Project of the Month 

Accessory Bag

Supplies Required:

• 9 ½” x 22″ Solid color (top layer)
• 12″ x 22″ Print (lining)
• 9 ½” x 22″ Cotton batting
• Assorted contrasting embroidery threads
• Twin Needles – 2.0mm – 4.0mm – 6.0mm
• Large button

Machine Accessories:

• Any sewing machine with decorative stitches
• Regular Sewing Foot
• Satin Stitch Foot
• Automatic Buttonhole foot
• Button sewing foot
• Beading foot
• Ditch/Topstitch sewing foot

Additional Sewing Supplies:

• Chalk marker
• Ruler
• Straight pins
• Scissors

Sewing Instructions:

1.  Divide the top fabric into thirds by folding the fabric. Mark the stitching lines on the fabric. Mark your lines the same as the illustration or be creative and mark your own patterns. Keep the designs simple by using straight lines or subtle curves.

2.  Layer the top fabric over the batting and pin into place.

3.  Insert a 4.0mm or 6.0mm twin needle into your sewing machine. Thread the machine with 2 different colors of embroidery thread, using the extra spool pin that comes with your machine for the second thread spool.

Tip:  Thread one thread spool at a time, following the same thread paths for both threads. When you reach the thread guides above the needle, place one thread into the right thread guide a  nd the other thread in the left thread guide.

4.  Attach the beading foot to your sewing machine. This foot will create the Trapunto effect by allowing the batting to rise up in the deep groove of the foot.

5.  Select straight stitch. Increase the stitch length to 3.0mm. Stitch on all marked lines.

6.  For added effects sew two lines next to each other.

7.  Change to the 2.0mm twin needle. Select a simple decorative stitch, such as a feather stitch.

Adjust the width to 2.5mm.

Caution:   If you have a twin needle guard function on your machine that stops you from selecting a stitch that will not work with a twin needle, engage this before stitching. If not, you will need to test the width of the stitch before sewing by turning the hand wheel by hand through the entire decorative stitch to ensure that the needle will not hit the side of the presser foot or throat plate.

8.  Sew another row of decorative stitches beside the previously sewn lines.

Attaching the Lining:

1. Attach the regular sewing foot.

2.  Place the lining fabric and the stitched fabric, right sides together, matching the long edges. The lining fabric is larger in width. NOTE: The lining fabric creates a border along the front edges when turned right side out.

3.  Sew along the 2 long sides. You will have excess lining fabric in the center.

4.  Lay the two pieces on a flat surface with the stitched fabric (front of bag) facingup (do not turn right side out yet). Adjust the lining fabric so that it lies flat, having the excess fabric evenly spaced on each long edge.

5.  Sew across the top edge. Then sew an angle or curve at each of the top

corners.  Do not stitch the opposite short end yet.

6.  Turn right side out. Lightly press the outside edges.

7.  Fold in the raw edges of the unsewn short edge to finish. Use any stitch to close opening or hand stitch opening closed.

8.  Sew a buttonhole in the middle of the curved side.

9.  Fold up the bottom third so that the edges are even with the front section. Pin in place.

10.  Attach the ditch/topstitch foot. Select a decorative stitch such as a feather stitch or blanket stitch and sew down both edges, in the “ditch” between the top fabric and the lining to keep all layers together.

11.  Attach the button sewing foot and sew a button on the front side.