FABRIC SUITCASE

Instructions:

Step 1 - Make a stencil. Using pattern paper, cut out a rectangle 30cm x 40cm. Fold paper in half width wise, then fold in half again lengthwise. Round off the pointy corners with paper scissors, so that when you open the paper out, your rectangle will have evenly rounded corners.

Step 2 - Using the stencil, cut 2 pieces from main fabric, 2 pieces from contrast fabric B and 2 pieces of wadding. Place 1 piece of main fabric face down on table. Smooth 1 piece of wadding on top, then place 1 piece of contrast fabric B face upwards on top. Pin through the 3 layers and baste around edge. Repeat process with the remaining pieces. These 2 sewn pieces are for the front and the back of the case. Put aside while you make the piping.

Step 3 - Cut 4cm wide strips along the bias of main fabric (45-degree angle). You will need to join bias strips to make 2 lengths of 1.5m each. Take 1 of the finished bias strips, and place 1.5m length of piping cord down the centre. Fold the fabric over the cord to meet the other edge and pin along the length to hold in place. Using a zipper foot, stitch close to the piping cord through the fabric. Repeat for the second strip.

Step 4 - Pin 1 piping strip around the edge of the front of the case, starting at the centre of the bottom edge. Stitch close to the piping edge again, finishing with a neat join. Repeat the process to apply the 2^nd piping strip to the back of the case. Clip curves. Put to one side while you make the zipper section.

Step 5 - Using main fabric, cut 2 pieces across the width of the fabric 10cm wide; and cut 2 pieces across the width of the fabric 5cm wide. Sew the 2 x 10cm wide pieces together end to end and sew the 2 x 5cm wide pieces together end to end. Repeat using contrast fabric A. Cut 2 strips of wadding - 10cm x 150cm and 5cm x 150cm.

Step 6 - Place the 2 strips of wadding side by side on the table, with the 10cm wide strip closest to you. Place the corresponding main fabric strips right side up on top of the wadding. Find the centre of each length and mark with a pin. This is the centre opening of the zips. Open zips and pin face down, starting at the centre and pinning along adjacent edges. One zip to the left and one zip to the right.

Step 7 - Stitch zips in place. Leaving the remainder of the fabric attached at this stage. Place contrast fabric A strips face down on top of zips and stitch in place. Fold fabric back over on both sides to reveal zip and press fabric away from zips. Baste outside edges of zipper section and across the end of the zips.

Step 8 - To make handle, cut 2 pieces 30cm x 5cm from contrast fabric A and 1 piece of wadding the same size. Place wadding on table. Put 1 piece of contrast fabric A right side up on wadding, and the other piece of contrast fabric A face down on top of the other piece. Sew around the edges, leaving a 10cm gap along the middle of one long side.

Step 9 - Next, Clip corners and turn right side out through the gap. Top stitch around the whole edge, and top stitch 2 lines down the centre of the handle. Centre the handle at the top of the case where the zipper heads meet. Pin the ends of the handle 1.5cm closer to the middle than they would be if lying flat. This allows the handle to bend upwards. Sew ends with a box cross.

Step 10 - Back flaps to hide zipper ends - Cut 2 pieces of main fabric 20cm x15cm. Place right sides together and stitch along short sides. Turn right side out and press flat. Make a second piece using contrast fabric A.

Step 11 - Baste one edge of each flap to the centre bottom edge of case back - one on the inside and one on the outside.

Step 12 - Pin lower edge of zipper section to the back of the case, right sides together. Stitch using a zipper foot. On the outside of the case, pin the outside flap to the upper edge of the zipper section and baste. Open zip about 15cm and pin upper edge of zipper section to the front of the case, right sides together. Stitch in place. Smooth back flap into position and attach top edge. Trim any excess fabric from edges and apply bias binding to all raw edging using a zipper foot.

Step 13 - Turn right side out through the zipper opening.