HobbyCraft - Lesson Plans - You Can Make Containers Instructions

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What You Need:

Fabric for main
bag and handles
(half a metre)

Fabric for decorative panel
(42cm long
x 16cm wide)

Matching
cotton thread

Needle and needlework pins

Scissors

Sewing
machine

Iron

Optional for
adding
decoration:

Sticky back
felt

Beads

Marabou
feathers

Fabric glue

Click here
for a printer
friendly page of
shoulder bag instructions.

Close-up picture of flower design on the bag

Making - The Bag

1. Choose the material you think is best for making your bag.

2. Cut out each of the following templates from paper:

• Main bag (38cm wide x 42cm high)
• Handles (7cm wide x 76cm long)
• Panel (14cm wide x 42cm high)
• Optional: Flower shape for decorating finished bag

3. Lay out main bag and handle templates on double thickness of largest fabric piece.

4. Pin template in place.

5. Cut out fabric.

6. You should now have: two main bag shapes + two handle shapes.

7. Remove pins.

8. Pin panel template to smaller piece of different coloured fabric.

9. Cut out panel.

10. Fold a 1cm hem down both long sides of the panel.

11. Pin panel in place down centre of one main bag shape. Use Diagram 1 below as a guide.

12. Sew panel in place, with machine or hand sewing. Stitch down both long sides keeping close to edges as shown.

13. Lay main bag shapes together with right sides (outsides) facing inwards (so that you do not see the panel).

14. Sew two pieces together, allowing 1cm seam. Leave top edge open. Use Diagram 2 below as a guide.

Making - The handles:

15. Lay one handle shape flat, right side up.

16. Fold over 1cm hem down both long edges and pin in place. Use Diagram 3 below as a guide.

17. Fold handle in half, seam to seam. Use Diagram 3 below as a guide.

18. Sew along both long edges, close to fabric edge - to form handle 2.5cm wide. Use Diagram 3 below as a guide.

19. Repeat for second handle.

Attaching the handles to the bag:

20. Keep main bag inside out.

21. At top edge, turn in 1cm hem all way round. Then turn over a 4cm hem. Pin in place. Use Diagram 4 below as a guide.

22. On one side of the bag, take one handle and tuck each handle end under the 4cm hem, 12cm in from bag sides. Pin in place. Use Diagram 4 below as a guide.

23. Repeat for other handle. Sew along bottom edge of 4cm hem, all round bag. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT STITCH 2 SIDES OF BAG TOGETHER!

Diagram 4

24. Flick handles up. Sew along top of bag to secure handles. Use Diagram 5 below as a guide. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT STITCH 2 SIDES OF BAG TOGETHER!

25. Turn bag inside out.

26. Press with warm iron, if required (ASK AN ADULT BEFORE DOING THIS.)

To decorate the bag:

27. Check on materials available for decoration (you may have to ask an adult.)

28. Sketch a few design ideas. (Think about available materials.)

29. Choose the one you like best.

30. If necessary, draw items carefully onto paper to use as templates.

31. Pin templates to material and cut out.

32. Fix pieces to bag using fabric glue or stitches (Make sure you only sew through one layer.)

33. Fix any other decorations to complete your design.

To copy the design shown here:

a. Place flower template onto sticky back felt and draw around it.

b. Cut out flower.

c. Repeat so that you have 2 flowers

d. Stick flowers to central panel

e. Decorate centre of each flower with beads (sew or glue in place)

f. Cut two 36cm lengths of marabou feathers and glue along edge of central panel. BEFORE GLUING: place piece of paper, or card, inside bag to stop glue seeping through.

g. Leave to dry.

The information contained within this project sheet is presented in good faith, but no warranty is given, nor results guaranteed. Product quantities and selections may vary at each HobbyCraft Superstore. Products are subject to availability and not all ranges are available in all stores. Before making a special journey please contact the store direct to check that they have your required product in stock. HobbyCraft Group Ltd disclaims all liability from any injury to anyone undertaking the construction of this project as a result of improper safety precautions. Since we have no control over physical conditions surrounding the application of the information herein contained, HobbyCraft Group Ltd disclaims any liability for untoward results.





"HobbyCraft" is a registered trademark of HobbyCraft Group Ltd