Hamish has well and truly outgrown his first grade library bag…

This afternoon I FINALLY found some time to make him a new one using fabric from the stash. (You see…I haven’t bought any new fabric this year and I’m going to try to make it until at least June before I do.)

Here’s what I came up with. Not sure that I love it…but it got the nod from Hamish.

If you’re in the market for a new library bag for your little one it was quite easy to make,

I cut three rectangles:

1. For the main body: 76cm x 42cm.
2. For the strap: 78cm x 8cm.
3. For the gingham closure: 10cm x 12cm.

The first step was to fold the largest rectangle in half joining the shortest (42cm) edges together, then sewing down this edge and across the bottom to make the bag. Next I hemmed the top edge of the bag.

To make the strap I folded the rectangle in half lengthwise and sewed all the way up the 78cm. I then cut a length of ribbon 80cm long and threaded this down the strip holding one end of the ribbon at the top and sewing it in place across the narrow opening. This ribbon will help you to turn the strap through the right way. Now hold the ribbon at the other end (I normally slip it under my foot) and then, starting at the top where you attached the ribbon in the seam, start turning the fabric through. Keep shortening the ribbon under your foot as you turn the fabric through. Once fully turned through cut the edge where the ribbon was attached to remove the ribbon. Now fold the cut edges in to create a neat seam. Sew the strap in place.

Next fold the smallest rectangle in half with the slightly shorter edges together. Sew the side and bottom and then turn through the right way. Again, fold the unsewn edge in to create a neat edge before sewing to the centre back of the bag. Sew a buttonhole into this flap, and finally a button onto the bag.

I hope this all makes sense. It would have helped greatly if I had taken photos as I was making this to accompany the description. Please let me know if you have any questions.