Fat Sack

Pretty AND practical.

MATERIALS: You'll need 1 yd. of fabric and matching thread. I used August Fields by Amy Butler. It's a decorator weight fabric in a scrumptious color. NOTE: 1-3/8 yds. of 58"-60" wide fabric will make two bags.

Cut one 19" x 36" for the bag and two 4" x 36" for the handles.

Cut one 12-1/2" x 19" for the bag bottom.

Fold and press one edge of each handle under 1/4".

Fold and press the other edge under 1-1/4".

Fold it in half and press.

Stitch close to the edges of the handles. This will be a lot faster if you don't lose one of the handles somewhere in your sewing room like I did!

Fold and press a crease to mark the center of 19" x 36" bag rectangle as shown.

Press a double 1" hem  on each end. Stitch close to both edges of the hem.

Pin the handle in place as shown. The ends of the handles will be 10-1/2" down from the top and the sides of the handles will be 5-1/2" over from the raw edge.

Stitch the handles in place, stitching on top of the previous stitching along the edges of the handles and across the handle even with the hem stitching line.

Press a crease to mark the center of the 12-1/2" x 19" bag bottom. Press under 1/4" along the long edges.

Pin the bottom section on top of the bag, matching center creases. It will cover the raw edges of the handle ends. Stitch close to the pressed edge and again 1/4" away.

Place pins as shown, 4" on each side of the center crease at the bottom of the bag.

Fold the bag in half, wrong sides together.

Fold the top layer down, creasing across between the pins.

Repeat with the other side of the bag. There will be a big pleat as shown.

Stitch the side seams using a 1/4" seam, catching all layers of the pleat. Zig-zag the raw edges to keep them from raveling. I like to use either a 3-step zig zag or a feather stitch because it flattens the seam and finishes the edge at the same time.

Here is how your bag will look. Doesn't Kirk make a great knuckle model?

When you turn the bag right side out, the corners will look like this.

Cut a piece of foam core or cardboard 8" x 10" for inside the bottom of the bag. See Nov. 5 post "After the Election".

Time to go shopping! This bag is a perfect size - even when it its full of cans, it's not too heavy! Because it is fat, it won't tip over in the car, even if your driving is like mine . . .

Comments

[april]

i visited a quilt shop today that had this bag hanging as a sample of what you could do with some gorgeous home dec (joel dewberry, maybe?) fabric. this particular fabric was far too gorgeous to cut into for my first try, but this bag went so easy that i'll make a hundred more! i think they'll make nice christmas gift bags. the wrapping will be a present in itself!

i think for the next one i'll use a contrasting fabric for the bag bottom.

[Lisa]

I love this bag!!! Thank you so much for sharing it. I can't seem to stop making them :)

[T Hartman]

Love this pattern. Have made 4 for myself and 2 for my mom (who needs more, darn, a trip to fabric store, LOL). I have been going to closeout portion of store and making with $1/yd home decor fabric to stand up to the long-term use. Amazing how much stuff can fit into one of these.

[Charlene]

That bag is great and what a good job for a tutorial. Understood everything right away. I'm off to make a few.

[Creative Triplet Mom]

What a great idea. Thanks for a great tutorial. Will have to drag out my sewing machine to attempt to make these.

[Sheila Galindo]

If you have only regular weight cotton fabric, you can fuse craft weight pellon onto your yard before you cut it. Makes a good, stiff bag with plenty of body. I used Pellon Craft weight that is 45" wide and have a lovely fashion bag. This is a great Tutorial. Thanks so much.

[Erika]

Just made a bag following your tutorial...love it :) Perfect for groceries as well as toting quilts to show off ;) look forward to more fun tutorials/patterns in the future. Thank you for taking the time to share your talent with us :)

[mary Ann]

I made your bag yesterday and I just love it. My head is swimming with ideas - can't wait to make more. Thanks for the tutorial.

[Tina]

Ohhh I know exactly what I am doing tomorrow your tut is awesome THANKYOU!!!!!!!

[Michele]

This bag was so easy to make. Your tutorial is the bomb! Thanks for sharing. One of the first quilts I ever made was your "Cheese and Crackers." I'm a big fan!

[kristina]

Hey Terry! That bag is SO cute! I have been wanting to make some "grocery totes" for awhile, but hadn't seen anything that was just right. Very cool, I want to make one tonite! It'd be a nice distraction from all the Christas prep that really needs to get done, thank you!

[Amy @ parkcitygirl]

Great bag! Right up my alley :)

[Darlene B]

I love this bag! I am going out on my lunch break to pick up some fabric. Maybe I can make a couple for last minute Christmas gifts...

[Kim]

Love this pattern!!! A project even a sewing-challenged person can handle :-) Although now that I have a Pfaff, sewing isn't nearly as difficult as it used to be. I've sent the link to my college-age daughter as well, who's always looking for economical but nice gifts to make. THANKS for sharing!

[Kim]

Love this pattern!!! A project even a sewing-challenged person can handle :-) Although now that I have a Pfaff, sewing isn't nearly as difficult as it used to be. I've sent the link to my college-age daughter as well, who's always looking for economical but nice gifts to make. THANKS for sharing!

[EvelynB]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I made two of them tonight and they are wonderful! I used the remnants of the fabric and added a pocket between the straps sewn in as I sewed on the straps. Can't wait to make more! Now I wonder where those campaign signs are now?

[Laurie]

I really like this bag - it's big! I need a new bag for all my Church stuff and this looks perfect. Thank you for the tut also!! Glad to find you through Pam's blog :)
Hugs from Laurie in Maine

[happy zombie]

She with the finger on the pulse the quilting world (Pam) led me to your blog. Love it. LOVE your patterns. Love your new fab (I actually made something from the little sample pack I got at Spring Market).

Even though my to-do list a mile long, I want to drop everything and make your Fat Sack bag! Thanks for the tutorial and welcome to blogland!

[Jackie]

I love this bag and I do use reusable bags for my shopping. I think I can definitely personalize my bags by making my own. I love it!! By the way, we love Raisin Bran Crunch too!!

[amy]

So happy that Pam pointed out your blog. I'm in love with your fat sack! Thanks for sharing it with us. I believe these might land under the Christmas tree for some LUCKY recipients this year. :-)

[pam]

Looks like this bag is a hit! I don't know how you figure this stuff out, you're like a folding genius!

[Busy Little Quilter]

Pam just told us on her blog that you have a blog! I am so excited!!! I love your books and patterns.

Thanks for the bag tutorial!

Now I'm going to go add you to my bloglist! I'll be visiting more often!!

Amanda

[Karen]

This is a great bag tutorial. This bag looks more sensible than any I've seen so far. Would make a nice gift (and wrapping) for Christmas!
Thanks!
Karen

[Roseann]

Wow ... step-by-step ... and with a fabulous knuckle model, too!