Reversible 'Throw It All In' Bag

Updated: Aug 17, 2021

Project by The Crafty Lass

These beautiful fabrics were sent to me by the truly wonderful Craft Cotton Co and they 'spoke' to me as a bag. I mean just look at those colours and patterns! They are so easy to sew with - a wide weave, soft finish, even metallic threads - just lovely! This pattern is a really simple make that creates a fully lines, large bag to chuck over your shoulder - your shopping, your latest projects, your stuff to hide away (just me?) Basically whatever you need, and it's fully reversible!

You Will Need

Fabric

Coordinating Thread

Tools:

Fabric scissors

Pins

Needle

Measuring tape

Iron and ironing board

Method

1. Select, measure and cut out your fabrics. You will need the below measurements:

Outer Bag - 2 x pieces 62cm x 49cm

Lining - 2 x pieces 62cm x 49cm

Straps – 2 x pieces 86cm x 16cm

2. Place your outer fabric right sides together. With the 62cm edge being the ‘top’ - using a 1cm seam allowance, sew from the top down one edge, pivot and sew along the bottom. Pivot, and sew up the other side.

3. We are now going to create a ‘box press seam’ - this creates a larger bottom to the bag rather it just being straight up and down. At the bottom of your bag fold out the seams in each corner so that your side seam and bottom seam are lined up together. Measure 6cm in and mark before sewing a straight line to form a ‘triangular shape’. Cut off any additional fabric and then turn your bag out the right way before pressing. This sounds more complicated than it is, but hopefully the pictures show what I mean!

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with your lining fabric.

5. Turn your outer bag fabric out the right way.

6. To make a strap, fold the fabric in half width ways so you have a long thin piece of fabric. Using a 1cm seam allowance, sew all the way along the edge before turning out the right way. It might be useful to use something like a knitting needle, pencil or equivalent to push it through – press if required. Repeat with the other bag strap.

7. Now it is time to construct the bag together! Place your inner bag inside your outer. Fold over the inner and outer edges and put your strap ends between the two at equidistant points, on either side – there is no right or wrong where you want them to be as long as they are centralised/the same on each side. Pin everything into position.