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The Knotty Bag Tutorial and Pattern

The Knotty Bag Sewing Tutorial and Pattern

The Knotty Bag is a large bag with simple straight lines; but it has an unexpected playful twist:  strips of fabric on the front with each featuring a fun knot.  This spunky bag is large in both size and fun factor; a great way to hold your books, or knitting and other creative projects.  It will also make a wonderful oversized handbag or diaper-bag. 

The Knotty Bag Sewing Tutorial and Pattern

No two handmade Knotty Bags will be alike as you will use unique combinations of random fabrics to make the knotty strips different than anyone else's in the world….

The interior has a handy patch-pocket on one side and a zippered- pocket on the other side, because bags need to be cute as well as functional.  As you use and carry this bag with pride, the knotty design is sure to snatch lots of compliments for you….

The Knotty Bag Sewing Tutorial and Pattern

The Knotty Bag Sewing Tutorial and Pattern

The Knotty Bag Sewing Instructions

It is time to make something “knotty” to carry around! 

Materials:

- Basic sewing supplies
- Thread (coordinating or contrasting colors)
- Large Button

Optional:

- 9 inch zipper
- 7 inch ribbon
- Fray-check

Fabric:
 
- Cotton (random colors and prints)
- Linen (or cotton canvas) - ½ yard
- Linen (or cotton canvas) contrasting color - ½ yard
- Lining fabric - ¾ yard
- Ultimate Firm Fusible Stabilizer (or stiff canvas) – ¾ yard
- Plastic Canvas or Cardboard

The Knotty Bag is a large bag with simple straight lines; but it has an unexpected playful twist:  
strips of fabric on the front with each featuring a fun knot.  This spunky bag is large in both size
and fun factor; a great way to hold your books, or knitting and other creative projects.  It will also
make a wonderful over-sized handbag.  

- A lot of people are afraid of making zippered pockets, but because they are so handy to have in a handbag, super-easy instructions are included or those of you who want to give it a try.   
- All seams are ½ inch unless otherwise noted. 

Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions 

After cutting out your fabric, use random combinations to make ten strips

Sew two 2-inch wide strips together, back to back, along long sides with approximately a ¼ inch allowance.  You may use a straight stitch or a decorative stitch.

Place one (1 x 14 inch) strip along the center of these ten strips and stitch in the same manner.  Leave the edges unfinished to make a frolic-y frayed look.

Apply Firm Fusible Interfacing to the back of front and back panels  Or you can do what I did:  use some stiff canvas and baste it on.
Lining up the bottom of the strips to the bottom of the front panel (stabilizer added to the back), baste these ten strips side by side onto the linen front panel along the edge, leaving one inch free on both left and right sides.

The strips will stick out above the top edge of the front panel.

Tie a knot in each strip at random locations.  Pin other end of strips onto the top of the front panel, in same manner as the bottom, again leaving one inch clear on both left and right sides.  Baste the top
edge.

To keep strips in place, intermittently stitch strips down.  You may cover existing stitches or add new ones.  Have fun with this as randomness is part of the style.

Fold the pockets in half lengthwise, press.  Topstitch at the fold at about ¼ inch.

Apply stabilizer (or stiff canvas) to the back of the bottom and side panels.
Pin pocket to side panel (stabilizer added to the back), lining up bottom and sides.  Baste bottom and sides. 

Prepare the handles bias-tape style: Fold handles in half lengthwise, press.

Fold edges to middle, press. 

Fold all layers together, press. 

Stitch close to edge on both sides using matching thread. 

Prepare button loop in same manner.
Stitch closed on one side. 

Sew bottom panel to front panel. 

Sew back panel to other side of bottom panel in same manner. 

Mark the mid-top of the back panel.  Place the button loop here.  Pin and sew in place. 

Measure 2 ¾ inch to the side of the mid-point and pin the handle ends there.  Make sure they are 5 ½ inches apart.  Stitch in place. 

Attach handles to front panel in same manner. 

Pin the side-panels to the front and bottom panels, lining up corners to seams.  Sew in place.
(Now you can see how not-lovely my stiff canvas looks that I used to give the bag extra sturdiness….  But it works well….) 

Fold your patch pocket in half, right sides together.  (It now measures 11 x 6 inches)  Sew the edges at ¼ inch, leaving a four inch opening for turning.  Trim the corners slightly.  

Turn.  Fold in the opening, press.   

Center patch pocket on interior front panel, 2 ¼ inches down from the top.
Sew around the sides and bottom, close to the edge. 

Add pocket dividers as follows:  use disappearing ink or pencil to draw a vertical line 2 inches from the left side, and again 4 inches from that line.
Stitch on these lines, making sure to backstitch securely at the top. 

The zippered pocket is optional:
Place the zippered pocket fabric wrong side up (10 iches being the width).  Mark mid-top for reference.  One inch from the top, draw a horizontal rectangle that is ½ x 8 inches. 

Mark mid-top of the interior back panel, and place pocket fabric on top of it, right sides together, two inches from the top.  Pin in place. 

Stitch, using a tiny stitch-length, right over the lines your just drew.

Cut down the center.  Stop at ½ inch from the ends.  Then carefully cut to the corners, trying to get as close as you can without going beyond. (Using tiny scissors helps)

Turn the pocket fabric through the hole.  Press and shape till it looks nice and flat and smooth. 

Flip the side of the panel over, so a little triangle shows.  Sew across this triangle.  Repeat on other side. 

Center the zipper under the rectangle.  Pin in place.  Use zipper-foot to stitch around it, close to the edges.

On the wrong side, fold the pocket horizontally.  Pin and stitch along the open sides. 

Pull a 7 inch zipper though the zipper-pull.  Apply fray-check to the ends (optional)
Zippered pocket is all done now!  Yay!!!! 

Attach interior front panel to interior bottom panel

Attach back panel to bottom panel in same fashion, except: leave an 8 inch opening for turning.

Pin on interior side panels, lining up corners of side panels to seams. Sew. 

Place interior bag inside exterior bag, right sides together, matching up seams.  Pin the top.  Stitch all the way around the top.  Double-stitch where the handles attach.

Turn right side out.   
Slip-stitch opening in lining shut (by hand).
Insert lining. 

Press top edges.

Topstitch at ¼ inch.   

Cut your plastic canvas (or cardboard) (4 x 21 inches) Try it for size and trim if needed. 

Sew the cover pillow-case style:  fold the fabric in half.  Stitch along the side and bottom using a ¼ inch seam.  Trim corners slightly. 

Turn inside out, press.  Insert plastic canvas.   

Slipstitch closed.  Place in bottom of bag to maintain the shape. 

Attach button to the front.
You’re done!  Enjoy!  

The Knotty Bag Sewing Tutorial and Pattern

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