Reversible Bag
This is a really easy and quick bag to make once you get the hang of it (I made five in an afternoon). It is made easier by using coloured cord for the handles. They make great presents for young girls too, my daughter and nieces love them, especially as you have two great looks in one.
You will need:
Sewing machine (can be hand sewn, but will be faster and stronger if sewn by machine)
Sewing equipment (Ruler, pencil, scissors, pins, needles, thread etc)
1 meter of coloured cord for handles
Sticky tape (cellotape)
What to do
You can make this bag any size you like but I have provided the measurements that I used as a guide. Although this bag is reversible I will call the outside fabric the main fabric and the inside, the lining fabric.
1. Cut two rectangles, one in main fabric and one in lining fabric, both measuring 8½ inches (21½ cm) x 18 inches (46cm).
(if the main fabric has a distinct one-way pattern, like the teddy bear fabric I am using, then you will need to cut the rectangle ½ an inch longer (18½inches/47cm), cut it in half and sew the two edges that will be at the bottom of the bag together again, this will stop the pattern on the back of the bag from being upside down)
2. Cut the lining fabric in half.
3. Wrap a small piece of sticky tape at the centre of your meter length of cord (this stops it from unravelling). Cut the cord in half through the centre of the sticky tape, this will give you two equal pieces for the handles. Secure them more permanently by sewing a few stitches along the width of the cord about a cm from each end. Remove the sticky tape.
4. Place the main fabric right side up, lay the cord handles on top at equal distances from each side (aprox. 6½) making sure that the loop of the cord is facing the centre of the fabric and the ends are sticking about a cm over the edge. Pin them in place, then sew the handle to the main fabric close to the edge (about 4mm) to secure. Remove pins.
5. With right sides together, lay one of the lining pieces on top of the main fabric, sandwiching the handle between them (make sure the edge of lining fabric that will be at the top of the bag is placed onto the edge with the handle). Line up the fabric edges and pin in place. Sew the two fabrics and handle together using the edge of your sewing machine foot as a guide (double stitch over the handles). Unpin and open out.
6. Taking the second handle and lining piece, sew onto the opposite end of the main fabric in exactly the same way. You will now have a strip consisting of a central section of main fabric, with a handle and lining fabric at each end.
7. Fold the strip with right sides together, matching up the two lining fabric ends and the seams, pin in place.
8. Sew the ends together using the edge of the sewing foot as a guide.
9. Sew together down the whole length of one side.
10. Sew down most of the second side, leaving a 2 or 3 inch gap for turning the fabric the right way out. (when snipping the thread from the machine, leave a length of thread that will be used to sew up the opening)
11. Turn the bag the right way out through the hole and sew the gap closed with a slip stitch.
12. Tuck the lining into the bag and it is ready to use. (To have the lining as the main fabric, simply put your hand into the bag, grab hold of both fabrics at the base and pull to the outside.)
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