Hold-My-Stuff Bag

What You Need

• Pattern for Hold-My-Stuff Bag
• Cotton fabric, ¹⁄₈ yard
• Chalk
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Ribbon for a handle

Let’s Review

Before you begin, you’ll need to know how to:

• whipstitch
• sew a running stitch

A NOTE FOR GROWN-UPS

This practical project is ideal for both beginner and advanced sewers. Whipstitching around the top edges is optional; some young sewers may have trouble with this step. Placing the handles at the seam can be tricky too.

Instructions

1. 1. Cut a 10" x 13" rectangle out of a piece of paper. (Tape pieces together if you need to.) Use chalk to trace it onto the fabric two times.
   
2. 2. Cut out the two fabric pieces.
   
3. 3. Put the fabric together with the good sides out.
   
4. 4. Sew the fabric together along the sides and bottom. Use a whipstitch. Leave the top of the bag open. Remove the pins.
   
5. 5. Now whipstitch around the top of the bag to keep the fabric from fraying. Do not sew the two fabric layers together, only sew around the edge of the fabric.
   
6. 6. Time to make the handle. Cut the ribbon to whatever length you want the handle to be.
   
7. 7. Sew each end of the ribbon to the inside of the bag near a side seam.
   
   

MAKE IT YOURS

• Use felt or fleece fabric.
• Change the handles — make them longer or shorter.
• Make the bag a different size.
• Add a pocket.
• Close the top with Velcro or a button.
• Sew with a sewing machine.