The Keisha Bag

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The Keisha Bag Tutorial
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Large Purse, Grocery Tote, Book Bag
(It was late when I put this together. Let me know if I've made any mistakes, or if you have questions!)

From Main Fabric Cut:
-Outside body-2@ 14"x 15"
-Sides-2 @ 5"x 15"
-Bag bottom-1@ 5"x 14"
-Back pocket- 2@ 10"x 14"
-Handles- 2@ 6"x 22"
-tabs- 2 @ 2"x 5"
-inside pocket-1 @ 6.5"x 10"

From Accent fabric cut:
-Lining body-2 @ 14"x 15"
-Lining Sides- 2@ 5"x 15"
-Lining bottom-1 @ 5"x 14"
-Handle accent- 2@ 2.5"x 22"
-Back pocket accent- 1@ 3"x 14"
-Front ties- 2@ 6"x 22"

From Fusible interfacing cut:
-Purse body- 4 @ 14" x 15"
-Purse side- 4 @ 5" x 15"
-Purse Bottom- 2 @ 5"x 14"

Before you begin sewing:
-Cut out all pieces. Mark them by writing (in pencil) on the wrong side of fabric.
-Fuse interfacing to purse and lining pieces.
-Take a deep breath.

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We'll start with the back pocket. You'll need 2 back pocket pieces, and pocket accent piece.
Sandwich edge of accent piece between pocket pieces.
Stitch across top with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Press sandwich open. Then fold along the seam and press under.

Fold and press pocket accent in half.
Fold over onto pocket. Press then topstitch edges.

Pin Pocket on one of the Body Pieces
sew sides to back piece with 1/2" seams.
Fold sides behind, and press on fold
Edge stitch seams
Now set this piece aside. We are going to work on the parts that make up the front of the bag,
beginning with the Tabs (like belt loops).
Fold tabs in half and press a crease into them. Open them back up and fold the
raw edges into the center. Press again.
Do the same thing with ties but don't topstitch yet!
Take one end of each tie and fold it the wrong way.
Stitch end closed, at 1/4"

Clip corner, turn right side out, and press it
Lay the back next to the front as a guide for Tie placement

Top stitch down both sides, and across finished end.
Measuring , to make sure they are level, is always a good idea!
Now it is time to put on the Tabs. Measure 4" from edge of purse front.
Fold ends of tabs under 1/2" and press. Pin them on each side at the same measurements.
Make a couple of stitching lines across the tops and bottoms of tabs.
Tie a cute little bow on the front.
Attach side/back piece to the front, folding seams and top stitching down each side.
This next step may seem a little tricky, but somehow it just magically works right.
We're going to put the bottom in the bag!
Take your bottom piece and center one end along one side/bottom of bag.
Mark where the seams are with pins.
Sew from seam to seam with 3/4" seam allowance.
Stop when you get to the second pin, leave your needle down.
Lift your presser foot and pivot your purse bottom piece around..........
...until it is even with one of the long edges of purse body. Continue to sew until you reach the next seam. Leave the needle down and pivot purse bottom again. Keep going until you have done all 4 sides!!!

Clip the corners close to the seam line. Turn right side out and press.
Now we are going to make the straps/ purse handles.
Take the fabric for the handles and do the same thing to them that you did to the Tabs....you know, that fold-open-fold raw edges-press-fold again. Make sure you top stitch down both sides.
The accent for the handles is done a little differently.
Fold in half, press, open and fold raw edges into the center line, press again.
That is it!!
Top stitch accent to handles by sewing down each side
Instead of Flod-ing your pocket, Fold it in half. Sew around the 3 raw edges
leaving an opening for turning inside out. Clip corners close to seam, turn and press.
Place pocket on one of the body lining pieces. Put it where you want it
but measure to make sure it is level.
pin in place. stitch edges marked in red
This is a really long tutorial.......I'll shorten it by about 12 pictures by telling you to sew the lining together with a 3/4" seam allowance. You don't need to top stitch the seams this time. Set the bottom in just like before.
*************
We're almost there!!!!
Put purse inside the lining.
Matching seams, pin bag and lining together.

Sew around top edge at 1/2". Leave opening between handles.
Turn right side out. Tuck lining inside the purse, and press around the top edge.
I rolled about 1/8" of the lining to the front for a decorative edge.
Stitch around top edge.
You're DONE!!!