Condiddle carry bag step by step tutorial

A step by step tutorial to assist in the making of the Condiddle carrybag project – the pattern is available for sale here.

For those of you who do better visually when making, follow this along with the instructions in your pattern for a perfect finish.

Complete all embroidery as per the iron on transfer, design sheet and instructions. Press well and trim to the outer transfer line which is the cutting line.

Place right sides together with the pocket lining and stitch around short and curved edge with a 1/4” seam allowance. Leave top long edge open. Clip the curves.

Layout your 28 x 2 ½” squares to make 7 rows of 4.

Join together in pairs and press each row or alternate blocks in opposite directions.

Join rows to make one panel of 5 rows and one panel of two rows. Press seams upwards in each row.

Attach a 1 ½” linen strip to the bottom of both panels.

Attach the 5 ¼” linen strip to the top of the 2 row panel. Press towards linen.

Fuse both panels to fusible lightweight batting (parlan or pellon) and trim to size.

Quilt by hand or machine through squares and batting.

Place pocket lining piece right sides together with outer large pocket. Stitch along top edge. Turn to wrong side and press. Edgestitch along top edge of the pocket using a blending thread to the linen

Fuse one piece of lining fabric to fusible lightweight batting. Trim to size.

Place front two row panel right side up onto right side of lining with bottom edges even. Position prepared pocket evenly with top edge – there should be a 3/8” gap at either side.

Optional-  insert magnet

insert a magnet closure into embroidered pocket flap before closing the top edge.

Press closure into linen of pocket piece to make a dent.

Position and insert the other half onto your outer pocket panel through the top layer only so that the prongs sit between the outer and lining.

Reposition and baste all edges of the pocket to the lining piece

Baste along top edge

Tabs: fold tab fabric right sides together and stitch along long edge. Turn through, turn seam to the centre and press. Edge stitch down both sides. Cut in half to make two short tab strips.

Fold tab strip in half with seam inside and place a D-ring over the fold. Position 3/4” in from each edge of the back 5 row panel on the right side with top raw edges even. Baste and repeat for the remaining tab on the other side.

Separate your zip into two parts. Place one side right side down onto right side of outer panel. Place lining piece right side down on top. Pin, klip or glue all three layers into place.

Using a zipper foot stitch ¼” down the side of the zipper tape. Turn lining to wrong side of outer panel. Press and edge stitch through all layers.

Lift the embroidered flap and edgestitch under this through the zip.

Repeat this process with the back of the back and remaining lining piece.

Attach the zipper pull to join the two sides. Have the zipper half open.

Take the two outer panels and pull to one end, with the two lining panels to the other. Pin match the centre zip seams

Stitch around outside edges leaving a 4” opening in one side of the lining fabric.

Fold the bottom corners of the bag (and lining) until the seams sit on top of each other. Stitch 1” in from the point through all layers (along the seam line of the linen strip).
Trim corner off. Repeat for both outer bag corners and both lining corners.

Clip corners and turn the bag to the right side through opening.

Stitch the opening closed.

Push the lining down inside the bag smoothly. Press well. Close zipper.

Handles

Fold in a ¼”seam at each end of your long strip. Press. Fold the whole strip in half along the length, press. Open and fold both edges to the centre crease. Again press.

Machine or hand stitch down around all edges. Note: I machine stitched but it would be nice to replicate your quilting stitch that you used on your squares so if you used the stranded thread, repeat this along the edges of your strap if desired.

Choose a right and wrong side of your strap. With the right side up pass the strap through the slide buckle, in one side, over the centre bar and out the other side.

Fold strap wrong sides together approximately 2” past the fold. Stitch along same stitch lines in a crossed square to secure

Pass the other end through one of the swivel clasps and leave loose along the strap.

Next pass the open end back through the slide buckle (wrong side will be sitting against right side under). Lastly pass the end through the remaining swivel clasp – fold over the clasp again approximately 2” past the fold (match the distance of the other end) and stitch in a crossed square to secure.

Attach your swivel clasps to the d-rings on your bag top and adjust the length using the slider to suit.

And your bag is complete!