A Square Bag

Earlier this week I had some time to try and recreate the original Trick or Treat bag.  It mostly came out the same.  The handles are a little different, but easy enough to change.  And I think I poked and molded the first one so it looked more square.  With a little poking and shaping on the second one, it would look more square as well.

This is a very photo heavy post.  Sorry!  Here’s what I think I did, roughly:

Finished measurements: 6″ x 6″ x 9″

Yardage requirements:

Base – 1/4 yard
Bag & Handles – 1/3 yard
Lining – 1/3 yard
Fusible fleece- 1/2 yard (I used Pellon Fusible Fleece 987F)

1. From the contrasting base fabric, cut (1) 7″ x 7″ square  and (2) 3″ x 13″ rectangles for the bag bottom.

2. From the bag fabric, cut (2) 7 1/2″ x 13″ rectangles for the sides of the bag and (2) 3″ x 14″ rectangles for the handles.

From the fusible fleece, cut (1) 7″ x 7″ square for the bag bottom, (2) 10″ x 13″ rectangles for the bag, and (2) 1″ x 14″ rectangles for the handles.

From the lining fabric, cut (1) 7″ x 7″ square and (2) 9 7/8″ x 13″ rectangles.

3. Using 1/4″ seams, sew the 7 1/2″ x 13″ bag top pieces to the 3″ x 13″ bag bottom pieces. Press the seams towards the bottom. The finished size should be 10″ x 13″.

4. Iron the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the 10″ x 13″ bag pieces and 7″ x 7″ bag bottom.

5. Topstitch 1/4″ along the bottom seam of the bag on the contrasting bottom fabric.

6. Place the two bag body pieces with right sides together, sew a 1/2″ seams on each of the two sides. Press the seams open. With a pin, mark the center of each of the pieces.

7. Iron the fusible web to the wrong side of the 7″ x 7″ square bag bottom. Place pins to mark the center of each of the sides.

8. With right sides together, pin the bag bottom to the bag body, matching each of the pins in the bottom to the two seams and 2 pins in the bag body.

9. Continue pinning around the bottom of the bag, clipping the bag bottom about 3/8″ in at the corners to help them lay more flat.

10. Sew each of the four sides of the bag bottom with a 1/2″ seam, starting at one corner and stopping at the next corner. Be sure to back stitch to secure the corners.

11. Trim the bottom corners to help them lay more flat.

12. Turn the bag right side out.  Flatten the bag at one corner and pin.  The distance between the side seam and the corner should be approximately 3″.

13. Topstitch 1/8″ inch along the edge of the bag to create the look of a crease.  Repeat these last 2 steps for each of the four bag corners.

14. Now it’s time for the handles.  Iron a 1″ x 14″ fusible fleece piece roughly in the center of each of the 3″ x 14″ handles. I think this is where the difference in the two bags begins.  I think the first bag was a little bit off center so that I was able to sew three lines of stitching on the handles.  And the second bag was pretty much centered, allowing me only two rows of stitching.  The three rows seem to give the handles just a smidge more body.  So, if you like stiffer handles, place the fusible fleece a little bit off center.

15. Fold over one side (or the shorter side) and press flat.  On the other side, fold over and press a scan 1/4″ to hide the raw edge of the fabric. Then finally fold over the whole piece to cover the fleece in the handles. Pin into place.  Sew an 1/8″ from the edge of that 1/4″ fold to secure in place.  Add 1 or 2 more lines of topstitching to the handle, depending on how much room you have.  My lines of topstitching are about 1/4″ apart.

16. Place the handles about 1/4″ away from the corners of the bag.  Be sure to check that the handles aren’t twisted.  Also, place the handles on the sides without the seams.  Let the seams fall on the sides of the bag.  Turn the bag inside out (to make it easier to sew) if you don’t have an open arm on your sewing machine. Baste into place.

17. Repeat steps 6 – 10 to assemble the lining.  With right sides together, pin the lining to the bag.  Sew a 1/2″ seam around the top of the bag, leaving about a 5″ opening on one side. Turn the bag right side out and press.

18. Slip stitch the opening closed.  Then topstitch 3/8″ from the top edge all around the bag.

It’s a square bag!

Viola!  It’s a square bag.  Now, let me see your square bags!

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