Thursday, September 26, 2013

September Blog Hop Day 2: Quilt As You Go Drawstring Backpack


It's Day 2 of the September Blog Hop and the Benartex Blog Team is here, sharing a tutorial for a Quilt As You Go Drawstring Tote. We chose the All Stars collection from Kanvas--these black and pink sports-themed prints make a perfect bag for a girl on the go, and the the bag's style adds a fun, modern touch. What we love about the bag, besides the cool, quilted front: Just one drawstring strap serves as both the way to cinch the backpack and as the straps to wear it!

The fabrics we used:

You'll Need:

  • 2/3 yard black with text and soccer balls
  • 3/4 yard pink star print
  • 1/2 yard stripe
  • Fat quarters of 3 additional black/pink prints
  • Two 21" squares of batting

Cutting:
Black with text and soccer balls:
(1) 20" square


Pink star:
(2) 18" squares
(1) 3" x 42" strip


Stripe:
(2) 5-1/2" x 42" strips

Reserve the remaining fabrics for making the quilt as you go bag front.

Batting:
(2) 21" squares

Let's make the bag!
The front of the bag is created through the quilt as you go method. No need to measure or cut pieces in advance! Start with a 21" batting square. Cut your first piece of fabric--on our bag it is about 4" x 6", but yours can be any size. Quilt it onto the center of the batting square using straight lines, approximately 1/2" apart. 

Continue adding pieces around the first piece, log cabin style. Measure the height of the first quilted piece and cut a piece from another fabric to roughly that same measurement. Lay it right sides together on the quilted piece and stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. If it's a little too long, no problem. The edges will be covered up as you add more pieces.

Press open and quilt straight stitches down the new piece, 1/4" to 1/2" apart. Always quilt lines parallel to the seam you just sewed. 

Continue adding pieces in the same way, quilting as you go.

Add fabric until the quilted square measures more than 18". Square up to measure 18".

Baste the 20" fabric square to the second piece of batting and quilt it however you like for the backpack backing. We used straight lines 1/2" apart.

Square up to measure 18". Place the quilted front and back right sides together and stitch down the two sides only (creating a tube). 


To make the casing, fold and press the long edges of the 3" x 42" pink star strip in 1/4".

Fold one short edge of the casing in 1/2", press, and stitch. Measure 1-1/4" down from the top edge of the tote and pin the casing in place, all the way around. Trim the casing strip where it touches the starting point and press, fold, and stitch so there's a 1/2" opening between casing ends. 

Topstitch the top edge of the casing. Then topstitch the bottom edge. 


Sew the two 5-1/2" x 42" stripe strips short ends together to make a long strip. Fold and press the strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Open the fold and press both raw edges in to the center fold. Fold on the center line and topstitch along both long sides to create the drawstring strap.

Using a safety pin, feed the drawstring strap through the casing. 

Pull the ends of the straps even and then cinch the bag shut. Decide on a length for the shoulder straps. (It's important to do this while the top of the bag is cinched shut because that's how the bag will be worn.) Trim the straps to the desired length and pin to the bottom edge of the bag back, about 3" in from each corner. 

Turn bag wrong side out and sew along the bottom edge, catching the straps as you stitch. To box the corners, turn the outer tote wrong side out and cut a 1-1/2" square out of each bottom corner. 

Match the seams and stitch across using a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat on the other corner. 

Use the two 18" pink star squares to make the lining. Stitch around three sides, leaving an opening along the bottom for turning. Box the corners just like for the outer bag. 

Turn the outer bag right side out. Leave the lining wrong side out. Slide the lining around the outer bag, matching raw edges. Pin in place. 


Stitch along the top edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Stitch the opening in the lining closed and tuck the lining inside the bag. Topstitch the top edge of the bag. And here's a hint: When you're sewing the lining and bag together or topstitching, start and end along one of the side seams. That way, if things don't line up perfectly, you can hide it along the seam.




The giveaway: For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of the All Stars collection, sign up to follow the Benartex blog using either Bloglovin’ or the email feature (both in the right sidebar). Then leave a comment below this post telling us that you are a follower and letting us know if you've ever made a bag before (and if you have...how many?). This giveaway will be open through Wednesday, October 2 at 11:59 pm EST.

