Sew a Charlie Bag with Bias and French Seams (5006 Views)

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  Step 1 of 14

  1. Cut bias. For the inner part of the handles, 2 pieces of 27 inch long and 1 3/4 inch wide. For the long outer edge of the bag, 55 inch by 1 � inch. See how to Make Long Bias Strips out of shorter strips.
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  Step 2 of 14

  First, sew bias to the inside curve of the handle, right sides facing, at � inch.

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  Step 3 of 14

  Turn over, fold edges of bias to meet, iron flat.

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  Step 4 of 14

  Fold bias one more time to the wrong side, iron flat.

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  Step 5 of 14

  Topstitch the bias, catching the back.
  

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  Step 6 of 14

  Sew the tops of the handles to each other (the handles from on pattern piece attach to themselves, not to the handles on the other pattern piece, I’ve messed this up many times and don’t want you to, also!). Sew handle tops using a Felled Seam for Jeans. Repeat on other side.

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  Step 7 of 14

  Finish short edges of the little pouch by folding twice and topstitching. We are using French seams here: Fold at notches, sew at � inch with wrong sides facing.
  

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  Step 8 of 14

  Turn, neaten edges if necessary, and sew at 3/8 inch with right sides facing.
  

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  Step 9 of 14

  Sew one side seam: Wrong sides facing, with the pouch sandwiched between two sides in accordance with the notches. Make sure the folded part of the pouch is at the seam and the open part of the pouch goes toward the center of the bag. Sew at � inch.

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  Step 10 of 14

  Turn so right sides are facing, sew at 3/8 inch.

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  Step 11 of 14

  Sew long piece of bias to the long outer edge of the handles the same way we did the inner handles: sew right sides facing, turn and iron, topstitch.

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  Step 12 of 14

  Sew second side seam as we sewed the first side seam: Sew wrong sides facing at 1/4 inch, turn so right sides are facing, sew at 3/8 inch.

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  Step 13 of 14

  Bottom: with wrong sides facing, fold in at notches, sew at ¼ inch, turn, and sew at 3/8 inch.

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  Step 14 of 14

  Now go save the world with your reusable nonplastic beautiful bag!