Welcome to Day 2 of the Hey Mercedes Sewalong. If you need to catch up, head over to Day 1 to get started. Here’s a recap of what the sewalong will look like:

• Day 1: Preparing the pattern, cutting the fabric and interfacing, and fusing the interfacing
• Day 2 (that’s today): Sewing handles and handle connectors, and creating pockets
• Day 3: Final assembly of bag

Please note: this sewalong is meant as an additional guide to the pattern instructions found in Windy City Bags; please read through pattern instructions in the book as well.

Making the handles for the bag is similar to making double fold bias binding. Start by taking one interfaced handle piece and fold in half, matching long sides, press in the centre, then unfold and bring those long, raw edges to meet in the centre, press in place, then fold again, matching long folded edges. Topstitch along both long edges about 1/8″ away from the edge. I like to increase my stitch length here for a smoother, neater look. Repeat with other handle to have 2 completed handles.

We’ll need 4 matching sets of handle extenders. Since you cut them in pairs, you should have 4 sets that match up quite well in mirror image. One you’ve paired them up, pin or use wonderclips to hold them sides together, and sew together, leaving the short straight edge unsewn. The book suggests that leaving a turning hole further up the curved edge may help turn the extender later, but I have a trick that will make turning these so easy, so just go ahead and see all the way around except the short straight edge at the bottom. You’ll want to follow the curve with your stitching, so take your time here. You may need to use smaller stitch lengths to get around corners nicely, and stop with your needle in the down position to lift your pressed foot and turn the fabric. Once you’ve sewn all 4 handle extenders, you’ll need to trim the seam allowance, and clip into the curves and notch around outer curves, as shown in the book. You could also just trim the seam allowance with pinking shears to speed this step up a bit. Watch this video to see how easy it is to turn the handle extenders. I used a spool of thread and a chopstick; you can use similar items from your sewing supplies too!