Market Bag
Make this bag with precut 5" squares.
MATERIALS
• 35 precut 5" squares assorted green
and salmon tonals and florals* • 2/ 3 yard coordinating lining fabric* • 20" x 40" muslin backing rectangle • 20" x 40" batting rectangle • 2 (21/4" x 20") batting strips • Thread • Basic sewing tools and supplies
*Blushing Peonies fabric collection by Robin Pickens for Moda used to make sample.
COMPLETING THE BAG
1. Select and join eight A squares to make an 8A row; press. Repeat to make a total of three 8A rows. Join the rows to make an 8A row section; press.
2. Select and join three A squares to make a 3A row; press.
3. Sew the 3A row to the 8A section, referring to Figure 1 for positioning, to complete the A unit; press.
4. Referring to Figure 2, layer the muslin rectangle right side down, the same-size batting rectangle and the A unit right side up on top. Quilt as desired.
5. Trim the quilted unit even with the edges of the A unit, again referring to Figure 2.
6. Place the trimmed A unit right sides together with the lining fabric and cut a lining piece to match in size; set aside the lining.
7. Pin the 8A ends of the A unit right sides together, matching seams. Stitch to make a tube as shown in Figure 3; press seam open.
8. Pin the edge of the 3A row right sides together with the bottom edge of the tube, matching seams and leaving one A square on each side open as shown in Figure 4. Stitch to complete the bag bottom.
9. Sew the ends of the 3A row to the side A squares to make bottom corners and complete the outer shell as shown in Figure 5; press. Turn right side out.
10. Complete the lining shell in the same manner as the outer shell using the lining piece cut in step 6; press. Do not turn right side out.
11. Join four A squares for handle strip; press. Repeat to make a second handle strip.
12. Referring to Figure 6, fold over 1/4" of each long side of each handle strip and press. Lay a strip of batting on the pressed strip under the lower pressed edge. Bring the upper pressed edge over to meet the opposite edge, enclosing the batting, again referring to Figure 6; press. Pin to hold and then topstitch close to each long edge to complete one handle strip. Repeat with the second handle strip.
13. Pin and machine-baste the ends of one handle strip to the front and back top edges of the outer shell with raw edges aligned and going from the front top around the bottom of the shell and up to the back top with the strip as shown in Figure 7. Repeat with the second handle strip.
14. Insert the outer shell into the lining with right sides together; pin top edges together and stitch around the top edge, leaving a 4" opening to turn right side out as shown in Figure 8.
15. Turn right side out through the opening; press top edge flat. Fold opening edges to the inside; hand-stitch opening closed.
16. Topstitch 1/4" all around the top edge of the bag to finish. QW