I know this is a handmade gift series but Char from Crap I've Made shows how to make a simple and cool laptop sleeve that I must make for myself! It would make a great gift too! Don't miss all the lovely  things (crap) she makes on her blog!

Char writes...

I’m Char from Crap I’ve Made. I don’t like pudding or hugging. I love Diet Coke and naps. I readily admit to fake crying in an attempt to get out of sewing class in the 9th grade. My teacher didn’t buy it, and the rest is history. And, I’m thrilled to be here participating in the Holiday Bake, Craft, & Sew Along.

Here’s my tutorial for a zippered laptop sleeve. Since it’s measurement based, you could adapt it to fit an iPad or other electronic gadget, too.

How to Make a Zippered Laptop Sleeve

Supplies:
Outer fabric
Lining fabric
Fusible fleece
Zipper (approximately 4” longer than your laptop)
Embellishments

Measure your laptop, wrapping your tape measure all the way around.

Mine measures 18.5” X 24.5”. (Yes, it’s tiny.)

Split both of those measurements in half. In my example, that would be 9.25” X 12.25”. Add 1.25” to both of those measurements. In my example that’s 10.5” X 13.5”. We’re finished with the math. Cut 2 pieces from your outer fabric this size. Cut 2 pieces from your lining fabric this size. Cut 2 pieces of fusible fleece this size. I then trimmed 1/2” off all around my fusible fleece because I didn’t want the bulk in my seams.

Embellish one of your exterior pieces as desired now. I’m including directions for exactly how I made mine, but feel free to change that up to personalize your laptop sleeve.

Cut a strip of fabric 3.5” wide and then press under 1/4” on the top and bottom edges.

Position on the front of your laptop sleeve and stitch in place along both edges.

Cut a strip of fabric 3” high by at least twice the width of your laptop case. Fold under 1/2” on both long edges and press.

Run a long gathering stitch (do not backstitch) about 1/4” in along both long edges. Pull your bobbin threads to gather evenly. Position in the middle of the larger strip and stitch in place.

(I made the decorative flower using these directions on WiseCraft. It’s attached to a pin and is removable so you won’t see it until the final pictures.)

Iron your fusible fleece to the wrong sides of both pieces of outer fabric, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Take your zipper and place it face down and centered along the top edge of your front piece. You should have excess zipper on both ends.

Pin the zipper in place in the center. In order to get the zipper to go around the corners nicely, you’re going to make a few shallow snips along the part you need to bend.

Keep on pinning around both corners. I like to use A LOT of pins.

Baste the zipper in place. I used white thread so it would show up better for photographic purposes.

Position your lining fabric directly on top of your front piece, right sides facing.

Sew just inside of your basting line. Turn your pieces right side out. Press your exterior and lining fabrics away from the zipper.

Close the zipper. Position your other exterior piece on top, so the sides are even. Slide it up until it’s even with the zipper and pin. Unzip and repeat the zipper installation steps for the back half of the case.

Here’s what you’ve got now…nice neat zipper and ugly unfinished seams everywhere else.

Pull your exterior fabrics over so the right sides are facing, like this:

Keep turning until you’ve got both exterior pieces facing and both lining pieces facing.

Don’t be alarmed by the hot mess it appears to be right now. You’re *almost* there!

Reach up between the exterior layers and undo the zipper a few inches (big enough to fit your hand through and reach to undo the zipper the rest of the way later).

You’re going to sew ONLY on the exterior pieces. Fold, pull, and otherwise maneuver the lining pieces out of the way. You’ll be sewing from one end of the zipper to the other.

In the above picture, you’d sew from one pin, down around the bottom edge and then up to the other pin.

Repeat with the lining pieces, BUT leave a 4-5” hole in the bottom (again, big enough to fit your hand through).

Stick your hand way up in there and grab the bottom seam on the exterior fabrics.

And pull it out through the hole.

