How to Make a 'Fab Bag'

This is how to make a fabric lined bag 'Fab Bag' that can be used as a desk tidy for pens, pencils etc. or as a multi purpose bag. The bags can be made in any size, any fabric or can be knitted. They are fab as gifts.

The materials and tools you will need are:

Fabric for the bag and fabric for the lining. This can be recycled fabric from an old garment.
Tape or ribbon for tying.
Piece of iron on interfacing (optional, but it helps to strengthen the base)
Thread
Scissors
Tape measure
Pins
Charm (Optional)

Decide on the size of the base of the bag. For this bag we cut out a 13cm square. We also cut an identical square in the lining fabric and one in the iron on interfacing.

Decide on the height of your bag plus the turn down. Our bag's height is 26cms plus a turn down of 10cms. Total 36cms.

The fabric needed is determined by the size of the base. Ours measures 13cms square so we needed 13cms x 4 (the square has four sides) =52cms

The fabric needed is 52cms by 36cms.

The outside pocket is optional. Ours is 13cms x 16cms (4cms is the facing)
The loop for a charm again is optional. Ours measures 4cms x 8cms

The tape measures 90cms (this depends on how long you want the tie)

Iron on the interfacing to the wrong side of the main bag fabric base.

Turn down the pocket facing of 4cms. Stitch down both sides as shown.

Turn through as shown.

Use the point of a pair of scissors to push out the pocket corners. Take care not to push too hard or you will cut the stitching.

Press the seams on the three sides as shown. This makes sewing the pocket down on the bag much easier.

Decide where you would like a pocket on the main fabric of the bag. Pin and sew.

To make the loop fold the loop fabric in half and sew. Turn through. Place the tape and loop fabric between the seam of the main fabric and sew. Turn through as shown.

With right sides together pin the base of the bag to the main body of the bag. Take care with the corners. You can snip the fabric to ease the fabric into the corners. Turn through.

Do exactly the same for the lining. We added a small tape loop into the seam.

Turn and pin a small hem around the opening of the main bag. Do exactly the same to the lining. Press. This makes it easier to sew the two together.

Place the lining inside the main bag. Make sure the lining is the right way. Pin the lining to the main bag and sew together.

Your 'Fab Bag' is now complete. You can add charms to the outside loop and attach your mobile phone/keys etc to the inside loop for safety.

You can make smaller 'Fab Bags' for jewellery/sweets/make-up/money etc. Larger 'Fab Bags' can be containers for magazines/books etc.

Enjoy.