It's been a long time since I've written a new pattern (long & boring story), but here's a new one now!
Let's start with where to find the pattern and that would be here on my website, or here on etsy.
Now about these bags...these are fantastic storage bags and like the Grocery Bags, they are simple to make and take only an hour or two from start to finish.
You'll come up will all sorts of things to stash away inside them, and of course, they are perfect for knit or crochet or other craft project bags. Here are some ways I'm using my bags:
- Size 1 for the clean face masks. It sits by the door and when they are fresh out of the wash, I press out the worst of the wrinkles and then stash them in the bag. Then it's obvious which ones are clean because they in the bag for the clean ones.
- Size 2 for fabric scraps! I have three (and probably need more) where the different sizes and types of scraps are sort of sorted. When it's time to put together scrap bags, I just grab the bags and take them to the cutting table.
- Size 2 for plastic lids for jars. I have a whole bag of these darn lids! But they are super useful for storing things in jars so I appreciate this annoying little plastic disks. They are even easier to appreciate now that they have a pretty bag to call their home. Besides containing these wiley little round disks, the bag fits in a tight spot in the cupboard thanks to it's squishy sides. It just shoves right in there and conforms to whatever space is left over.
- Size 2 for storing random small things in the cabinets under the bathroom sink. These are the tubes of things used only from time to time where it doesn't make sense for them to take up space in the medicine cabinet or on the counter, but I still want them nearby.
- Size 3 for scraps/remnants/small cuts of batting, canvas, flannel, interfacing, and other interlinings.
- Size 3 for rags. It sits on top the fridge and looks lovely, but holds the towels too ugly to put out, but still useful for the worst cleaning jobs.
So about the bags...they are floppy bags. Yes, you can make them stiff if you like, but their floppiness has some benefits:
- They are washable since they aren't interfaced. More about interfacing down below.
- They'll sit just about anywhere without tipping over. The unique corners (they are like the Grocery Bags) provide a base that conforms nicely to whatever surface it's on.
- They'll squeeze into places a solid bag won't go since their sides are soft and squishy.
- They'll fold down somewhat flat if you aren't using the bag and want to store the bag away.
- If you are selling them, they'll gently fold into a shape so you can get them in a small box (I use 6"x6"x6" boxes) and survive the journey without being crumpled to death.
Here are some questions you might have or that others have already asked:
Can you use interfacing? Sure, but I'd only use it on the handle. I'm not a fan of using it for the bag body because if the bag gets wet (you might want to wash it someday), it's going to get all wrinkly and ugly. The less detail oriented among of us might not notice, but to everyone else it's going to look kinda ruined.
What kind of flannel do you use? Most flannel is 100% cotton, but some--especially vintage flannel--might have some poly. Don't use a blend. The point of the flannel is it's soft and has a nice drape and acts like thin batting. Poly blend flannel can be stiff, so skip the blends. I have some flannel for sale here or just look for something at a reasonable price. It's not visible anywhere on the finished bag so you don't need designer quality flannel. White or off-white is your best bet for colors so it doesn't influence the color of the lining fabric.
Can I use quilting cotton? Yes, you sure can! I recommend backing the exterior with another layer of muslin (just like how the lining is done in the pattern) to bulk the quilting cotton layer up.
What other kinds of fabrics are good for this pattern? Denim, corduroy, light to medium weight canvas, duck cloth, Oxford, twill, or other washable fabrics (if you plan to wash it) are going to be fine. Wool would also be ok. It can we hand washed if needed. If you want to use something like upholstery fabric or heavy canvas, sew the bottom corners as box corners. Making them the way they are done in this pattern is going to be bulky with thick/heavy fabric.
One last tip/mention:
The seams are double stitched and this is optional--with the exception of the bottom seams. The bottom seam should be double stitched to reinforce the gusset at the corners. I double stitched all the seams just out of habit from sewing Grocery Bags, and then considered it might not be necessary, but came back to it because these bags are nice for heavier things too. At one point, I had 14 yards of fabric stashed in one and it was quite the load. With double stitched seams, they are more durable and able to handle heavy loads.
