Pocketbook Tutorial Part Four

All of the other posts in this series are under "Pocketbook Tutorial" in the labels section of my side bar.

Its time to sew the pockets on the lining.

First we'll take the pocket that we cut on the fold which is the width of the lining and sew it on like this. First I made a top stitch at the top near the fold about 3/8inch wide. Then pin the pocket on the lining. This pocket is wide enough that the edge will eventually be sewn in with the seam of the lining. For now sew starting at the top on one side all the way down, across the bottom and up the other side in a "u" shape, using about a 1/4 inch seam. Then decide how wide you want your pockets. I usually make mine around 4 inches wide. You'll end up with 3 pockets about 6 inches deep and 4 inches wide. I also like to make one narrow one that will hold a pen. I'm always looking for a pen in my pocketbook! The finished pocket will look like this.




I like to make another pocket on the other side of the lining using a different fabric. This one will be made from the tractor fabric. The size is up to you. Sometimes I make it the size of a cell phone. Sometimes it depends on how much fabric I have left. This one is 13 inches by 8 inches. The way I make this pocket is to turn down 1/2 inch at the top of the pocket and press. Then turn this down right sides together and sew a 1/2 inche seam on each side. Then turn this right side out, pushing out the corners well. Press. Then you can stitch a seam across the bottom of the hem you just made. Sew the seam from the bottom side of the fabric. It'll look like this.




Then pin the pocket onto the other lining piece and stitch around it like you did the first one and make your seams for the pockets. If you make it small for a cell phone, of course you'd only sew around the outside edge.




Finally you can start sewing the panels together.

Pin the lining pieces right sides together on the bottom seam. Stitch a 1/2 inch seam leaving about a 5 inch opening for turning the bag later. Press the seam open. If you press the bottom seam open before sewing the side seams it makes it easier to sew the bottom ends later. Then pin the side seams together and sew a 1/2 inch seam on them as well.




After you've sewn the bottom and side seams you'll see how to make the bottom square. Simply press each end together, matching seams and pin like this.



Then sew a 1/2 inch seam straight across. You can turn it to see what it looks like if you want, but you will need to turn it back so that the right sides are on the inside when sewing the outer and inner panels together.

Then you will do the same thing for the outer panels, except you won't leave an opening for turning. Sew the bottom seam first and press the seam open.



Turn the sewn together panels right side up and stitch a line on each side of the seam 1/4 inch away from the seam. I just put the edge of the presser foot on top of the seam and that gives me an accurate 1/4 inch distance. This reinforces the bag and makes the bottom look nice.



Then sew the outside seams. Make sure the side seams match if you added ribbon or used two fabrics on the front. Sew the ends of the bottom just like you did for the lining.




Turn the bag right side out. Isn't that cute?



In the next post in this series we'll make the handles and loop for the closure, sew the outside and inside panels together and hopefully finish this bag!