One of the things we love to do with our designs is find new ways to use them for different projects! Whether it be as simple as a quilt block made into a coaster or as transformative as a hanger into a bag, with the right know-how the options are endless. In this blog, we will give you the steps to do just that by turning our Hummingbird Hanger (or any design with a similar layout) into a Shoulder Bag! See the video tutorial and written instructions below:
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS
- Lining 1 - 20cm x 30cm(8” x 12”) Flap lining (back of flap)
- Lining 2– cut 2 x 30cm x 34cm (12” x 13.5”) Front lining
- Cutaway - 20cm x 30cm(8” x 12”) Flap lining (back of flap)
- Loop for D-ring 5cm x 18cm (2” x 7”) or you can use ribbon *size depending on the width of the D-Ring.2 x D-rings
PREPARE THE LINING
Note: these instructions should be used after making all the panels for the Hummingbird Hanger.
Cut a piece of fabric and stabiliser the same width and length as your flap. We will now add a piece of cutaway to the back of Lining 1. Spray adhesive on one side of the cutaway stabiliser, then place Lining 1 right side up on top of the cutaway. We want to stick these two together temporarily. This will add extra stability to the flap. We highly recommend doing this step. Place the flap on top of the piece of Lining 1, right sides together.
Pin and stitch the seam of your flap on your sewing machine. Stitch just inside the border already stitched on the panels so the stitching will not be seen on the right side later. Do not stitch across the top of the flap, we want to keep this open. TIP: I sewed in a little more on the side borders to insure it would not get caught in any seams later on in the construction process.
Trim the seams to ¼” and clip corners. Keep the seam along the top ½.”
Turn out the right way. Use a chopstick to push out the curves and point. Press flat.
JOIN THE PANELS
On your workspace, have your blocks in the layout that you want; two panels for the front of the bag and two panels for the back of the bag.
Start by sewing the blocks for the front of the bag together. Place your front left and right panels right sides together.
Pin and sew a half inch seam, sewing just inside the border lines already on the panels.
Open the seams and iron them flat. REMEMBER – if you are using cork or leather, try not to use direct heat.
Repeat for the back of the bag.
CUT THE LINING
Place first piece of Lining 2 on your table, right side up. Place your sewn front of the bag on top of Lining 2, right sides together, and pin together lightly. Trim the lining so it matches the shape of your bag. Unpin. Repeat the same process with the second piece of Lining 2. Place the back of the bag on top of Lining 2 and trim to the same size.
Place the fabric lining right sides together and pin and stitch the sides and bottom together with a ½” seam allowance. Leave a 6-inch (16 cm) opening in the bottom seam. Iron open side seams.
ADDING A CLASP AND STRAP LOOPS (OPTIONAL)
If you want a clasp on your bag, now is the time to attach it before the flap is added to the bag. All clasps have different methods to attach, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions that apply to the brand you are using.
For our clasp on the flap we measured 1 ½ inches from the point and for the bag panel we measured up 2 ½ inches up from the centre seam as seen below.
Take loop fabric and fold in half, widthways, with the wrong sides together. Iron the fold.
Unfold. Fold both the edges into the middle crease and iron.
Fold again in half lengthwise.
Edge-stitch the edges together; repeat for the other side for a more even look (use a matching bobbin to the top thread).
Fold your piece of fabric in half and then use scissors to cut the fold. Fold your piece of fabric in half. Put through the split ring or D-ring.
Stay stitch together.
Place each loop onto the bag and pin in place. (We decided to place the loops 1” (2.5cm) from the border stitching of the panel). Stay stitched in place.
Next, we are going to attach the flap to the bag. Place the back of the bag on top of your work surface and put your flap so the right sides are together. Centre the flap and clip in place. Now stitch together.
JOIN THE FRONT AND THE BACK OF THE BAG
You should now have your front and back panels ready to be attached together. Place the back and front of the bag on top of each other so the right sides are together. Pin along the sides of the bag and along the bottom of the bag. Use a 1.25cm (½”) seam allowance stitching just inside the perimeter stitching line.
Now make sure the bag is wrong side out and the lining right side out. Slip the lining inside the bag, matching the top and side seams. Pin or quilt clip right around the top edge.
Stitch the seam between the two border lines on your sewing machine.
Trim the corner points. Clip into the remaining seam allowance if this seam is very bulky. Turn through and press the seam flat ensuring the corner curve is well formed. Use a pressing cloth or pressing mat if necessary.
Pull the lining out of the bag and then turn the bag right side out by using the opening we left in the lining. Fold the raw edges of the opening in the lining inwards and stitch closed.
OPTIONAL FINAL STEP
Edgestitch around the top of the bag now if you did not under stitch around the top of the bag. Push your lining back down into your bag and give the top edge a press. Attach your strap.
Your bag is now finished!
If you turn this hanger or any design into a bag, please share with us on any of our social profiles (bottom left) - we'd love to see it!
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