Lined Travel Bag Tutorial...

Today I thought I would share a

 fun and easy tutorial for  

"Lined Travel Bags"

 I designed them to go with my new

 Millie's Closet fabric line.

I don't know about you...

but when I travel,

 I like to keep my things separated

 inside my suitcase to protect them.

Things like sweaters or delicate clothing

 items are good to keep separated so 

that they aren't roughed up during travel...

and I also like to keep my shoes 

in separate bags too.

This bag finishes at about 10" x 16"

 perfect for a pair of shoes or

 for whatever else you may need it:) 

For each bag you will need...

2 Fat quarters.

One for the outside of the bag...

 and one for the lining.

Cut EACH fat quarter to measure 17" x 21".

For the tie you will need one

 2 1/2" x 44" strip of fabric.

Fold the lining in half with 

right sides together so that it

 measures 10 1/2" x 17".

On the side that isn't folded,

 measure 7" down from the top and

 5" up from the bottom...

placing a mark on the seam allowance

 so that you know where to 

stop and start stitching....

this is your opening for turning

 right side out later.

Using a 1/4" seam allowance,

 sew along the bottom edge and the side, leaving the top open... 

and make sure to leave the opening

 that you have marked unstitched.

 Don't forget to backstitch each time

 that you stop and start again.

Fold the bag front in half with right sides together so that it measures 10 1/2" x 17".

You will need to leave an opening for

 the tie on this piece.

Measure 2" down from the top and mark...

then measure another 1 1/4" down 

from that line and mark again.

 You should have 2 marks 1 1/4"apart.

Stitch along the bottom and the side...leaving the area between your markings unstitched. Backstitch to secure stitches each time

 you stop and start again.

You will need to finger press the seams open on the bag front and stitch around the casing opening so that the seam allowance won't come out when you tie and untie your bag.

By the way...I used matching thread on my other bags but I used contrasting thread for this one so that you could see my stitches:)

For this next step,

 turn the bag front right side out but

 keep the lining turned wrong side out.

Place the bag front inside of the lining and line up the top edges and the

 side seam allowance.

Pin into place and stitch all the way 

around the top edges.

Like this.

Remember the opening in the lining?...

it's time to pull the 

front of the bag through it...

Like this.

Now both front and lining are sewn together 

at the top and both are turned 

right side out like this.

Now top stitch the opening in 

the lining closed...

Like this.

As I said before, your front and lining are sewn together at the top...

now push the lining inside of the

 bag front until they both lay 

as flat as possible and 

give your bag a nice press. 

To form your casing for the tie...

sew a line 1 1/2" down from the top...

and then another line 2 3/4" from the top.

You will have a casing that 

measures 1 1/4" wide..

and a finished opening in the 

 bag front for the tie!

Fold your 2 1/2" x 44" strip of fabric

 with right sides together and 

stitch down the side with 

a 1/4" seam allowance.

Use your favorite turning method and

 turn it right side out...

for this one I used the

 tried and true 

safety pin method 

that my mom taught me:)

After turning...

give it a nice press and 

tuck the seam allowance inside on

 each end and topstitch closed.

 I used the safety pin again 

to thread 

my tie thru the casing.

Lay your bag out flat until the end

 of the ties are even...

And stitch a small zigzag back and forth

 a few times over the center of 

the tie inside the casing 

so that it won't come out!

The tie is long enough to tie a cute bow:)

Your bag is ready for travel...

or gift giving:)

I think I'll make a few of these 

for

 my mom for Mother's Day 

and fill 

them with something fun!

I wanted to show you one of the bags

 that I made using my fabric that 

looks like it's already been pieced...

but it wasn't...it just comes off the bolt 

that way!...that's how I designed it:)

I have made several of these bags already and I have even more cut out and ready to go.

I hope you all enjoyed my latest tutorial...

and until next time...

have a quilty kind of day!!!

xx

Lori