Patchwork Bag

[lunia.livejournal.com]

Here's a pretty easy patchwork bag (I deem anything I can make without a pattern or instructions easy):



   

The squares were cut to be 4" x 4". I sewed 5 strips that were 12 squares long, so 60 squares in total.

Then I sewed those 5 strips together, lengthwise. Not all the seams line up exactly, but it looks great anyway.

Next, folded it in half and sewed up the sides.

Then I added a solid color lining so when I turned it right side out, the lining would be in the inside attached at the top of the bag with holes on the sides. This was the trickiest part. I sewed it wrong the first time (with the lining on the outside and the wrong side of the seam at the top) so I just cut through the bottom of the lining, turned it the right way, then sewed the bottom of the lining back together.

Then I sewed a 1" pocket all around the top for the drawstring. Handstitched the edges of the holes.

Added some nylon binding for straps.

I use this bag all the time. It's great for bringing my lunch to work, clothes to the gym, and my school books even fit in it (but not all three at the same time). And I made it in one evening. It was fun because it turned out how I envisioned it.