StichnSew a Beautiful Topiary Bag

Hi, it’s Amy here today sharing a project featuring my original paper pieced Topiary block design and the Topiary fabric collection by Amanda Murphy for Blend Fabrics.

In order to make this project, you will need to purchase my Topiary pattern which you can find either in my Etsy shop or Craftsy shop.

Fabric requirements:
1 yard each for bag body and lining
1/2 yard for handles
FQ each for prints used in paper pieced block
StitchNSew™ EZ Quilt Block Sheets
HeatnBond® NonWoven Craft Fusible Firm
StitchNSew™ Non Woven Craft Sew in Extra Firm

To begin, paper piece the Topiary block, printing the pattern on the StitchNSew™ EZ Quilt Block Sheets. Square up the block. It should measure 10 1/2″ unfinished. Cut strips measuring 1″ wide and create a border around the block. Next, using the fabric with the topiary print and being mindful of the direction of the print, add borders cut to 4 1/2″ wide on either side of the block, 4″ high above the block, and 7″ high below the block.

Use this finished bag front as your pattern piece and cut another for the bag backing, two for the lining (I used the Topiary print with the garden furniture), and two from the StitchNSew™ Non Woven Craft Sew in Extra Firm interfacing.

Place one piece of the interfacing on your surface, on top of it place the bag backing with the right side up, then the bag front with the right side down, and top with another piece of interfacing. Stitch around the sides and bottoms with a 1/2″ seam. Trim to 1/4″.   In a similar manner, with right sides together, stitch around the bag lining but this time, leave an opening in the bottom for turning.  Trim seams.

To create the gussets in both the lining and the bag exterior, pinch the corners as shown in this image and measure in 2″ from the tip and cut.  Stitch with 1/4″ seam.

With right sides together, place bag lining inside the bag exterior.  Pin around the top.  Set aside and make the straps.

To make the bag straps, cut two strips measuring 4″ x 28″.  Also cut two strips of the HeatnBond® NonWoven Craft Fusible Firm measuring 2″ x 28″ and fuse on the wrong side of the strap in the center.  See the bottom part of the image above.  Next, press a crease down the center of the strap and press the edges in to that center crease to create a 1″ wide strap as shown in the upper part of this image.

Edge stitch along outer edges of both straps.

Measure in 5″ from the outer seam and pin straps in place between the lining and bag exterior.  Then stitch around the upper edge of the bag.  Turn through the opening in the lining.  Edgestitch the upper edge of the bag.  Handstitch the opening closed.

Your bag is ready to fill with everything you need for a spring outing!

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This is our final week of National Craft Month Sales! This week is the perfect time for your to try our Glitter Dust™ Sprays and our Sew-In Interfacings!!

Just a reminder…we have this fantastic giveaway for this beautiful Floral Frenzy Cuddle Quilt Kit from our friends at Shannon Fabrics!

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Plus you can STILL enter to win the Oliso Iron and our Adhesive giveaway as well! Don’t miss out! a Rafflecopter giveawaya Rafflecopter giveawayAnd to finish off National Craft Month we have one more giveaway for our NEW HeatnBond® EZ Print Sheets and Pressing Paper! Enter to win an assortment of them! You’ll love them..that we know! a Rafflecopter giveaway