How to make a simple bag

Hiya, I've been a bit naughty today, skiving off, watching tele on the computer. I had to watch last nights Super Scrimpers Christmas Edition. I must say I found it a bit boring, probably because I don't go in for all that mularkey, I actually started to nod off before it finished. I've just watched the second episode of the young Brits going to live with the Amish, now that's worth watching, very interesting. And the third programme was about two friends who packed in their jobs and opened a Real Burger bar, also very interesting. I like anything to do with business startups.

I would like to say thank you to Kate G, who has sent me a pressie. You may remember Kate gave me a bed for the night when I did the long walk, I also met her in Perth when I was on holiday. I wonder if I could open the pressie, or should I keep it for the 25th? I am hopeless at waiting, I usually give in :o) How lovely of her to think of me.

I knocked up this bag which is quite easy to make. The fabric has a rubbery backing on it, not sure what it is normally used for as I got it from the Scrapstore. Cut two pieces, about 17inches square, and round the bottom corners. You can make it any size you like, perhaps use an old bag as a pattern.

Then put four darts along the top edge, evenly spaced out, four inched long.

The top of the bag is gathered in.

Then using it as a pattern cut two pieces of plain fabric for the lining. Mine is actually black, cut from a bed sheet. At this stage I made a little pocket for a mobile phone, which I stitched onto it a few inches from the top. Machine the two pieces of lining together.

Then make the handles. Two strips four inches wide or five inches if you want wider handles, and 34 inches long.

Fold each one like this.

And machine along the edge.

Join the two pieces together inside out and turn the right way.

Put the lining inside and turn over the top edge, pin bag to lining. Insert the handles between the two layers, two inches from the edge, making sure that the handle seams match up and they are both the same length.

Machine around the top edge.

I did two rows which make the handles stronger.

A bag to chuck over your shoulder. I thought I had some black velcro to put along the top, but I haven't. Doesn't really need it if you hold your bag at the front of your body and not sling it round the back. You could put a zip in it if you want to make it secure. If you are going to put embelishments on it you need to do that before you sew it together.

Two I made earlier. They were on sale at the Arts Centre but I have taken my bags out of there because they don't get the footfall through the door.

You can use any bag as a template to make another, bigger, smaller, short handle long handle. Whatever you fancy really. Toodle pip.