Sentimental Stitches

Now that we have our fabrics selected and a placement decided on it's time to begin cutting. I'm only concentrating on the outside part of the bag right now and the handles.

From fabric "A" cut four 8" squares. I wanted to use the large flowers for this square. I cut an 8" square from tracing paper (I can see through it) so I could "fussy cut" each flower

From fabric "B" cut four 8" squares.

From fabric "C"cut four 8" squares.

From fabric"T" (or "T/H")cut two 8 1/2" squares. Cut these squares in half diagonally one way to yield 4 triangles.

From fabric "H" (or "T/H")cut two strips 7" x 22".

Congratulations! - you now have the pieces for the outside of your bag ready to sew.

I hope you'll enjoy making the basic squares version of the So Sew Easy Bag with me. If you haven't printed a copy of the fabric requirements and instructions you can get them HERE.

You need to choose at least 4 fabrics for the outside of your bag. One of them will be the top triangle row and the handles. I have no problem picking out at least 7 or 8 fabrics but narrowing them down to the final 4 is what causes me the most trouble. I try to think about what I'm going to use my bag for and that often helps. In this case, I'm going to schlep things back and forth to the cottage this summer so I've chosen fabrics with a dark background.

We need to decide on placement so before you cut your squares and triangles choose your favorite fabric. That's the one I'd label as "A". I like to use a darker fabric for "C" because it will be the bottom of the bag. Select a fabric for position "B" and one as fabric "T/H" (triangles/handles). Note: The handles don't have to match your triangles. They can be made from any of your choices.

Schlep Bag - Twist Bag - Easy Squares Tote - Such a Simple Bag - whatever you want to call it, this is my go to pattern anytime I need to make a quick and stylish bag.

The basic squares bag is perfect as a tote bag. Smaller squares will make a great purse, a bag to carry toys, a trick-or-treat bag, school bag, lunch bag or you can use it inside your larger tote to carry a snack or keep a smaller project organized inside. The possibilties are just endless!

They say a pictures is worth a thousand words so on Wednesday at 10:30 am EST I'll post step by step instructions (along with pictures) showing how to make the basic squares bag.
You can print the fabric requirements and pattern HERE on the So Sew Easy Schlep Bag page. Special note: if you printed your pattern before Dec. 11, 2008 it may contain an illustration with one of the triangles pointing in the wrong direction.

I have my fabrics ready to go.

Gather yours together and stop back Wednesday morning.