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FASHION DIVA'S Lunch Bag and Clutch Purse

Go "green" and make a colorful, recyclable lunch bag. Or better yet, have fun making multiple lunch bag-shaped, stylish clutch purses to complement your favorite daytime and evening fashions.

FINISHED SIZE:
OPEN:  11 1/2 " high  X  7 1/4" wide  X  5" deep
CLOSED:  9" high  X  7 1/4" wide  X  5" deep

FABRICS: For a practical lunch bag, we began with 48" wide Oilcloth. But you can use your imagination and try any firmly woven fabric in 36" to 60" width. Enjoy endless options combining funky patterns of oilcloth or a single elegant embroidered silk satin, denim, firm wool coating or melton, printed canvas, tapestry, faux leather, metallic lame, lace overlays, etc.

MATERIAL AND CUTTING: (Amounts are separate for each piece to allow for combining fabrics.)

• 1/4 yd fabric for body of bag, cut cross-grain into one 8" X 28 1/2 " rectangle
• 1/4 yd fabric for side panels of bag, cut cross-grain into two 5 1/2" X 12" rectangles.
• 1" X 2" piece of sew-on Velcro® (hook and loop tape) for closure

MARKING: (You will be using a 1/4" seam allowance)

Body: On both long side edges of body piece, make one dot on the 1/4" seam line at 11 3/4" in from each end. Clip seam allowance almost to dots. (Clipping done before sewing makes pinning and sewing easier.) (See fig. 1)

Side Panels: On one short end of each side panel, make a dot on the 1/4" stitching line, at the bottom of the panel, 1/4" in from each side. (See fig. 2)

Velcro®: Stitch on to the right side of the body fabric. Center and stitch the 2" hook (rough) piece, placed 1" in from the cut edge of one short end of the body piece. On the opposite end of the body piece, center and stitch the 2" loop (soft) piece, placed 4" from the cut edge.

CONSTRUCTION OF BAG: Use a 1/4" seam allowance.

1. Right sides together, matching bottom dots and top edges, pin the two sides and bottom edge of one side panel to body piece. Place pins in seam allowance ONLY. Machine stitch, pivoting at dots. Repeat for the other side panel. (See fig. 3)

2. Turn bag right side out, pushing out corners carefully. Turn down top of bag 1/2" and topstitch 1/4" from folded edge.

3. Wrong sides together, edge stitch 1/8" around all edges of side panels to reinforce the shape.

4. At the top of bag, tuck in top of side panels to form a gusset (or inverted pleat)). Fold down top of bag twice toward the soft Velcro® closure, until it meets and fastens.

OPTIONS: Any firm fabric. Lining. Shoulder strap, chain or handle.

Trimming / Embellishments: Beads, braid, embroidery, appliqué, ribbon. Most embellishments should be done on flat pieces before assembly.

Closure options: Button / toggle and loop, magnetic snaps.

Click here to view and print project diagram.
Diagram is not drawn to scale (if using our diagram as the master pattern, you will need to bring the print-out to a professional photocopier and enlarge template.)