Welcome back! If you missed Day 1, check it out here.  Yesterday we did all the prep work, and today we’ll do what I call “the fussy work,” leaving the assembly of the bag for tomorrow. A note about this sew-along: the pattern is written wonderfully, so feel free to refer to it as we go along. Let’s get sewing!

The pattern gives directions to make the strap by turning a tube and topstitching, but I prefer a method I learned in a different Noodlehead pattern. I’m going to use the size of the straps already stated in the pattern, but feel free to alter your strap size. I use 2 different fabrics for each strap. I start by placing one set of straps right sides together and sewing along the long edge. Then press seam to one side, and fold and press each long raw edge into center crease, then bring folded edges together. Topstitch along long edge where folds meet, then topstitch along other long edge. Repeat with remaining set of straps. Set aside.

As mentioned in Day 1, I like my pockets to be fully lined. I’ll start by inserting a magnetic snap into the lining of my pocket. I folded my pocket in half to find the center, then marked a dot 2″ from the top raw edge of the pocket lining to mark my snap. I like to use my seam ripper to cut the slots for my magnetic snap; just go slowly when you’re cutting, making sure the hole isn’t too big. I also used a scrap of stabilizer on the wrong side of my pocket lining to help secure my snap and make sure it doesn’t rip through the fabric when being used. I added the male half to the pocket and will add the female half to the front of the bag later. 

If you want to add piping to the pocket, add it now, by matching the raw edges of the piping to the top raw edge on the right side of the pocket front. If you’ve never tried piping before, this is a great time to give it a go! It’s just one straight line, so as far as piping goes, it doesn’t get any easier than this. Place the pocket front and lining pieces right sides together and sew along the top (as close to the piping as you can if you added it). Turn right sides out, press and topstitch.  Set aside.

Since my interior pockets are fully lined, I start by sewing both pieces right sides together, turning, pressing and topstitching. Then I add another row of stitching 1/2″ away from the previous toptstitch, to create a casing for my elastic. Feed the elastic through, secure with zigzag stitch on both ends. Baste bottom of pocket pieces together and gather until the pocket is the same width as the lining pattern piece B. Baste pocket to lining along side and bottom. Sew vertical line in center of pocket as divider. Repeat with remaining pocket pieces and elastic.

This part is optional, but I highly recommend it. I think zippers give bags a much more finished look. Take your recessed zipper panel and fold in all edges 1/4″, wrong sides facing. I use my metal gauge for this step – just make sure you don’t touch it, because the iron heats it up pretty quickly! Once all your sides are folded in, fold the piece in half lengthwise (like a hotdog) and press again. Now open up one crease on a long edge and match the raw edge to  one long edge of the underside of your zipper tape, pin or clip, then sew along crease. Now flip zipper over and fold panel back, then topstitch along short sides and long side closest to zipper, leaving folded edge unstitched. Repeat with remaining panel and other side of zipper. I will be adding metal zipper tabs to my bag as the final step, but if you’re using fabric tabs, add them now as directed in pattern.

Place straps on Exterior B centered and 4.5″ apart, then pin in place. Then place Exterior A right sides together on Exterior B, matching long raw edge of A with top raw edge of B. Sew in place, securing straps as well. Lift Exterior A, press seam allowance down and top stitch along top of Exterior B. See diagram in pattern for stitching placement to further secure straps. Repeat above for remaining Exterior A, B and strap. Baste assembled pocket onto front Exterior A/B assembly along sides and bottom (curve) of pocket. At this point, you can find the perfect placement for the other half the magnetic snap, and install it, again using a piece of scrap stabilizer on the wrong side of the bag front.

That’s plenty for today. Come back tomorrow when we’ll complete the bag!