Close up the hole in the lining. I usually pull it all the way out and machine stitch close to the edge, but you could hand stitch if you prefer.

Aaaaaaaaaaaand you’re done!

How To Make A Gathered Zippered Pouch

Materials needed:

• 1/4 yard each of three coordinating fabrics (you'll definitely have scraps leftover)
• 8" zipper (you can always purchase a longer zipper and shorten it, just follow the directions on the package
• scraps of medium weight fusible interfacing

Cutting the pieces:
For the main exterior, cut two pieces, one 5.5" tall by 9" wide, and one 5.5" tall by 13" wide (this will be the gathered front)
Pieces of medium weight fusible interfacing for exterior pieces of clutch: (2) 5.5" tall by 9" wide
For the front band, cut one piece 4" tall by 9" wide.
For the lining, cut two pieces 5.5" tall by 9" wide
For the zipper end covers: two pieces 1.5" tall by 2.5" wide.
Optional Parts:
For the divider pocket, cut one piece 8" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need at 4" x 9" piece)
For the card holders, cut one piece 7" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need at 3.5" x 9" piece)

Take the front band piece and fold it in half the long way (right sides together) and sew together using a 1/2" seam allowance.

Turn tube right side out and press with seam in the middle.  Set aside.

Grab the 13" wide main exterior piece.  Sew two lines of gathering stitches down the middle, about 1" apart.

Pull the top threads to gather, pull until the length is 9" long.  Press the gathers in place.

Take the front band and pin it in the middle of the exterior piece you just finished.

Top stitch along each side of the band.  Take the 5.5" tall by 9" interfacing piece and iron it to the WRONG side of the gathered piece.  This makes all the gathering and stitching stay in place nicely.  Set aside.

Make the divider pocket:

Fuse interfacing to half of the piece.

Fold fabric in half with WRONG sides together, press.  Topstitch along folded edge and then add another line of topstiching about 1/4" below the first line of topstitching.  Set aside.

Make the card holders:

Fuse interfacing to half of the piece.  Fold fabric in half with WRONG sides together, press.

Topstitch along folded edge and then add another line of topstiching about 1/8" below the first line of topstitching.

Take one piece of the lining fabric and line up the card holder with raw edges together, one on top of the other baste along side and bottom edged of card holder (the plaid fabric).

Grab your credit card or driver's license and mark with a pin how far you want your card to stick up from the slot.  Sew a line across the lining/card holder piece where you marked with the pin.  Sew one line of stitching down the center of the card holder.

Take your card again and mark with a pin where the edge of your card is (you can leave a little wiggle room, but it's nice to keep it pretty snug to hold your cards in place).  Sew a line for the side of the card, repeat for other side.  Now you should have two card holders!  Set aside.

Making the end tabs for the zipper:

Fold the piece of fabric in half width wise, turn down each raw edge to the center crease and press (the pic above doesn't show it pressed in far enough).  Repeat for other end tab.

Take your zipper and sandwich the fabric around the zipper, just poking over the little metal bits.

Topstitch a line straight across the zipper with a very small seam allowance being careful not to hit those metal parts!  Repeat for other end.  Trim the fabric tabs to the width of the zipper.  IMPORTANT!  The length of the zipper with the tabs on should measure about 8.5" end to end.

Baste the card holders to one piece of lining and the divider pocket to the other piece of  lining, aligning the raw edges at the bottom.

Almost done!

Assembling the clutch:

Place your gathered exterior piece RIGHT side up (whoops!, had it wrong in the pic, don't worry, just get out your seam ripper and start again).  Put the zipper teeth side down with the pull tab to the LEFT.  Then put the lining piece WRONG side up.  Pin in place.

Using your zipper foot sew along the edge of this zipper sandwich.  Flip pieces so the WRONG sides are together.

