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60 minutes
So-so

Sling Bag

  • Completed Project: Sling Bag Picture #1
  • Completed Project: Sling Bag Picture #2

Sling bag tutorial
 <  Image 1 of 2  > 

This is for all of the awesome tutorial writing crafters. Its my first tute and I went a little nuts with the pictures. I love making these bags, because I don’t have to use much interfacing. They are supposed to be big and floppy. I do like a little structure so I use some heavier fabric for either the main fabric or the lining. In this case, I’m using a mod print quilting weight cotton for the main (outside) fabric and a striped canvas for the lining.

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  1. Step 1

    Step 1

    First you cut like crazy.

    Cut a long strip of each the main fabric and lining for the strap. 6x38 inches

    Cut 2 large squares out of both the main fabric and the lining for the body of the bag. 18x18 inches

    Cut a rectangle of the lining for an interior pocket. 8x16 inches

    Fuse interfacing to the pocket piece!

  2. Step 2

    Step 2

    Here is everything.


  3. Step 3

    Step 3

    2. Here is where it gets interesting…

    We are going to shape our bag. Take all four of your big squares and stack them up. (Outside fabric with wrong sides together and then lining fabric with outsides together.)

  4. Step 4

    Step 4

    Fold the whole thing in half.
    Measure 3 inches in from the fold and make a mark.
    Measure 12 inches up from the bottom right corner and make a mark.
    Connect the dots! Draw a curve from one mark to the other.


  5. Step 5

    Step 5

    Now cut that curve out.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6

    Open the whole thing and you should have four pieces that look like this.

  7. Step 7

    Step 7

    We are going to do the same thing to the strap by giving it some shape.
    Put your two strap pieces wrong sides together.
    Fold in half lengthwise (make shorter)AND THEN widthwise(make thinner).

    Measure in 1.5 inches from the center fold and make a mark.

    Draw a line from that point to the bottom corner. Cut that piece out.

  8. Step 8

    Step 8

    Open the whole thing up and you have two gigantic bowtie pieces.

    . You mean we get to sew now?!!

    Put the straps right sides together and sew the outside lengths together. Leave the top and bottom open. Then you turn the darn thing inside out and I hate this part!

    Press flat and topstitch close to the edge along the sides.

  9. Step 9

    Step 9

    Put the strap off to the side and grab the pocket piece and one of the big lining pieces.
    Fold the pocket piece in half with right sides together.

    Sew around the pocket, but leave about 2 or 3 inches for turning.

    Turn it inside out pop out the corners and press it flat.

  10. Step 10

    Step 10

    Get the lining piece away from the cat.

  11. Step 11

    Step 11

    Center the pocket on the lining piece; pin it down and stitch around the sides… you will catch the turning opening when you stitch it down.

  12. Step 12

    Step 12

    4. Now we’re getting somewhere.

    Put the main body fabric right sides together and stitch along the sides.
    Do the same with the lining.

  13. Step 13

    Step 13

    Flip the lining right side out with the seams now in the middle.
    Keep the main fabric inside out with the seams now in the middle.
    Put the lining inside of the main fabric and pin around one of the curves.
    Sew around that curve.
    Do the same thing on the other side.
    You will leave two openings for the straps.

  14. Step 14

    Step 14

    Straps!
    Feed the ends of the straps up through the bottom of the bag and up through the holes we left. Make sure not to twist it and that the lining of the strap matches the lining of the bag. Pin them in and stitch them down really well.

  15. Step 15

    Step 15

    Finishing.
    Turn the whole thing inside out and match the center seams together. Pin and sew the bottoms closed, but make sure to leave an opening in the lining for turning.

  16. Step 16

    Step 16

    Turn it right side out… we’re almost there!

    Sew the lining closed either by machine or by hand if you want it to be completely reversible. ( I always put my tag in this seam.)

  17. Step 17

    Step 17

    Flip the lining inside of the bag.
    Pin and topstitch around the curves.

  18. Step 18

    Step 18

    Here's the finished deal!

  19. Step 19

    Step 19

    Inside out!
    Please let me know if I don't make sense on something. That was hard work. Time for chocolate.

Versions (7)

Version Sling Bag By salte
Version Sling Bag By Kate
Version Sling Bag By Pirate Moose
Version Sling Bag By Buttons
Version Sling Bag By Diana D.
Version Sling Bag By Sew Lizzy
Version Sling Bag By Sew Lizzy

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Cat Morley

Cat Morley

24 Apr 02:36

Great tutorial, thanks for sharing. I love how you can wear it inside out too!

cherry rabbit mama

cherry rabbit mama

24 Apr 04:19

wowwww im so happy to see this i love sling purses

Nanzaa LOW

Nanzaa LOW

24 Apr 06:15

i like da fabric..colorfully...nice job :D

kaludesign

kaludesign

24 Apr 17:08

adorable. :)

jellyandcustard

jellyandcustard

24 Apr 18:25

I like the fact you have a little crafty cat friend to keep you company while you sew! Lovely bag, I will definitely have a go once I get some gorgeous fabric- I currently possess scraps!

Liz Usui

Liz Usui

25 Apr 00:42

very easy!! I love it!!!n_n

iWunder01

iWunder01

25 Apr 02:07

That is so cute!!

Cat Morley

Cat Morley

25 Apr 16:28

I forgot to say, super cute cat!

Govinda L.

Govinda L.

25 Apr 17:35

Great. Now I have to make that. I always need a new purse.

Sarah

Sarah

25 Apr 20:32

Thia is so awesome!
Thanks do much for sharing :D
Yopur cat is so cute!
xx

JuliaFuentes

JuliaFuentes

27 Apr 02:30

thanks for sharing:]

Betty K.

Betty K.

27 Apr 05:33

That is fantastic... can't wait till i get my sewing machine set up for this one!!!!

ʎǝɔɐɹƃ

ʎǝɔɐɹƃ

27 Apr 19:01

LOVE IT-Super cute cat :D
Love picture 12
Your cat is very photogenic teehee

Shantessa K.

Shantessa K.

28 Apr 00:52

Awesome Tut thanks so much for posting it i love that fabric too!

Lucía

Lucía

28 Apr 23:06

Great job both on the bag and the tutorial! So funny how you included your cute cat in the instructions :)

Deborah T.

Deborah T.

02 May 13:51

going to try this for sure ..would be good for my wheel chair

miranda

miranda

02 Jul 08:43

AWESOME TUTORIAL, THANKS FOR SHARING, MADE ONE ... TURNED OUT GREAT EVEN WITHOUT THE CATS HELP !! MY CHIHUAHUA DID WATCH THOUGH... DOES THAT COUNT?

Pirate Moose

Pirate Moose

17 Jul 15:49

Thanks for sharing - I love it! Bought some fabric today so will definitely have to give it a go! But I don't quite understand step 16 - will it only be reversible if you sew it by hand?
Cute cat by the way :-)

Twizler

Twizler

10 Mar 17:25

I am going to try making one out of duct tape!

Twizler

Twizler

10 Mar 17:25

I am going to try making one out of duct tape!

Luisa L.

Luisa L.

11 Apr 15:12

I love your cat *______________________________*

steph blue Posted By:
steph blue »
April 24, 2008 02:36
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