Project Quilting 15.3 Inside Out

For this third challenge we were to create something that thematically or literally shows the aspect of being inside out. I think of expressions like Wear your heart on your sleeve, or My eyeballs fell out of their sockets. You could have exposed seams, which made me think of the old jeans and flannel-backed quilt I made years ago with raggedy edges from sewing the layers wrong sides together. A bag would work, Trish said, because it gets sewn with right sides together and then, as she said, 'birthed', pulling the outside of the bag through the inside-out lining. That bag idea was it, and I knew right away what one I would make. After last challenge's challenges (ha) and missing the deadline by a few hours, this one was going to be Simple Simon, no getting all fancy.

As soon as I read the directive for this challenge, I knew I would make my Positive Flow bag pattern. I sold the one remaining in my shop a little while ago, so with the intention of making one to replace it, I was off. Well, as much as one can be off with a dog recovering from ACL surgery and tag-teaming with one’s husband so that one of us is with her 24/7.

This ensures her safety and keeping her as quiet and immobile as possible for the first 3-4 weeks. Still, I got it done on Friday in time for an outside photo or two in the (are you sitting down?) sunshine!

Bag Handles Tutorial

Bag handles tutorial?  I know my sister, Linda, will have some choice comment for this post!  If you've ever dreaded turning the 1X30" tube inside out to create a handle, read on!  Here are two easy methods with no turning of pesky tubes!

This morning I finished two diaper bags for the Children's Aid Society charity work that my guild does.

I used two different methods for the handles for these bags.  I thought I'd share how I did my own method, as well as how those in the pattern for the bags were constructed.  Sorry, I only had this brainwave as I was finishing topstitching my handles!  Hence the first few pictures are using a short piece as a demo.

Method 1
1.  Cut a 30" strip of fabric that is 3" wide.

2.  Turn under the long edges 1/4" and press.

3.  Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press.

Opened out so you can see the fold down the centre

4.  Cut a 30" piece of 1" wide batting.  Yay!  Knew you saved those skinny pieces from the sides, tops and bottoms of your quilts for some reason!!  Place it inside the folded strap.

Bad example; I didn't have enough of my batting strip left!  It should be the same length as your handle.

5.  Fold the strap in half, encasing the binding.  Topstitch along both edges, and then do a gentle curve down the centre of the strap!

All done, ready to be basted to your bag!

This is the point where I thought aha!  I should write a tutorial for two methods for making bag handles!

Method 2

1.  Cut a strip that is 30" long by 5" wide.
2.  Press it in half lengthwise.

3.  Press the long edges in so they meet at the centre fold.

This is what it now looks like, opened out before the next step:

4.  Fold in half lengthwise once again, so the raw edges are encased.

 5.  Topstitch down both long edges.  Your strap is ready to be basted to your bag!

Personally, I prefer the piece of batting inside the handles, as it gives them a little more cushion when the bag is over my shoulder.  Either method, these make great straps, with no turning of a long tube!