CHRISTIE WILLIAMS TOTE BAG

INSTRUCTIONS

Cutting

All strips are cut across the width of fabric unless otherwise stated.

Note - when cutting 6" strips position your ruler so larger animal prints will be visible when triangles are cut.

• From each of Fabrics A, B, C, D & E cut 1 x 6" strip - crosscut each strip into 5 x 6" squares adjusting ruler placement to accommodate designs. Cut each square once on the diagonal to make half-square triangles, but place your ruler across each square in each direction to decide on which diagonal to cut.
• From each of Fabrics F, G, H, I & J cut 1 x 6" strip - crosscut each strip into 3 x 6" squares, cut each square once on the diagonal to make 6 half-square triangles in each colour.
• From Fabric E cut 5 x 3" strip for binding.
• From Fabric F cut 2 x 4" strips for bag gusset lining and 2 rectangles 17" x 24" for bag lining.
• From Fabric G cut 2 x 4" strips for bag gusset.

Bag Panels

Note - each side panel is made using 24 half-square triangle units - each half-square triangle unit consists of one Christie Williams fabric and one Prima fabric.

Step 1 -Select 24 Fabric A, B, C, D & E half -square triangles and lay them out. Select 24 Fabric F, G, H, I & J half -square triangles and place each with a printed half -square triangle.

Step 2 - Sew together to make 24 half-square triangle blocks. Press seams open.

Step 3 - For each side of the bag layout the blocks into 3 rows with 4 blocks in each row. Placement is random so just make it pleasing to the eye.

Note - working on one side at a time complete Steps 4 & 5.

Step 4 -To sew together the blocks in each row, sew together in pairs, then two pairs. Press seams in one direction alternating direction in each row.

Step 5 - Sew rows together matching seams, pressing seams in one direction. Press well.

Foam Stabilizer

Cutting - Cut 1 x 4" wide strip the length (1.5m) of the foam and 2 rectangles 17" x 24".

Step 6 - Carefully fuse one rectangle of foam to each side of the bag.

Step 7 - Press Fabric F lining rectangle and place on the other side of the foam. Make sure top and lining are flat and hold together around the edges using clips.

Step 8 - Attach walking foot to your machine and quilt as desired or quilt ¼" from all seams.

Step 9 - Sew together end to end the 2 x 4" Fabric F strips for bag gusset lining and press seam open.

Step 10 - Sew together end to end the 2 x 4" Fabric G strips for bag gusset and press seam open.

Step 11 - Place Fabric F lining strip right side down and position 4" foam strip on top making sure the lining seam in the centre, then place Fabric G gusset strip right side up in top. Use clips to hold the 3 layers together down the sides. Quilt in lines lengthways down the gusset.

Bag

Note - bag side panels are joined to gusset with lining sides together - seams will be on the outside.

Due to thickness of the seams it is advisable to use the walking foot on your machine.

Step 12 - Take one side panel and match seam in gusset to centre bottom edge and pin. Work your way from bottom centre to corner then up one side clipping or pinning as you go. Go back the bottom and work your to other bottom corner then up to the top edge.

Step 13 - With the bag panel face down and gusset face up and starting at one top edge carefully sew gusset to bag pivoting at the corners.

Step 14 - Repeat Steps 12 & 13 to attach the other side panel. Trim top edges of gusset even with top of bag panels.

Binding

Note - bind sides of bag first then bind top edge.

Step 15 - Join the 5 x 3" Fabric E binding strips on the bias to make one long strip. Press in half lengthwise. F

Step 16 - Starting at the top edge on one side sew the raw edges of binding strip to the gusset edge. Trim off excess binding. Fold binding to the outside of bag and stitch close to the fold. Repeat to attach binding to the other side.

Step 17 - To bind top edge start in the centre of the gusset and sew raw edge along sides and ends overlapping ends when back to the start. Fold binding to the outside of bag and stitch close to the fold.

Bag Straps

Step 18 - Cut the heading tape into 2 x 75cm lengths. Fold ends over and sew to inside top edge of bag in line with seams of Blocks 1 & 2 and Blocks 3 & 4 on each side of the bag.