Handmade Cotton Bag

By using two attractive, contrasting fabrics, you'll have the benefit of a fully reversible bag to fit your mood or style. This double thickness also makes the bag much stronger. The pretty patchwork fabric creates an extra level of work, but if you want to simplify things slightly, you can use a single piece of fabric instead.

Materials Needed:

• templates
• scraps of cotton fabric, cut into squares and rectangles of various sizes and sewn into a large piece of patchwork, with all the seams pressed flat using an iron
• an old gingham tablecloth, or similar material, for the lining
• scissors

• pins
• sewing machine (optional)
• cotton thread and needle
• Download: Cotton Bag Pattern

Step 1

Make up the templates according to the size you want the bag to be, and cut out two bag shapes from each piece of fabric so that you have four bag shapes altogether. Then cut two base shapes from each piece of fabric.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - A Greener Christmas © 2008 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Step 2

Lay one patchwork shape on top of a gingham shape, correct sides facing inward. Stitch the curved edges only together on each side. Repeat with the other two shapes.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - A Greener Christmas © 2008 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Step 3

Align the half-sewn shapes, with the patchwork on the outside. Lift the gingham. Sew the patchwork's straight sides. Sew on the patchwork base, correct side facing inward.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - A Greener Christmas © 2008 Dorling Kindersley Limited