Cutting Instructions
Notions Flap Instructions
Needle Pockets
Outer Bag
Attaching notion flap to outer bag
Finishing
Materials Needed
Materials Needed:
(hoping this makes sense)
I used the same fabric for the outside of the bag and the inner flap that has the notions pockets. I used a double sided, pre-quilted fabric. You will need 1 yard for this. If you are not using a double sided, you will need 2 yards. If they are lightweight, you will probably want some batting or felt to layer in between.
You will need 2 additional yards of fabric for the needle pockets and the flaps that cover the notions pocket and self-binding. I used two different prints. If you would rather not make your own binding, then enough wide bias tape to bind the whole project (approx 3.5yds).
To recap the fabrics, you will need:
1 yd of a double sided, pre-quilted fabric
2 yds of coordinating fabric (can be 2 yards of the same fabric or 2 different fabrics)
OR
2 yds (same or different) and batting/felt to create the outer bag/notions flap. If using a heavy weight fabric, you should be able to skip the batting.
2 yds (same or different) of coordinating fabric
For the notion pockets, I used some frosted vinyl from Joann's. There are 6 pockets at 6"x6", so 1/4yd would be plenty.
Thread, enough ribbon to make a tie (24" or so), and buttons to attach the ribbon.
One thing to keep in mind--if you are using a double sided, quilted fabric, the stitches for the needle pockets will show on the outside of the bag. I used a fairly busy print, so they weren't noticeable, but if using a solid color or muted print, they may. If you totally want to avoid this (or want to do some embroidery or other embellishment on the outside), then use 2 separate pieces to create the outer. The needle pockets would only have to be sewn to the inner part.
Forgot to mention--I considered adding snaps to the flaps that cover the notions pockets just to make sure that everything stayed inside. I nixed the idea figuring that it might be a pain to have to unsnap them every time you wanted to get into the pockets. I told my mil to lmk if she thought that they were necessary and she said no, but if you think you want them, add them to your shopping list.
Cutting Instructions
Cutting
Outer Bag:
If using double-sided, pre-quilted fabric cut 1 piece 26 1/2" long by 17 high
Otherwise, cut 2 pieces 26 1/2" long by 17" high.
Needle pocket:
Cut one piece 26 ½" long by 24" high
Notions flap:
If using double sided, pre-quilted fabric cut 1 piece 25 ½" long by 16" high
Otherwise, cut 2 pieces 25 ½ " long by 16" high. (if you are using the same fabric for both sides of the flap, you can cut 1 piece 25 ½" by 32")
For the flaps that cover the notions pockets, cut 2 pieces 25 ½" long by 8" high
Vinyl pocketsI cut 6 pockets at 6" x 6". You can customize the size of the pockets to fit your needs. This size can hold circular needles too.
If you plan to use self binding and dont plan to miter the corners, you will need to cut 1 piece 28 by 3, 2 pieces 18 1/2 by 3, 1 piece 27 by 3, 2 pieces 17 ½ by 3 and 1 piece 29 by 4 for the top edge of the bag.
For self binding that is mitered on the corners, cut (or make) 1 piece 65 by 3, 1 piece 62 by 3, and 1 piece 29 by 4
Even if turning and top stitching, you will still need 1 piece of self binding at 29" by 4" for the top edge of the bag.
If you want some quick instructions on doing your own self binding, click here. If you are using lightweight fabrics for the outer bag, you should use some batting or felt in between. Go ahead and cut your batting material the same size as the outer bag fabric, then quilt the pieces together to form your own piece of fabric. Essentially, you are going to create your own piece of double sided, quilted fabric.
Notions Flap Instructions
If using a pre-quilted,double sided fabric, skip to here. If you are going to turn and top stitch, follow along below.
If you have cut 2 pieces of fabric for the flap, place them right sides together and sew (1/4" seam) or serge the sides and bottom--leaving the top open. The "top" measures 25 1/2"
If you have cut 1 piece of fabric, fold it in half right sides together and sew/serge the sides, leaving the top open.
Turn this right sides out, iron flat and top stitch along the sides and bottom.
You can now skip down to attaching the pockets.
If you are binding your bag, you should do so now. You will want to bind the sides and bottom only of the bag. Here is a link with instructions on how to do the binding on the corners either mitered or not.
