I altered the construction to hide all the seams: 1. Cut fabric & batting (14"x19" to start, then trim to 13"x18" once quilted), quilt outer fabric and batting together. Sew zip pull tabs however you like. 2. Use sewing machine to attach fabric to zip - put right side of outer fabric to right side of zip and sew, repeat for other side (forming a tube). Now attach lining, putting right side of lining to wrong side of zip (forming another tube - like a squishy 8 with the zip in the middle) - but leave a big gap in the middle of one side (very important!). ***Do not turn anything right side out until instructed! 3. Find the centre point of both outer and lining on both sides and mark it. Use sewing machine to attach pull tabs to outer fabric on the right side, with the raw edges together. This will help keep them straight and mean you need less pins later. 4. Flatten the points you marked to touch the zip - like if you take an 8 and put a brick on its head. Make sure the zip is sitting square on top of the pull tabs and the fabric isn't making any tucks. You should have the outer loop on one side and the inner loop on the other. Overlock across both open ends. Don't panic - the gap you left will allow you to turn it right side out when the time comes! Be very very careful sewing across the zip - you have 9 layers of fabric, 3 of batting and 1 zip at this point! Don't even touch the pedal - hand-wheel across that inch. 5. While its flat, mark at the corners on both outer and lining along the edge where the fabric is folded. Now squish the corner into a triangle with the outer on one side and the lining on the other - it will take some tugging and origami - your goal is for the 2 lined you marked to make the centre lines of the triangle, right on top of the overlocked seam (which will be hiding in the middle of your sandwich). Pin and smooth flat as best you can. Check with a quilter's ruler that you have good 45 degree angles. 6. Measure and draw in a line across the triangle about 2" down the centre line - make sure you remember the distance you used so all the corners are the same. 7. Overlock along the line. Repeat steps 5-7 on the other 3 corners - it will be fiddly and look weird. 8. Secure your thread chains and turn the bag inside out through the gap you left. 9. Fold the raw edge of the lining and hand stitch it to the zip with an invisible hem stitch. 10. Admire your bag.I altered the construction to hide all the seams: 1. Cut fabric & batting (14"x19" to start, then trim to 13"x18" once quilted), quilt outer fabric and batting together. Sew zip pull tabs however you like. 2. Use sewing machine to attach fabric to zip - put right side of outer fabric to right side of zip and sew, repeat for other side (forming a tube). Now attach lining, putting right ... Read full instructions »Difficulty:
Cotton fabrics, batting, zips, thread, overlocker and sewing machine
What was your inspiration?
Having made one bag, I was curious to compare overlocker construction to sewing machine, and also to see if I could conceal the seams more. After making one completely on the sewing machine, I concluded the best approach is to use the sewing machine and its zipper foot for the zips, and overlocker for the rest of the seams.
What are you most proud of?
I love the neat seamless finish inside.
What advice would you give someone starting this project?
At each step, before sewing, look at your fabric - check 1) are the inner and outer forming 2 sides of a sandwich? - if they are folded around eachother it is wrong; 2) are the folds neat, flat, square and symmetrical? - measure, mark and pin every step.
Fancy, fancy! Yes, I often hide the seams in my own bags as well, but I create them in such a way that they have a seam along the bottom. This way, I can close them up without using any kind of hand stitching (I'm lazy). These are very beautiful though!
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