CONSTRUCTION:
Cut your main fabric pieces (1 and 2) and pin them to the wadding. Baste the fabric to the wadding and trim off the excess.
With RST, sew the strap (2) together and turn it out to the right side.
With RST, pin the zip to the top of one side of the main bag, matching the notches. Using the zipper foot on your sewing machine, sew the zip into place. Repeat with the other side. Pin the seams at the ends of the zips and sew. This seam should align with the zip seam for a nice finish.
Change back to your regular presser foot. Pin the right side of the lining to the wrong side of the zip tape, sew into place, sandwiching the zip in between. Sew the seams at the ends of the zip.
Working on the top of the zip opening, pin the fabric securely around the zip, ensuring the lining lies flat on the underside. Top stitch around the zip.
With RST and aligning the notches, baste the ends of the strap to the ends of the top of the bag.
Open the zip. With RST and aligning the notches, sew the bottom/curved edge of the main bag together. Clip the seam for a smooth curve. Repeat with the lining, and leave a gap in the lining seam for turning out.
Line up the top seam with the side seam of the main fabric, sandwiching the strap in between. Pin the lining here too, matching the seams. Sew into place. It’s very chunky here, so make sure to use a heavy-duty needle, and sew slowly with some extra help from your hand wheel.
Turn the bag through the gap in the lining and neatly hand sew the gap closed. Turn the bag the right way round, trim off any loose threads and enjoy your super cute bag!
INVISIBLE ZIP OPTION:
Follow Steps 1 to 8 as above, excluding the wadding.
