QUILTED BOX BAG

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

1. Print and cut out the pattern at the end of the directions. Use this pattern to cut out pieces in your outer layer fabric, lining, interfacing, and wadding. Stitch together your two outer layer pieces together to create one long piece. Do the same with the lining pieces.
2. Using scraps from your outer fabric or lining fabric, make two tabs and a handle. The tabs should be 1" wide by 3" long and the handle should be 2" wide by 6" long. Fold each piece in half lengthwise with right sides together. Use a 1/4 inch stitch down the long side and turn right side out. Press and top stitch along both long edges. Set aside.
3. Place one of the interfacing pieces on the wrong side of one of the outer fabric piece, making sure the glue side is on the wrong side of the fabric. Iron together adhering the interfacing to the wrong side of the outer layer. Place one of the wadding pieces face up and one outer layer pieces on top also face up. Baste stitch around the edges to hold the wadding and lining pieces together.
   Optional: Quilt the pieces together using any basic quilting stitch such as straight stitches or diagonal stitches.
4. Repeat step 3 for the second wadding piece, interfacing, and outer fabric
5. Lay out your lining fabric right side up. Place the zipper along the top raw edge of the lining fabric making sure the zipper pull is facing up. Place the outer fabric face down over the other layers and zipper making sure the layers are all lined up along the raw edge. Pin together and stitch in place. Make sure you are using a zipper foot on your sewing machine.
6. Open up and flip where wrong sides of the lining and outer fabric are together. Iron flat where the zipper is now at the top. Top stitch the lining and outer fabric together.
7. Fold the free edge of the main fabric and lining fabric up to match with the opposite side of the zipper that is not sewn. Stitch those layers together along the edge of the zipper making sure to use a zipper foot.
8. Open the bag to the zipper runs down the centre of the bag. Unzip the zipper about 2".
9. With one of your tab pieces, fold it in half matching the short sides. Match the raw edges of the tab to the raw edge of the bag along the zipper. Pin in place. Repeat with the opposite side of the bag. Stitch down and cut off excess fabric.
10. Turn the bag right side out. Pick which side you would like your handle on. Pin the raw edges of the handle from one side of the zipper and baste stitch in place.
11. Turn the bag inside out again and match the diagonals of one corner of the box together. Stitch along the straight edge and trim the excess fabric. Repeat with the other three corners.
12. Turn the bag right side out and you're good to go!
13. Optional: add hardware to the side tabs to be able to attach a strap for carrying your bag.