Supplies and preparation

A cross-stitch motif on Aida canvas.
Blue Aida canvas, colour DMC 796, measuring 1.40 x 80 cm.
A piece of fusible fabric measuring 25 cm x 25 cm.
A reel of thread in a colour matching the canvas.
A reel of basting thread.
Pins. A needle. A safety pin. A pair of scissors. A sewing machine. A tape measure.

Size of finished bag: 32 cm x 40 cm

Preparing the different pieces of fabric

Cut a circle out of the fabric, 21 cm in diameter, for the bottom, and overcast all round.
Cut a rectangle measuring 45 cm x 64 cm, for the side of the bag, and overcast all round.
Cut a band 8 cm wide and 1.50 m long, and overcast by machine all round.

Preparing the cross-stitch motif

Centre the cross-stitch motif in a rectangle measuring 27cm x 22cm.
Trim the excess fabric and overcast all round. Fold a hem 1.5 cm wide over the back of the four sides and flatten the pleats with an iron (see diagram).
Cut a rectangle measuring 19 cm x 24 cm out of the fusible fabric. Place it on the back of the cross-stitch motif under the folded edges, with the sticky side against the fabric, and seal with an iron

Applying the cross-stitch motif

Work on the face.
Place the cross-stitch motif on the blue fabric 10 cm from the lower edge and well in the centre of the 66 cm width, and then pin it, making sure that the 1.5 cm hems are carefully folded over the back.
Machine stitch the motif, making a straight seam all round, 3 mm from the edge (see diagram).

Seam for the side of the bag

Work on the reverse side.
Fold the fabric in two, face to face, along the 66 cm width, and then make a straight seam 1 cm from the edge, stopping 8 cm from the upper edge of the bag (see diagram).

The bag opening

Open the seam along the top and mark the pleats on each side of the slits of 8 cm by ironing them at the back (see diagram).
At the top of the bag, machine stitch a straight seam 4 mm from each pleat, to keep the edges of the slit in place.

Upper edge

At the top of the cylinder that has been made in this way, fold 1 cm over the back, and flatten with an iron. Still working at the back, fold over 4 cm, and flatten the new pleat with an iron.
Pin and machine stitch a straight seam 5 mm from the bottom of the hem on the first 1 cm pleat already formed. Use the free arm of the sewing machine to place the cylinder so that it can be sewn completely flat (see diagram).

The straps

Take the band measuring 8 cm x 1.50 m long.
Iron along the length, folding it in two down the middle (see diagram).
Open the band, and then fold the edges over the central pleat to obtain a band 4 cm wide. Iron to flatten the pleats. You will now have a band 2 cm wide. Machine stitch the 4 layers of fabric 3 mm from the edge.

Inserting the straps

With the help of a safety pin, slip the band through the top hem and equalise its length (see diagram). Pull to adjust the straps to the desired length, if necessary. Cut off any excess fabric.

Inserting the straps (contd)

Turn the bag inside out and place the straps inside the bag making sure they are completely flat. Put the two ends of the straps on top of each other over half the width, and then pin them on the side seam at the bottom of the bag. Baste to hold in place.

Preparing the bottom

Take the already cut circle, fold it in four along the diameter and insert a pin to mark the edge of each pleat.
Take the body of the bag and fold it in four at the base, and again insert a pin to mark the edge of each pleat.

Mounting the bottom

To match the four marked points, start by pinning them and then gradually the edge of the circle to the edge of the bag bottom. Baste 1 cm from the edge.
Machine stitch a straight seam 1 cm from the edge. Once the straps are sewn, they will be secured between the bottom and the side.
Stop and tuck in the threads. Turn the bag the right side out and iron.