Linen Bag From Two Tea Towels

Disaster with Blogger ... I spent a good hour draft posting, with lots of lovely pics and it just disappeared ... no idea what has happened ... luckily I still have the pics on my camera but the info will now have to be re-written ... so here goes ...

Pretty Linen Bag

Little Bag From Two Tea Towels

I found two pretty tea-towels in a faded linen rosebud design. I felt that they would make a lovely bag. I decided to try something simple and make it up as I went along ... that's me ...

Firstly, I drew a design ...

Design

Secondly, I cut the main body of the bag and the lining ... one tea towel for each. If I had thought more carefully about it I would have chosen different fabrics for body and lining, merely because it is easier to photograph and it makes the instructions easier to follow. It also saves confusion!

Body Of Bag - Cut Four

The measurements I have given are for a small shoulder bag or large bag for a child or teen. I have left the seam at the bottom of the bag in place to add more strength and body to the finished bag. I also left the seam for the top of the pocket (because I am lazy!) The actual linen was rather stiff so I did not pad the bag.

Pocket - Cut Two Leaving Seam For Top Of Pocket

At this point I attached the pockets to two of the pieces - pockets for both inside and outside of the bag.

Back Of  Bag To Show Pocket Sewing Line

The pocket sits centrally and lines up with the bottom seam. It has a central dividing stitch as the pockets will actually go either side of the finished bag ... this will become clear in a moment.

Front Of Bag To Show Pocket Sewing Line

Lay two pieces facing each other (one with pocket and one without) and sew the side seams together (between stars on the design). Do not sew the bottom of the bag at this point. Do this both for the bag and the lining.

Now to turn all of the above on its head! The 'front' and 'back' are both actually the sides! Turn the bag as in the following picture.

Line Seams And Sew Bottom Of Bag

Line up the seams and sew the bottom of the bags - leaving 4" gap in one to be able to turn bags inside out. You should now have two identical pieces, each sewn into matching bags ... one for the outer and one for the lining. You will now see that the pockets go around the bag. It would be wise to place the inner and outer bags (right sides facing) with the pockets on either side ... this will reduce bulkiness and make the bag less lop-sided when it is finished.

Line Seams And Pin

Now to make a loop. Cut a piece of fabric about 7" by 3/4" (I used a seam for stiffness). Turn and sew into 1/4" wide strip. Pop this strip/loop between the bags in appropriate place and pin ends securely in place.

Sew Together Then Snip!

Sew all around the top of the bag and up the straps leaving the ends of the strap open. Double sew the area around the loop. Now snip all around the curve right up to the sewing line. Now turn the bag inside out through the opening and push the lining (with the opening) to the bottom of the bag.

Almost Complete Bag

Now for some finishing touches. Join top of handles together and decorate if desired. Sew opening in the lining together by hand stitching neatly. Now top stitch all around the bag close to the seams. Find a pretty button and place on bag. I also made a pretty flower to sit on the shoulder strap.

Pretty Flower

Finished Bag

Enjoy your pretty bag. Recycling at its best!