These Grocery Bags with the body divided into two fabrics have shown up in a number of recent posts--including the one right before this one.
Today I have a chart for some suggested dimensions for cutting pieces to make these bags and also some diagrams and info for making pattern pieces that can be used for making these divided bags.
If you are going to make a bunch of these bags--either divided or not--it goes a lot faster if you have chipboard pattern pieces. That's what the diagrams are for and then if you just want straight dimensions, here they are:
Here are the diagrams for pattern pieces for all three sizes:
To make a long lasting pattern piece, get some chipboard and use packing tape to join enough pieces together to accommodate the perimeter dimensions given in the pattern instructions.
Then mark the measurements given in the diagrams above along both sides of the pattern piece.
The top number in the diagrams is for the upper section of the divided bag and the lower number is for the bottom section. They are oriented vertically, so you'd mark your piece out tracing from the number down the side, across the bottom, and up the other side.
For the bottom section of the bag, begin by making a registration mark off to the side of the lower number. In the next step, the horizontal line across the top of the section will be hidden, so you'll need these registration marks to orient the piece.
Then trace from the lower number down the side, across the bottom, and then up to the lower number on the other side.
Turn the pattern piece upside down, line up the flat edge with the registration marks, and mark the top so you have a rectangle. Instead of turning the piece upside down, you can simply keep sliding it upward. It's just easier to flip it upside down though because it sets you up for the next step.
Slide the pattern piece down until the lower number matches the registration marks, and trace up the side, across the top, and then down to the lower number.
Now you have two pieces outlined for the bottom section. Repeat these steps for the top section using the larger numbers marked along the sides of the pattern piece. Then sew the sections together using a 3/8" SA.