Grab the other exterior piece, place RIGHT side up.  Put the zipper teeth side down with the pull tab on the RIGHT this time. Place the remaining lining piece WRONG side up on top of the zipper.  Pin in place, sew.  Flip pieces so the WRONG side are facing eachother.  Press!

Put your regular sewing foot back on and sew a line of topstitching on either side of the zipper.

Now open your zipper about halfway, don't forget this! I actually forgot to do this on all three clutches, don't worry, you can still wiggle the zipper open if you carefully pull at it through the fabric.

Have a great Mother's Day!

** UPDATE**  Interior shots

interior card holders (2 - side by side)

interior pocket divider (it's the green polka dot fabric)

Click here to see all the handmade gift ideas in our Bake, Craft & Sew Along (updated daily).

Looking for beautiful fabrics to sew up your holiday gifts? Please check out my sponsor Maisonnette Designer Fabrics! --Beautiful site~

Makeup Brush Holder Tutorial

Think of this as your last minute gift idea, you could whip it up next Saturday right before Mothers Day. Seriously, this tutorial is so easy peasy, even if you are a beginner, you can do it in about an hour.

Materials needed:

• fabric 3 10x11inch pieces - contrasting, coordinating or all the same
• one piece for lining, one piece for the top + one piece for your brush pocket
• fusible interfacing 1 9.25x10.25 piece - whatever kind you have on hand
• ribbon 16-17 inches - or bias tape or whatever you have on hand

Start by ironing (fusing) your interfacing to the back of your lining piece.

Then iron your pocket piece in half lengthwise, it should now measure 5x11 inches.

Mark your pocket stitches. The big brushes need about 2 inches of pocket space + the little brushes need about 1 inch. Your pockets should vary depending on what kind of brushes you have.

Give yourself a 1/2 seam allowance on the ends when you mark, if you are doing a 2 inch pocket on the end, then mark your fist pocket at 2 1/2 inches, for the seam allowance. All other pockets mark true to size.

Sew your pockets to your lining.

You don't have to sew down the edges of the outside pockets, you can if you want, but I always leave mine open + sew them down when I sew the whole piece together.

Start with your top piece face up, place your ribbon or bias tape on either side of the top piece about 4 inches from the bottom.

Place your sewn lining + pockets face down on top of your top piece.

Pin your ribbon in place.

With a 1/2 inch seam allowance, stitch around the entire piece,

leaving a 3-4 inch opening at the top.

Turn right side out.

There are so many fancy corner poker outers that you can buy, but I always just use a chopstick.

Poke out your corners.

Tuck under your opening, making it flush

Iron your piece flat.

Use an 1/8 inch top-stitch. See where the seam riper is pointing? If you line your piece up with the inside of that feed dog, that will give you an 1/8 inch stitch.

Like so.

Stitch all the way around the piece.

Fold + iron down the top piece about 2 inches.

Stitch across the top of the folded down piece.

I also stitched one of the edges of the flap down to give it some structure, you can ignore this step or do it.

Now fill it with brushes + enjoy!

Or maybe if you don't have enough brushes, you should get some for Mothers Day so you can fill up your holder.

Make one + put it in a prominent place, leaving your husband a hint. Or if your like me, you could make one + hit your husband upside the head with it, for an even better hint.

Looking for more gift ideas? Look through the Handmade Gift Guide.

Still need more ideas? Be sure to check out all the Made By You Monday links below. Please share your tutorials and ideas for the perfect holiday gift!

Yesterday was Brian's sister- Melody's- birthday. She's currently in college. I remember as a college student I was always in need of pretty things. Pretty pillows, pretty sheets, pretty shower curtains, pretty plates, pretty glasses. SO, that's what I decided to get for her.

Seeing as it was too late to order something online, I thought the local Target might have something to that effect. To my delight they had some totally kitchy Orla Keily fruit tumblers online....online....being the keyword. Their in-store selection was quite another story all together.

