Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Market bags with pockets

There are some really cute patterns out there for market bags. I wanted to make mine mimic the size and shape of a grocery bag, plus handles. At first I followed this tutorial.

I did have a few problems following the pattern as I am still fairly new to the world of sewing, but after completing my first one, I was hungry for more. I found that 2 yards of heavy duty fabric, I bought mine in the home furnishing section at Joann's Fabric, would yield 4 bags as long as I didn't make the straps from the same fabric. Denim, duck, and outdoor canvas also work well.

Here's what you need for 4 basic bags (no lining):
2 yards of fabric
4 yards of webbing (I purchased mine at an Army surplus store for 24 cents a foot)
coordinating thread

For each bag cut:



2 lengths of webbing 18 inches each.
One piece- 37x14 (for the front, back and bottom)
Two pieces- 15x7.5 (sides)

I had leftover fabric, perfect for pockets.

I had 2 pieces that were 15x7.5, that'll make 2 pockets. If you want pockets on all 4 bags, purchase 2 1/4 yards of fabric, or buy 1/4 yard of a coordinating pattern.




Fold the pocket material in half, right sides (pretty side) out.




I ran a 1/4 inch stitch on the folded side, just looks better to me.

Next line up the raw edges of the pocket, with the bottom edge of one of the sides, right sides together.

Sew a 1/4 inch seam down the sides and across the bottom. Go ahead and do this for the other side.

Attach the sides to the main long portion.

Right sides together, make sure your pocket is on the bottom, pin in place.


You'll need to turn the material around the corner. This is a photo of the pinning right before I turned it.


After the turn, there will be a little gap of fabric here, that's ok. We'll gather that in when we sew this down.

Pin all the way around. I pinned the other side too.


Using a 5/8 seam, sew down one side right up to about 1/2" from the corner.




Lift you needle up and turn to sew across the bottom.

Turn again at the next corner.


Go ahead and do the same on the other side.

Turn your bag right side out to check your work.



Whew...
Now turn the bag back so the ride side is back in and finish your seams with either a zig zag stitch or as I did, with a pinking shears.



Hem the top of the bag, I do this by turning the edge in about 1/4 inch, sew that down.



Turn again, this time 1/2 inch. Sew that down.

Add the straps.


I measured in 3 1/2 inches from each side and sewed the X pattern.

Turn it out and admire your work.




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