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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Snap Shut Bag Tutorial

I'm going to give it a try anyway. So here goes:

I layered and quilted a piece I wanted for the front and back, and a piece of batting. This one I cut to 5x8". You can make these any size you want.


Cut 2 pieces of fabric for the casings, 3 1/2" wide.

Lay those pieces at both ends of lining side of quilted piece, right side down.

Sew both in place using 1/2" seam.

Press away from body.

Turn piece over and fold edges down to meet edge of body, press.
 Using 2 squares of fabric, fold each in half and press.


Then fold edges to middle to make 2 prairie points. (You can make tabs, or use other shapes for these, they are what you pull to open purse.)

Place the prairie points about 1/4" below the half inch seam from the casings.

 Then fold casing over to cover edge of prairie point and secure.

Of course, do both sides.
Topstitch casings catching top of prairie points.


 Trim excess at sides.

Using very old scissors and a 3/4" metal tape measure, cut 2 pieces of the metal to about 3/4" shorter that width of casing.


Round off the edges and cover with small pieces of tape to make sure they don't rip your fabric.

Slip them into the casings with the numbers facing the lining side.

Fold up RST and stitch up sides of bag using 1/4" seam.

Make sure metal tape is far enough in from your needle. I have it sticking out one side as I sew up the first seam, then push it in as far as it will go when sewing the other side.

Finish seam using serger or zig zag stitch. ( I sure wish I had a serger...)


Turn inside out.

And you have a snap shut bag!!! Easy peasy.


You can embellish all you want, and a nice little handle is cute too.

There are many ways to make these bags, but I just hate to use interfacing and make separate linings, so I found this pretty easy.

Took all of about 20 minutes once you have your fabric ready. Purchased pre- quilted stuff works just as well, but it's cheaper to make your own using all of these small pieces of scraps.

WilmaNC

16 COMMENT:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Thank you Wilma - makes perfect sense to 'simplify' a small bag like this. I hate fiddly on small items.

Roma said...

Looks good sister.. Now I will have to try one. But I must get a metal tapemeasure first !!

Cheryl Warren said...

whoo hoo! I've been fascinated by this ever since I heard about them and am going to make some soon! I hear the dollar store has the metal tapes. Can you say "Christmas presents"?
thanks for the tutorial, it's very clear

Unknown said...

Well Wilma, you little devil, who knew you had it in you?? LOL
Love this, and I'm trying to make some things for the Guild show boutique. I've got some prequilted scraps too....guess what I'm making tonight.
Thanks a lot
your quilting bee friend
Ruth

Belinda said...

That is the coolest thing EVAH!!

Miss Hillbilly said...

And here I just went a bought a pattern for this. I should have waited!

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

You made it look so easy, thanks. The problem is that now I have *another* project I want to try, and not enough hours in the day, LOL

Lucy said...

Wilma,You have such talent I wanted to try and make them snap bags and here your sister made me 3 beautiful ones. You and Pat can put differnt material together so it looks great.Maybe I will try and follow your instructions and learn how to do it.Thanks for sharing.

Dianne Mitzel said...

just found your blog! love the little bag, have been wanting to try this, and you explained it so perfectly..thanks so much! I live in N.C. also, my sister lives near Boone in Elk Park..

Vesuviusmama said...

YES! I have been wanting to make one of these, but unsure how. I'm going to make one RIGHT NOW! Thanks!

Vesuviusmama said...

I just made one, and I love it! Your instructions are wonderful! I'm going to put it in my purse now.

Vesuviusmama said...

I just another one for a friend, and I'll be making more for stocking stutters - awesome tutorial!

Anonymous said...

A bit late but just found this on web search. You don't need a serger. Make the sides wider and when you turn bag inside out sew another seam 1/4 from first one, of course you need to trim first seam allowance. the second seam fully encases the first one. A poor man's french seam.

Jane NJ

Unknown said...

Thank you. This is a fantastic tutorial.

Unknown said...

I teach ladies to sew. I wanted to teach this snap bag to them. I must have reviewed at least a dozen tutorials (they like printed pictures to help them remember how to do it again) and then I found yours. I made a copy for them with all your information on it so you get credit. (also so they can sign up for your blog emails)

Thank you for a clean and concise instructions for my new learners.

Thank you,
Vera

Unknown said...

I made this years ago, but in moving a lot I lost the directions. Your a life saver.They make great gifts Thank You