It's time to lay out the squares and triangles that will form each strip that twists around the outside body of the bag. I've been known to mix up the fabrics or change my mind on something at this point. Now's the time to rearrange things if you're not happy with how things look.
Referring to your fabrics choices for "A" - "B" - "C" and "T", lay your fabrics out in four strips that look like this one.
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Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew four the "C" squares together like you would a four patch quilt block, stopping your stitching 1/4" from the outside edge on all seams. These points are indicated in Fig. 1 on the pattern. Backstitch three or four stitches at those points to secure the end of the seam.
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Unlike the 1/4" seams when machine piecing, I want you to press the seams open on the "C" squares.
The four "C" squares should look like this on the wrong side after they are sewn together. Not too exciting yet is it?
At this point you can sew together the "A" and "B" squares using a 1/4" seam allowance. This time you can sew from edge to edge on the seams. Sew a "T" triangle to the top of the "A" squares. You can refer to Fig. 2 on the pattern to make sure you have the triangles going in the right direction. I've messed them up more than once.
It's time to add the strips to the four "C"squares we have ready. Fold back the seam allowance left open at the end of the "C" seam so you can see the raw edge of the square. Pin it in place to help keep it out of the way.
Pin the "B"square (which is the lower edge of the strip), right sides together, to the "C"square matching raw edges.
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Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance starting or stopping at the outer corners of the "C" squares depending on the direction you are sewing the seam.
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The outside of the bag should look like this on the right and wrong sides at this point.
Now don't get excited and press all those seams open or even all in one direction. Going clockwise, press the seams of the first strip in one direction and the seams of the next strip in the opposite direction. Continue to alternate pressing on the last two strips.
Take a little break and we'll sew the twisted seams in Part 4.
