One Grocery Bag

And one grocery bag is complete. Once I got all the figuring done, it went pretty fast. I finished the bag in about a half hour. Plus testing time.

Remember what I said about putting the straps into the facing area? It worked out just fine.

I marked the center point at the top of the bag. I measured 3 1/2" out from that center point. Then, I matched that 3 1/2" mark with an inch line on my cutting mat, and made sure I'd be able to measure 3" from the top of the bag. This is easier to see than describe. See the next picture after this one.

Each strap is centered on a 3 1/2" mark, which I don't have to see, because it's lined up on the mat. I also know each strap is poking out of the facing by 3" by looking at my mat. Pin on the facing.

 Sew the seam and press it open. Folding the facing back and having a nice edge is easier if you press the seam open.

Now, the most amazing thing! See how well I lined up the pattern? Yeah, no, that was entirely coincidence! Truly serendipitious :) I serged the edge of the facing rather than turn it under. Fold the facing to the back, pin and sew along the bottom edge. I also topstitched along the top of the bag.

I sewed over the edges of the straps inside the facing. You have to do this by feel since the strap is enclosed inside the facing.

Sew up the side seams and box the corners. I boxed mine rather deep, about 3 1/4". 

And there it is! Done. Except for the field testing. I had to know if this was going to hold a reasonable amount of groceries and still be light enough that I could carry it comfortably. 

I didn't get a picture of the filled bag, but this is what I put into it and I still had room for more. I'm good with that. 

Now, to make 8 or 9 more! 

More sewing adventure later! 

Karen