Tutorials « Show Your Workings

Tutorials

February 28, 2008 by littlegemsession

Tutorial One: Japanese Knot bag

(fully reversible) The Pdf files for the pattern pieces are below the images. The bag is designed to be cut out of 2 Fat Quarters, you may want to use interfacing between the layers but I have made lots of bags without. The instructions are below the first image, images for each step will be posted the next time I make a bag. This is my first tut, so I hope you can follow it happy sewing! Not for commercial use, thanks.

Instructions:

Step 1

Print out the pdf files, Tape together Piece 1 and Piece 2. This creates your main pattern piece. Cut around the main pattern piece and the base pattern piece. You now have 2 pattern pieces ready to go.

Step two

Choose the fabric for the outside of the bag, pin on the pattern and cut. Repeat for the inner fabric/lining and interfacing (interfacing is not necessary if you don’t want to use it).
You need to cut 2 pieces of outer fabric and two pieces of lining from the main pattern piece. You need 1 piece of each fabric for the base. If you want a very firm base you can either put in interfacing or cardboard.

Step three

Take the 2 main pattern pieces of outer fabric and place them together right sides facing. Mark with chalk or pencil on the fabric at the point of the join in the paper pattern. This is the point you will sew to on the side seams, sew from the bottom up to the marked point on each side. Repeat for the lining.

Step four

Take your base pieces, you may want to contrast the base by swapping around the lining and outer fabric. Pin the base to main body and sew around, repeat for lining. You should now have two pieces that look like bags without the handles joined.

Step five

Slip the outer fabric bag into the lining with the right sides facing, sew the outer fabric and the lining together along the sides of the handles, leave the tops of the handles unsewn. Turn the bag right-side out through the top of one handle.

Step six

right sides together, sew the tops of the handle together for the lining only on each handle. Press the bag and the tops of handle of the outer fabric ready to finish. Hand stitch to close.

Enjoy!

Knot Bag pdf 1

knotbag2.pdf

knotbag3.pdf

25 Responses to “Tutorials”

on March 8, 2008 at 10:50 am1 Adrienne

ohhh…just found you on flicker. Looking forward to this!
on March 10, 2008 at 4:19 pm2 Homemadeoriginals

This looks great. I’m saving it for later so I can make one.
on March 10, 2008 at 11:02 pm3 viviane

Great tutorial, thank you, I saw these cute bags somewhere and I wanted to make one.
The fabric you use is lovely. I love japanese stuffs.
(I discovered your blog through flickr).
on March 11, 2008 at 5:58 am4 TexasTesla

Neat idea!
on March 12, 2008 at 6:15 am5 AnnieB

hi helen - just found you on flickr too…stopped by to say hello. Nice bag. WOuld love to visit NZ some time…lucky you living there. Bye for now.
on March 13, 2008 at 2:38 am6 simonJester

I saw your link on Flickr, I can’t wait to make this! It looks like fun. I like your necklace, too☺
on March 13, 2008 at 1:55 pm7 Adrienne

Thank you so much for getting in touch and letting me know this was up and running! I can’t wait to make it … consider it added to my to-sew list
on March 15, 2008 at 9:36 pm8 Anat

This is fabulous! I just made one, just what I was looking for, thank you!
on March 15, 2008 at 9:38 pm9 littlegemsession

I’d love to see a pic!
on March 16, 2008 at 7:11 am10 Anat

I have a post about it in my blog accompanied by a picture, with a link to this tutorial, thanks again (-:
http://adcreates.blogspot.com/
on March 16, 2008 at 9:20 pm11 Michal

Thanks for sharing this beautiful bag! I made one 2 days ago and it’s great!
on March 17, 2008 at 2:51 am12 Ashleigh

Love it! I’m getting ready to sew it up right now. I’ll post a pic when i’m done. I love Tut’s using fat quarters!
on March 21, 2008 at 4:19 am13 jenclair

Thanks so much for sharing!
on March 25, 2008 at 12:22 am14 miri

I just made one
tnx
miri
from Israel
on March 26, 2008 at 9:01 am15 wondermommy

Thank you so much, such a cute bag. I can’t wait to make one of these.
on March 26, 2008 at 9:13 am16 sew-funky

Wow! They look great!!!
on April 12, 2008 at 4:56 am17 carrotflowers » Blog Archive » another tute found: Japanese knot bag

[...] I don’t know if I would ever use one, but it is pretty and would probably make a lovely gift. Link here. [...]
on April 14, 2008 at 10:33 pm18 Carmen

Lovely! This is where my sewing endeavours will start! x
on May 16, 2008 at 1:57 am19 June

Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial with us. I’ve made a Japanese Knot Bag using your instructions and have posted the result on my blog today. It’s going to be my thank-you gift for one of my readers as today’s post is my 200th. Your project is such a delight!
on May 16, 2008 at 7:17 am20 Sharon

I just found you on flickr too. I love your bags. Thanks so much for the tutorial. I can’t wait to try one.
on May 16, 2008 at 10:02 am21 Miss Sassy

Junie Moon sent me here. I love your tutorial. Thanks!
on May 17, 2008 at 9:37 am22 Crystal

Thanks for sharing this sweet bag ~ just posted the one I amde on my blog
crystal
on May 17, 2008 at 11:59 am23 Kim Campbell

I love your blog! Found it through Junie Moon.
on May 17, 2008 at 2:20 pm24 Deb

Thank you, Helen, I can’t wait to try this very cute bag!
Deb
on May 17, 2008 at 3:06 pm25 littlegemsession

Thanks so much ladies hope you enjoy