Bag It - Boxy Bag Size Options

(This post was originally published as part of the 2015 Bag It event.)

The large (9'' long) featured in basic Boxy Bag tips and techniques post is a very useful size.  I've used the bags for my knitting, for my daughter's makeup and for storing small items in a suitcase.

But a smaller bag can be really useful too - let's use this wonderful tutorial at Pink Stitches   and make a small bag 5'' long.

You'll need the following:

• Two (2) pieces of fabric for the outside cut at 8 x 6''  
  
• Two (2) pieces of lining fabric cut at 8 x 6'' 
• Four (4) pieces of fusible fleece each at 8 x 6'' 
• Scrap piece of fabric for handle at 3 1/4 x 5 ''
• Scarp piece of fusible for handle at 1½ x 5''
• A zipper at least 8'' long which will be cut to fit as per the zipper overview.

For tips on marking quilting lines, see this post.

Make the bag as you would the larger bag but box the corners at 1''.

Isn't this a gorgeous color?  I call it cinnamon but in American Brand Solids calls it Dark Rust (72).
My fabric zipper tabs and the handle are a deep gold which goes quite well with the bag.

There is a rough magic math formula here so you can create a bag at whatever size you want.

The larger dimension of your fabric and the size of the boxy corners determines the length of the final bag size:  Length = Larger fabric dimension - 2 x (box corner size) - 1 for seam allowance.

• Example:  Large bag:   9'' = 13'' - 2 (1.5'') - 1''

The amount you box the corners determines the height of your bag:  Height = 2 x (box corner size) + 1/2 '' for seam allowance

• Example:  Large bag:  3.5'' = 2(1.5") + 0.5''

The smaller dimension of your fabric and the amount you box the corners determines the width of the bag:  Width = Smaller fabric dimension - bag height - 1/2'' for seam allowance

• Example:  Large bag: 4'' = 8'' - 3.5'' -0.5''

Experiment with other sizes and come back and comment.  I'd love to hear from you.  Did my rough formula hold?

I find these boxy bags to be quite addictive. I'll be making several of these bags myself this year for holiday gifts!

Are you enjoying this series as much as I am?  Isn't the tutorial at  Pink Stitches.  a great one?





This post was sponsored by Zipit, an Etsy store as part of Bag It 2015.

Fabric credits for smaller bags -

Houses - Outer Moda Sweetwater Road 15; Lining AMB Lime

Charm - Moda Fig Tree; Lining: Moda Fig Tree Tapestry

Solid - AMB Dark Rust (72), Gold (68)

Have a wonderful day! Patty










Have a wonderful day! Patty

Bag It: - Basics of Boxy Bags

(This post was originally published as part of the 2015 Bag It event.)

I've made so many of these bags over time in both the large and small sizes.  I use one to keep all my hand sewing supplies all in once place and the other holds my knitting supplies!

I first learned how to assemble these bags by following this wonderful tutorial at Pink Stitches.   For this post, I'll focus on tips and techniques that have helped me be successful but please refer to the Pink Stitches tutorial for all the steps to make the actually boxy bags.

You'll need the following:

• Two (2) pieces of fabric for the outside cut at 13 x 8 ''
• Two (2) pieces of lining fabric cut at 13 x 8 ''  
• Four (4) pieces of fusible fleece each at 13 x 8''
• Scrap piece of fabric for handle at 3 1/4 x 7 ''
• Scarp piece of fusible for handle at 1½ x 7''
• A zipper at least 14'' long.

For this bag, I used this great Paris fabric I had in my stash.

Tip #1 - Two pieces of the fusible fleece gives your bag great body and it will stand up well!

I quilted straight lines an inch apart.  I love the texture this gives to the bag.

Tip #2 - Stock your zipper stash with zippers slightly larger than you will need and then cut your zipper to size and put a double fabric zipper stop on both ends following the zipper tutorial.

Tip # 3 - You'll be stopping and starting 1/2'' from either edge when you install the zipper so make sure you mark it on the wrong side so you don't forget.  

Tip #4 - When assembling the sides, sew the exterior panel first at 3/8'' seam.   The lining is then sewn at 1/4'' seam.  

Tip #5 - Use a tool such as this Clover Hera Marker to keep fabric out of the way when sewing.  Keep those fingers out of there!

Tip #6 - Box the corners of the large bag at 1 1/2'' .  (Details on the smaller bag later this week.)

Tip #7 - For the handles, cut a fabric strip at 3 1/4 x 7 '' for the large . Cut a piece of fusible 1 1/2'' wide with a length matching (or longer) than your fabric.

Fold over one edge

And then the other

And then in half

 Then top stitch.

Tip #8 - Make bags for yourself too!  (This Charlie Brown bag is all for me!) (smiile)

I find these boxy bags to be quite addictive.  It feels like magic to me when you turn the bag inside out and get such a great boxy shape!

I'll be making several of these bags myself this year for holiday gifts!

We'll talk more on a post later this week on the dimensions and tips for making a smaller boxy bag.   These smaller ones are so cute and  I am confident that you'll want to make more than one!

Are you enjoying this series as much as I am?  Isn't the tutorial at  Pink Stitches.  a great one?





This post was sponsored by Zipit, an Etsy store as part of Bag It 2015.

Fabric credits -

Houses - Outer Moda Sweetwater Road 15; Lining AMB Lime

Charm - Moda Fig Tree; Lining: Moda Fig Tree Tapestry

Charlie Brown - Outer: Quilting Treasures Happiness Is, Lining: AMB Lime

Paris - Outer Unknown, Lining Michael Miller

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Quilting Tip - Marking Quilting Lines

I just love the texture quilting straight lines gives to bags, pouches and quilts.

 For quilts, I go 'organic' which simply means I don't worry whether my lines are straight.  The organic nature really gives it uniqueness.

But for bags, I do want those lines to be straight.   Instead of marking the fabric with a water soluble pen, I use a Clover Hera Marker,

I use that rounded edge to mark the lines.

Mark your first quilting line by measuring the distance you want from the edge of the fabric and then take it to your machine and sew.

Then, line up your ruler to your stitches and mark the other lines.

It works great and there are no lines to 'erase' once you are done.

The pointed edge of the Clover Hera Marker  is also useful for getting a nice edge on bags after you turn things inside out.  More on that another day!

Have you ever drawn your quilting lines this way?


Have a wonderful day! Patty