This is a fabulous "first sewing project". No zippers or buttons. Learn how to make a casing and practice straight stitching.
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SUPPLIES REQUIRED
Two 13.5" x 19.5" pieces of 430 D waterproof nylon fabric, two 64"
pieces of 1/4" nylon cording, insignia cloth large enough for lettering (one 4" x 15" piece is enough for school initials)
NOTE: insignia cloth sticks like scotch tape. It is NOT a permanent bond, but is also NOT easily dislodged. We scrunched up the bag, tossed it around, etc. and the letters stayed on firmly. Insignia cloth is very flexible and easy to work with. If you grab a letter and carefully peel, however, you can peel it off. This is nice if you wish to re-position the letters, remove them, etc. If you want a permanent bond, use fabric glue or iron-on adhesive (such as our heat-n-bond) and other fabric of your choice, or stitch around these letters. Cotton, twill, denim, duck cloth and fabrics with similar weights would work well, too. Any good quality cotton fabric could be appliqued on as letters.
hint: quilting pins are easier to use than regular pins; a tupperware box works well as a supply box
Please Note: If you are using waterproof fabric, the duller side is considered the RIGHT side and the shiny side is the WRONG side; however you can use it either way. I made my pack with the shiny, dark side as the right side.
Create Main Bag Cord Casings
Set out the two main bag pieces from the kit and trim them to 13.5" x 19.5". They do not have to be precisely this size, but it is important that they each be the same size. If using your own fabric, cut two pieces each measuring 13.5" x 19.5".
1. Place a main bag piece WRONG side up. Using a fabric pencil, make a small mark 2.25" from the top and 1/4" from the left side edge. Cut a horizontal snip from the edge to this mark. If you do not have a fabric pencil, mark the spot with a pin.
2. Fold the fabric to create a 1/4" hem on the wrong side, perpendicular to the snip. Stitch. See photo on right (stitching is enhanced).
Repeat on the right side edge.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the second bag piece.
3. Fold down the top to the WRONG side so that the lower edge is about 1/4" below the notched area. Press. Pin hem into place. Stitch across. Do this for each bag piece. This will create a 1" casing at the top of each bag piece.
4. Place the two bag pieces right sides together. Check to be sure they are the same size - trim sides or bottom as necessary. Stitch the sides, using 1/4" seam allowance. Start stitching at the top and STOP when you are 1" from the bottom.
