This is the first of many blog tutorials that I will post every other friday. This tutorial, and the following tutorial (to be posted on January 29, 2010,) will be two lessons to be used for an upcomming tutorial. This tutorial will be "The Slit Pocket", the next tutorial will be "Creating a Bottom", and the thrid tutorial will be "The Easy Tote Bag". In "The Easy Tote Bag" you will use the first two tutorials to complete the bag.
THE SLIT POCKET TUTORIAL
(tutorial intended to be done with sewing machine but could be hand sewn)
Materials:
Outer Fabric (One 8 1/2" x 11" piece)
Lining Fabric (Two 5" x 7" pieces)
Coordinating Thread
Zipper (One 5" zipper, if you want pocket to zip, not need for regular slit pocket)
*Pocket can be any size, tutorial is for familiar sizes of 8 1/2" x 11" and 5" x 7"
1. Cut outer fabric to one 8 1/2" x 11" piece. Lay horizontally (technically 11" x 8 1/2") on workspace right side up.
2. Cut lining fabric to two 5" x 7" pieces. Lay one of the pieces horizontally right side down on top of outer fabric piece. Allign 5" x 7" piece so sides run parallel with 8 1/2" x 11" piece.
3. Pin fabrics together. Using a pen, draw a rectangle near the top of the 5" x 7" piece. Rectangle should be atleas one inch from either side of the fabric and one inch from the top. If you are putting in a zipper, make the rectangle wide enough to accomodate the width of the zipper. This rectangle will be the opening to the slit pocket, size accordingly.
4. Draw a line (left to right)through the middle of the rectangle. On each end of the rectangle and from that line, draw 2 short lines meeting the corners of the rectangle.
5. Sew around the rectangle. Remember to backstich for added strength.
6. Cut along the center line drawn in the rectangle, end cut where the triangles are drawn. Cut the short lines creating the triangle. Do not cut up to the stitches, stay 1-2 stitch lengths away from the stitches.
7. Place hand beneath all fabrics. Reach hand through the slit (hand is coming towards you) and grab the lining fabric (5" x 7"). Pull back through the slit and iron flat.
8. If you are not putting in a zipper, advance to step 10. Allign zipper in the rectangle slit behind both fabrics. Pin or tape zipper securely into place. (I do both.)
9. Sew around zipper approximately 1/4" from the edge of the rectangle. If 1/4" is to wide and will not catch the zipper, reduce margin. Backstitch for strength.
10. Turn fabric over so lining fabric is on top. Pin the 5" x 7" fabric to the remaining piece of 5" x 7" fabric (right sides together).
11. Without sewing through the outer fabric, sew the two lining fabric pieces together.
12. Turn piece around, you're done!
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