Sure, they had kitch. They had kitch in every plastic form imaginable. But ask for a sea foam ceramic bowl or a flower patterned high ball glass, you'd be plum outta luck.

So disappointed, I found myself back at square one. Ugh. I had a couple hours to go until the party and didn't have a hallmark card to my name. Desperate, I went through my fabric stash and happily found my plan B.

Still, kitchen related....I whipped up a reversible cottage chic cooking apron. I had never made an apron before but they seemed easy enough. I didn't have time to go out an buy a pattern so I simply measured and cut and came up with this.

Now, I know there are some AMAZING apron patterns out there! If time were on my side, I would have went out and purchased one because I lLOVE the way some of them look! But, I just wanted to show everyone that if you don't want to spend money on a pattern or don't have time, you can make one yourself

I think it's the perfect last minute project for any young girl, whether mother or college student....or both....especially if both!

Melody, now one year older and one apron richer, was kind enough to pose avec apron.

If you ever find yourself in a gift giving pickel here's how I did it (in only 2 hours!)....

First I cut two pieces of fabric 18" x 24". One of the front blue flower pattern the other of the pink and orange pattern. I folded them in half and rounded the bottom left corner creating a wide U shape when open.

Second, I cut two 1.5" strips. One was the contrasting polka dot pattern, the other was the solid orange trim. Both were twice the length of apron from the top left side of the U shape, around the bottom and to the other top right side.

Third, I cut two 3" by 48" strips. One was the contrasting polka dot pattern, the other was the solid orange trim. You can cut the ends to a point if you'd like.

Fourth, I sewed the 1.5" strips, right sides together, around the two short ends and one long side, leaving one long side unsewn. I turned it right side out and then ironed it flat. Then gathered it. Here's an online tutorial on how to gather if you don't know how.

Fifth, I cut out four 4" x 4" squares (one polka dot patten, one blue flowered pattern AND one orange solid color and one pink and orange pattern) and rounded the bottom corners.

Sixth, I took two and sewed the right side together on three sides. Turned right side out, folded the unsewn side inward so that no raw edges were showing then stitched across the top. I repeated this with the other two pieces. Thus making two pockets. I then sewed one pocket on three sides onto one of the 18" x 24" rectangle and did the same with the other pocket and rectangle.

Seventh, I sewed the two 18"x24" pieces together right sides together with the ruffle trim wedged between the two, leaving the top of the apron unsewn. Turn right side out.

Eighth, I then slightly gathered the top of the apron.

Ninth, I sewed the two 3" by 48" strips together around the two short ends and top long side, leaving the bottom long side unsewn. I turned it right side out and then ironed it flat. I then folded the the the unsewn side inward so that no raw edges were showing, slipped the gathered apron in between and centered, then stitched across the top.

Now it is your turn to share your handmade gift ideas!

Look! Something you can make for a man!

OK, so this one is for my friend Felice. Not a man. But a woman who enjoys cosmetics and bags and just had a birthday. It has a canvas outside and oil cloth inside for spill containment and easy wiping clean. But oil cloth not required.

I used Echino by Etsuko Furuya, Quiet Ground, Oil Cloth in Natural and the matching canvas, both available at Fabricworm.
Sizing is up to you. My finished boxy make up bag is quite large. You might want to make yours smaller. I don't know any man that would need this much space for his toiletries.
So my pieces measure:
2 pieces canvas outer 16X14
2 pieces oil cloth lining 16X14
One 16" zipper
but i suggest, for a more normal size, going 14X12 with a 14" zipper

1. Cut your fabric.

2. Lay one piece of canvas (or whatever outer fabric you are using) right side up. Lay your zipper facedown with the zip to the left with the top edge of the zipper lined up to the top edge of the fabric. Now lay a lining piece (oil cloth) facedown on top, with top edges lined up, like so:

Sew in place with your zipper foot:

Now fold your pieces wrong sides facing.  Lay your other outside piece right side up. Now lay your zipper and assembled pieces with the outside fabric face down and the lining fabric facing up as pictured. The zipper will be face down with the zip to the right this time. Make sure all the top edges are lined up:

Lay your other piece of oil cloth (lining) right side down on top with the edges aligned.  You can pin at the very edge (pins leave holes in oil cloth but you won't see these in the final bag):

Sew in place with your zipper foot.

