutorials this month, trying to cut down the bandwidth/downloads from my website. I can't promise one EVERY DAY, but I'll definitely try to keep them flowing throughout August.

This one is a SUPER EASY way to add a sturdy TEMPLATE PLASTIC base to any two-piece bag with a boxed corner. It'll work an any of my BEGINNERS patterns, as well as the Hobo, Sling, City Bag, Evening Bag, Dress Bag, Beach bag and any pattern that uses a similar base structure. Template plastic is cheap and cheerful, simple to use and creates a resilient, washable base for fabric bags (...and yes, we sell it!!)

HOW TO....

1. Measure the base seams of your bag. Measure the long seam running through the centre of the base, and the two short “boxed corner” seams. Subtract 6mm off each of these measurements.

2. Cut a piece of template plastic as long and as wide as the final measurement, above. Round off the corners of the rectangle to take away the sharp points.

3. Cut a piece of calico about 3cm (or two seam allowances) longer than the template plastic, and wide enough to wrap around the width of the plastic and have a seam allowance down the full length.
4. a)Fold the calico in half, lengthwise, and seam down the long raw edges.

b) Clip the corners of the seam allowances5. Press the seam open and slide the template plastic inside, with the seam running down the centre of the plastic. 6. With the bag inside-out, place the plastic in the calico flat across the base seam of the bag. Line up the seam allowances of the boxed corner seams with the ends of the calico tube. You may choose to pin them together.

7. Sew the ends of the calico tube to the seam allowances of the bag, and VOILA! BAG BASE!!

You'll see how Sharon has used this tutorial on my Make-Up Purse kit over here...