Revamp A Dull Bag

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  Step 1

  This is the bag I am going to use. It has a front flap with a zipped pocket.

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  Step 2

  First, remove the zip slider. Do this by snipping into the zip and sliding it off.
  Keep the zip in the closed position as shown.

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  Step 3

  This bag had a fabric label sewn into the seam. Snip this off close to the seam and discard.
  (I don't like being a free advertising board for any company!)

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  Step 4

  Open the flap of the bag and lay it flat on table.

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  Step 5

  Lay a sheet of tracing paper (I'm using baking paper here) on top of flap and pin in position

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  Step 6

  Carefully draw round the shape of the flap to make your pattern piece.
  Make this the exact size and shape of the flap.

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  Step 7

  Carefully cut out the pattern piece along the line you have drawn.

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  Step 8

  Place the pattern piece on the material and pin in position.

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  Step 9

  Cut round adding half an inch all round for seam allowance.
  You may notice I have put a little mark on the pattern piece to indicate the centre of the front flap...this is so I can centre the design on the material so it looks better when finished, I used semi-transparent paper for this, so I could see the pattern on the material through it.

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  Step 10

  Now use the same pattern piece to cut out polyester wadding. Make this the actual size of flap, do not add any seam allowance.

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  Step 11

  Lay the wadding onto the flap to check it is the exact size...if not, trim to size with sharp scissors.

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  Step 12

  Now take the wadding, lay on the wrong side of the patterned fabric, fold over seam allowance, pin down, then tack in position.

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  Step 13

  Now with right side of patterned material uppermost, lay on top of bag flap..put a few spots of glue here and there on the canvas bag flap to hold wadding in place...not too much as you don't want it to come through to the top material.

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  Step 14

  Attach patterned material to bag flap by sewing all round edge to edge using ladder stitch, or a small hemming stitch.

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  Step 15

  Remove tacking thread, then admire your new bag!!!

Comments

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nora c. · Strathaven, Scotland, GB · 65 projects 1st May 2010

Yes, you could leave the zip intact, make what could be called a giant buttonhole on the front of the patterned fabric, and sew it in place all around the zip.

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Savalou · Paris, Île-de-France, FR · 11 projects 1st May 2010

Cute!
Is there no way to salvage the front flap as well? I love having tons of pockets, and this would be great to transform some of my old bags, but I'd hate having to cover the zips all up...

Reply

Savalou · Paris, Île-de-France, FR · 11 projects 1st May 2010

Cute!
Is there no way to salvage the front flap as well? I love having tons of pockets, and this would be great to transform some of my old bags, but I'd hate having to cover the zips all up...

Reply

violetta · Temerin, Vojvodina, RS · 208 projects 30th April 2010

I have almost the same dull bag at home!
Ill have to try this!

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