subject: How To Sew A Curved Bag Gusset Tutorial [print this page] The environmentally friendly thing to do is use reusable bags, but the ones supplied by the supermarket are plastic as well and you end doing some free advertising for the supermarket (grrr!). Another thing, how many times have you decided to make an impromptu visit to the shops only to find you don't have one of those reusable bags on you, oh and those reusable bags aren't exactly pretty are they?
Enter the pretty, reusable, strong, and roomy groceries bag with comfy bag handles, and with it's own bag cosy (or stuff sack). I have used cotton throughout, and the stuff sack has a strap and metal clip so you don't end up losing the sack (which is something that always happens to me). This bag should take just over an hour to make, and your Mum and your buddies will love one... I hope you like it, and I'd love to know what you think of this bag .
1. Make up your pattern - there is one pattern piece which is the main body. This pattern is shown halved. I have drawn a free hand curve between both of the points marked '9cm'. The lines either end of this curve are straight lines (the side edge & the bottom edge). Mark these 9cm marks on your pattern, they are important for later.
2. Cut the other fabric pieces - also cut:
* One piece each of 12cm x 112cm (4 6/8" x 44") stripy fabric, and lining fabric for the gusset.
* One piece of 20cm x 112cm (8" x 44") of stripy fabric for the bag handles.
* One piece of 22cm 30cm (8 5/8" x 12") of stripy fabric for the stuff sack.
* One piece of 16cm x 22cm (6 2/8" x 12") of stripy fabric for the stuff sack lid.
* One piece of 5cm x 30cm (2" x 12") of stripy fabric for the stuff sack fabric strap.
3. Make the comfy bag handles - Take the long strip of stripy bag handle fabric and fold it in half length ways with the right side facing out, and press.
4. Make bag cozy/stuff sack fabric straps - Make up the straps in the same was as for the bag handles as in Step 3. except there is no need for fusible fleece and do not divide the strap into two equal lengths. Instead, divide the strap into 20cm & 10cm (8" & 4") lengths.
Take the longer (20cm) of the two straps open out, fold the short raw edge down 1cm, and close up and top stitch the strap all around. Thread the stitched end of the strap though the eye of the bolt snap. Fold over the end and stitch to secure the clip.
Thread the D-ring through the short strap, fold in half and secure the D-ring to the centre of the strap by stitching.
5. Make the bag cozy/stuff sack - take the stripy stuff sack fabric piece piece (wrong side up) and fold in one of the short edges 1cm, then fold in again another 1cm, and top stitch. Repeat for the other short edge in half lengthways.
Take the stuff sack lid fabric piece(wrong side out) and fold in half bringing the long edges together. Stitch the long edges together to form a tube. Turn tube right side out and press.
6. Sew exterior bag - Remember those 9cm marks that we made on our pattern? These marks are going to help us sew a gusset that is nice, even and straight (and not twisted and rubbish!).
7. Sew lining - sew lining in the same as the exterior bag except you must leave a 15cm (6") gap in one bottom edge seams.
8. Pin and stitch the exterior bag to the lining - Insert the exterior bag (right side out) in the lining bag (wrong side out). The right sides of the exterior and the lining bag should now be touching each other. Pin the exterior bag to the lining bag at the top edge.
9. Pull the exterior bag though the hole in the lining - this is always my fave bit. Tease the exterior bag out through the gap and pop the lining into the exterior bag and smooth everything out. Stitch the gap in the lining shut by tucking the raw edges into the hole and top stitching for a neat finish.
10. Finish making the bag - top stitch all around the top edge. Stitch the bag handles to the bag - position each end of the bag handles by measuring in 12cm ( 5") from the bag side seams and stitch in place in a box-with-a-cross-inside formation for strength (It doesn't matter it you go over some of the lines to make this formation, the more the merrier (and stronger).