3.  Flip all the pieces around so the zipper is at the top and your oil cloth (lining) pieces are on the outside right side up.  Sew straight across the bottom:

4.  Now bring the seam you just sewed to the center, above the zipper like so. Unzip the zipper halfway so you can turn it inside out when you're done:

Flatten it out and sew up each side, across the zipper.  Reinforce the zipper edges by sew back and forth over them a few times.  Trim your edges:

4.  Now pouf up your bag, still with the oil cloth to the outside.  Pinch each corner in and pin it.  Determine what height you like and draw straight line at the same measurement across each triangulated corner (i did 5"):

Sew that line with a straight stitch:

Cut off the triangle:

Repeat pn al four corners.  Now your bag looks something like this:

Turn it right side out.  You're done!

Pretty quick and simple right?

Stuff with sunscreen and the like.  Don't worry about spills, you can wipe it clean!

Everyone has glasses - either sun, reading or in my case, just for plain old seeing, so this is the gift for everyone.

What you will need:
2 pieces of outside fabric - 6 inches long X 5 inches wide
2 pieces of outside band fabric - 2 1/2 inches long X 5 inches wide
2 pieces of lining fabric - 8 inches long X 5 inches wide
2 pieces of warm and natural batting - 8 inches long X 5 inches wide
4 inch piece of twill tape or any ribbon that you can stamp on
1 fabric ink pen for stamping
alphabet stamp set
any trim that you may want (rick rack, ribbon, etc.)
1 set of hook and loop (velco) 3/4"

1. First you will attach the contrasting band fabric to the top of the main fabric. You do this by placing right sides together at that top and sewing with a 1/4 inch seam. This will make your outside fabric piece 7 1/2 inches long and 5 inches wide to match the lining and batting pieces. Do this for both outside pieces. You don't have to have a contrasting band, so you could just make your outside pieces 7 1/2 X 5 inches instead. It's up to you.

2. Press each of the seams you have just sewn.


3. Lay outside fabric on top of warm and natural batting and pin loosely. Decide what pattern you want to use to quilt the fabric to the batting. I just chose a simple vertical line pattern each 1 inch apart. I drew the lines with a water soluble marker and stitched along those lines.

4. Once you have quilted each outside piece it will look like this.

5. This is where you can add an trim you may want along the seam. I added a piece of rick rack along the seam, but I have put ribbon on others and it is cute too.

6. Now for the fun part - stamping "glasses" on the twill tape. You don't have to use twill tape, but that's what I prefer. You can also use ribbon. I use a textile marker to ink up the alphabet stamps and stamp right on the tape. It doesn't require heat setting and since this probably won't go through the washer, I think the stamped letters will last long enough!


7. Just pin the twill tape with the word glasses where you want it and zig zag stitch all the way around.

8. Now, place both pieces of outside fabric right sides together and pin. Sew around 3 sides, leaving the top open. I use a 3/8 inch seam. Cut the bottom corners at a diagonal and set aside leaving it inside out.


9. Place the 2 pieces of lining fabric together and pin. Sew around all three sides leaving the top open as well. I use a 3/8 inch seam as well, but try to go just a bit past it towards the 1/2 inch seam to make the lining just a bit smaller than the outside fabric. That allows it to fit in snug and not bunch too much when sewing it all together. Does that make sense? Email me with any questions you have about that step. Clip the corners at the diagonal and turn right out. This is when you are going to add the 2 pieces of velcro - one to each right side of the lining. Find the center and mark it and then mark 5/8 inch down from the top in the center. This is where the top of the velcro will go and attach it with a straight stitch going around all four sides. Now, attach the other piece to the opposite right side of the lining so that it faces the piece you have just sewn in.