Binding Instructions
Once you are done binding, follow along below.
Next you are going to begin placing your vinyl pockets. I start with the bottom row--place all three pockets and then use those as a guide for placing the top row of pockets. You have 2 rows, with 3 pockets in each row. If you are comfortable placing the pockets on your own, feel free to skip ahead.
Mark the center of the notion flap--you can either measure or fold it in half to find the center. Take one of your vinyl pockets and center that on the center mark of the notions flap. You want to place the pocket as low as possible on the flap, without placing it over the binding or top stitching. Use your ruler to make sure that the pocket is square on the bag. Once pocket is in place, pin--using a few pins as possible and placing them near the edges. The pins do leave marks in the vinyl, so you don't want to pin where the holes will show. Next, measure the distance from the edge of the pocket you just placed to the edge of the bag. Center your next pocket at the halfway point between the placed pocket and the edge of the bag. Again, make sure that the pocket is lined up and pin into place. Repeat this process for the other side. Now you can place your next row of pockets. You can use a ruler to line them up with the row you have already placed. I left 1 3/4 " between the rows. Make sure that they are lined up evenly and pin into place.
Next, stitch the pockets down. I do recommend using a scrap piece of vinyl and fabric first to make sure that you won't have to make any adjustments before sewing the actual piece. I used a zigzag stitch to sew these down. They do shift a bit, so be careful you don't end up crooked.
Next are the pocket flaps. Turn fabric right sides together and sew/serge down the sides leaving the top open. Turn right side out, iron and then top stitch along the sides and bottom.
Take one of the flaps and either baste or serge the top edge. Iron the top edge under 1/4".
Center the flap on the bag 3/4" above the lower row of pockets. Use your ruler to make sure that the flap is square on the bag. Pin into place and then stitch. I used a zigzag so that it was consistent with the stitching on the pockets.
Take the other flap and center it at the top of the bag. Pin into place and either sew or serge along the top edge. Set this aside until later.
Needle Pockets
Take the piece of fabric that you cut for the pockets and fold it in half, wrong sides together. Top stitch along the folded edge. Place this on top of your outer bag fabric. If you are using pre-quilted or a piece that you have quilted yourself, lay it over the whole piece of fabric, if you doing the turn and top stitch method, lay it over 1 piece of the fabric, setting the other piece aside for now.
Line up the sides and bottom and baste the pieces together at the sides.
Now you can start marking the needle pockets. Make sure that the edge of your bag is straight/square. Place a line 1" from the edge of both sides the bag. This will allow room for finishing later. Using the line that you made, start marking your pockets. I did two pockets at 2" wide (for larger needles), two more at 1 3/4", then continued across the bag, making the pockets 1 1/4". As I neared the end, I make 4 pockets at 3/4" for smaller needles. Obviously, you can customize the pockets to fit your needs. I found that the 2" pockets fit a size 15 needle easily. The 1 1/4" fit most of the median sizes and the 3/4" were great for size 4 and smaller.
Be careful measuring. I stop every couple lines and make sure that I am still even/square. It's easy to get off track and can mess up the whole thing if you aren't checking.
Once you have all your pockets marked, you can start stitching. Start at the center pocket and work toward the edge. Have fun tying off all those thread!
Outer Bag
If you are binding your bag, go ahead and place binding along the sides and bottom of the bag.
If you are turning and top stitching, follow along here.
Place the 2 pieces for the outer bag right sides together.
no, that's not a stain--it's damp from wiping off chalk lines
Once again, we are going to sew/serge along the sides and bottom of the bag. Make very sure your bag is square before doing so. I use a ruler and measure from the stitch line to the edge and trim anything that isn't straight. Also, check the bottom edge--you can square this up to the stitch lines also.
Once you have the bag squared up, sew/serge the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Turn, iron and top stitch.
Attaching notions flap to outer bag
Center the notions flap along the top of the bag and pin into place.
Sew/serge the notions flap to the outer bag.
Finishing
Place your self binding across the top of the bag. You will need to fold the edges under. Pin and stitch. If you find that the binding is too wide, just cut it down a it. The 4" was just right for the first one I made since it had to go around 2 layers of the quilted fabric. I found it was too wide this time and cut it down to 3".
My almost finished bag:
Last is putting a closure on the bag. I will post these instux tomorrow.