10. Now place the lining inside the outside fabric right sides touching. This means that the outside fabric is still right side in and the lining fabric is right side out. Line up side seams and pin all they way around the top.
11. Sew around the top edge using a 3/8 inch seam. Leave a 2 inch opening (I usually do this on the back side with out the "glasses" tag on it in case there is an slight imperfections - ha, I always have these!).


12. Now, turn it right side out through the opening. Stuff the lining back inside the outside fabric and press the top seam.

13. Pin the opening closed. Using a close top stitch, stitch all the way around the top, sewing the opening closed as you do this.

14. You are done!

You might also enjoy browsing through the Handmade Gift Guide. Kids can get a head start on making handmade gifts with my e-book Gifts Kids Can Make.

this would be
a perfect holiday gift for neighbors, friends, or teachers. it's fast it's cheap and essential for
the cold weather!

what you'll need:
one bag of rice (i used a 1 lb 12 oz bag) one fat quarter of muslin and one fat
quarter of really cute fabric. (this particular fabric is moda)

first you are going to cut two 14 x 7 inches rectangles
out of your muslin (this will be your rice bag)

sew together along three sides of your muslin pieces using
a 1/4 seam allowance.

turn it inside out and fill it with the whole bag of rice.

fold in the raw edge in on itself and sew shut. your rice bag
is done, so put it aside. now lets start working on your cover.

grab your super cute fabric and cut out three different
rectangles. one at 14 x 7 the second one at 10 x 7 and the third one at 8 x 7

now the two smaller rectangles are the back so you are
going to fold over 1/4 inch once (on one of the 7 inch side) and press with an
iron...

then fold over again for the second time and press with an
iron. do the same to the second small rectangle.

next sew along your folded fabric so that you end up with
two nice finished edges

place right sides together

make sure you pin down all three pieces

and sew along all four sides together using a 1/4 inch
seam allowance.

turn inside out and stuff the muslin rice bag inside your
slip cover.

to heat it up you will need to place it in a microwave on hi for about 1 minute.
check it and make sure it’s not too hot. if you need it a little warmer…place it in there for a few seconds more.just make sure it doesn’t get too hot that it will burn the skin!!!

and now your toe's can be all nice and toasty in style and
it's so darn cute that it'll even look good hanging out on your night table!

thanks all for letting me come over today! please check out all my other tutorials and patterns for sale!

A

How to Make a Super Hero Cape

1 serger + 1 yard fabric = 2 super hero capes

In case anyone with a serger wants to make super easy, super fast, super hero capes. It's cheap too. 1 yard of symphony broadcloth on sale for $1.99, felt .25 and a roll of ribbon .99, for a grand total of $1.65 per cape!!

If you don't have a serger, see option two at the end.

For 2 capes, you'll need:
1 yard of lightweight cotton fabric
40 inches of ribbon cut into four-10 inch lengths
1 piece of felt (I used that new recycled eco-felt, also found at JoAnns)
A serger
thread (multi-color or coordinating color
regular sewing machine
drafting compass (or string/ruler & pencil )

Diagram is not exactly to proportion

1. Fold the fabric into quarters (you will be cutting two capes at one time). Use the diagram above and cut out capes. I used a pencil and string to make my own drafting compass for the rounded bottom and this for the neck. This fancy contraption would work too (I secretly want one of these).

2. Set your serger on rolled hem setting and hem around all edges - neck, sides and bottom. Repeat on second cape.

3. Cut out 4 felt strips (2 for each cape), 2 x 4 inches each. Round off one edge on each strip. Now cut 4 squares, roughly 1 x 1 inch and trim with pinking shears if desires. Place square over ribbon edge and sew onto strip. Sew other end of strip onto cape with a simple zig-zag stitch on a regular sewing machine.

Option one:

Add a circle of white fabric to back with double-sided iron-on interfacing. Stitch around the edge and let the kids decorate with markers or colored pencils.

Option two:

If you don't have a serger, you can do a rolled hem on a regular sewing machine by doing a double fold along the edge, press and then sew. Or you can make one cape out of both pieces by sewing them together along the side and bottom edges, leaving the neck open to turn right side out. Use bias tape to close up the neck.

Now watch your kiddos S O A R ! ! !

You might also like this version of a super hero cape from The Long Thread. A child's chef hat and apron also make cute gifts for kids!

The One Hour Bag

This is the new bag I made to take back to work this term. It took less than an hour from choosing the fabric to dumping my junk in it. In fact this tutorial took waaaayyy longer than the bag ! (the colours are great in real life but the orange doesn't photograph very well - sorry )

This pattern is on a piece of A4 paper so I'm sure you can work it out from that. It needs to be placed in the fold of your fabric as marked.

You will need:

Using the pattern piece and cutting on the fold of your fabrics.

2 pieces in your handbag fabric

2 pieces in your lining fabric

2 pieces in wadding or batting to give your bag a bit of body.

1 magnetic purse snap (optional)

2 x 6 1/2 inch squares of fabric for the pocket (optional).

2 strips of fabric 3 inches x approx 29 inches for the strap

1 strip of wadding about 2 1/2 inches by 29

2 large Buttons

Start with the pocket. Place your squares right sides together and sew around 1/4 in ch in from the edge. Leave a gap for turning (maybe 3 inches). Snip off the corners being careful not to cut your stitching.

Turn right sides out through the gap. . You might like to iron it. I like to do one line of stitching across what will be the top of the pocket but that is just for looks.

Pin your pocket to the right side of one of your bag linings. Sew around the sides and bottom of your pocket being sure to catch the gap you had for turning in your stitching.

I like to do two lines - looks good and adds a bit of strength too.

Now put your other lining piece right sides together with the pocketed one and sew around the bag, again leaving a turning gap at the bottom.

Take your bag fabric pieces and affix your wadding or batting to the wrong side of each piece (if it is fuseable). You need to sew all these four pieces at the same time. Your fabrics need to be right side together with the wadding on the outer of each. (check out the pic above if it doesn't make sense) Pinning might help stop these from moving too much.

Sew around the sides and base of the bag with a 1/4 inch seam. You may want to clip the corners , this will help your curves be nice and smooth and curvacious. Turn the bag right side out.

Now with the bag right side out- slip it into your lining. (This means you will have the right sides of your lining where the pocket is, against the right sides of the bag.)

Sew around the top opening of the bag.

Turn it all right side out through the gap in the bottom of the lining. Then tuck the lining inside the bag, smoothing it as you go. Pin around the top and topstitch.

This is when I like to add magnetic snaps. Putting your hand inside the bag through the lining gap you can poke your snaps through and affix them. Some people like to put a little circle of cardboard on the inside but just use a scrap of wadding or wadding reinforced with some interfacing.

Then that is it for the bag , you can hand sew or machine sew the gap in the lining closed.

The strap is super easy- Just place your pieces right sides together and sew along the length of the strip on both sides. You could add your wadding at this stage and sew it in but my fabric is a bit thick so it will be hard to turn, so I didn't add it yet.

Turn right sides out so you have a long tube. Then using a safety pin I just thread in a long strip of wadding for body.

Tuck in your ends, either on an angle or straight across and topstitch all around, ,making sure you catch the ends into your sewing.

Sew the strap to the bag - you can do this by hand or machine - add some buttons for decoration and you are done.

Obviously you can jazz this up as much as you want - maybe patchwork some fabric together first, add some trims, super easy and versatile ! Hope you like it!

You might also be interested in this simple reversible tote , zippered pouch and pocket tissue holder.