Don't miss the other tutorials featured in our September blog hop:
Day 1: Urban Oasis Table Runner from Kristen of KD-Quilts



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62 comments:

  1. I am a follower via email.
    I have made several bags, about 7. I think.

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  2. I am a follwer through bloglovin'. I have made 2 bags until now and several pouches.

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  3. Hi I am a true follower thru emails. No, I have never made a bag before but you have a great and easy tutorial to help me make one now for my grandnephew. With your help now I know I can do this. Thank you for great tutorials all week long and the chance to win.

    Sandi Timmons

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  4. I am a follower via Bloglovin and also through Facebook. Great bag project and fabulous fabrics.

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  5. Oh my goodness I just LOVE this drawstring backpack! Wait until my granddaughters feast on this gem -- I will be making 3 of them soon !! Thanks for sharing the tutorial and the fabric is perfect for my eldest granddaughter Emily. I'm a follower via Google Friend Connect and via e-mail !! Cheers !

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  6. I follow by email. I have made dozens of tote bags, but never a drawstring bag like this. I think I need to give it a try!

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  7. I follow via Bloglovin. Love this simple backpack and the fabrics used. I've made about a dozen bags but never a back pack. This one looks pretty simple, can't wait to give it a try.

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  8. Email subscriber. I mad a pack back recently, it was the first bag I've ever made.

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  9. I'm a follower thru Bloglovin. I've never made a bag before, but you make it look easy! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  10. I follow trough Bloglovin. I've made lots of grocery bags before... thanks for the tutorial!

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  11. Email subscriber . I have never made a bag like this one but great idea!

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  12. I am a follower through bloglovin. I make bags all the time, don't know how many because I gift most of them. Probably 30+.

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  13. I'm an email follower - I love making bags!
    I've probably made over 20

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  14. I follow via email. I've never made a bag - but want to soon!

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  15. I'm already a Benartex follower by email. I have made only one bag.

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  16. What a cute bag!! And looks so easy. Wonderful tutorial. Thanks for sharing. I follow by e-mail.

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  17. I'm a follower via bloglovin. I've made a few bags but still just learning. Thanks!

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  18. I follow via email. I have made a few bags probably about 15.

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  19. Follow by email. I have made probably 7 bags.

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  20. I am a facebook follower. This would be a great bag for one of my granddaughters.
    Jane

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  21. I follow Benartex by email, bloglovin and on Facebook. I've made lots of purses and a few drawstring bags. This one is really cute, though. Fun! Thanks. It would make a good gift for my nieces for Christmas.

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  22. I follow you via bloglovin and email, and I recently made a bag for my sister to carry her tablet device around.

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  23. Hello! I'm following through email.

    I've actually lost count of how many bags I've made. Some have been from patterns, some have been made "on the fly" because I needed something then. I've made purses, totes, and diaper bags. I may have an addiction to bags. :)

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  24. Cute bag! Gives me a great idea for Christmas gifts. I have made several bags but it has been a while so I don't remember the specific number of how many I have made.I am a follower.

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  25. Yes, I am a follower of Benartex blog. I have not made a bag before, this is one that my granddaughter would like. Thanks.

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  26. I follow on bloglovin, no I have never made a bag. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  27. I follow via email and BL, I have not made a bag, Love that fabric.
    smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

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  28. I'm a follower with Bloglovin. Haven't made a bag yet, but I expect to in the near future. Thanks.

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  29. I follow thru Blogloving. I have made totes but not a real bag.

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  30. I'm already a follower of theirs on Bloglovin'. I've made three bags for myself and one for my daughter.

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  31. I'm already a follower via email. I've made about 5 bags of varying sizes. I really like this backpack pattern. Thanks!

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  32. I am a facebook and a email follower.
    Currently making 5 book bags for a project at church.
    My grand-daughters would love this bag.

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  33. I'm an email subscriber. I've made lots of bags, probably at least 10. I think I sold four or five of them at a craft store; I've worn out at least 3; I made one for each daughter. Probably a couple more that I've forgotten about! They are one of my favorite things to make.

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  34. I follow by bloglovin. I have made several bags - more than ten I would say. But I like the quilt as you go idea!

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  35. I follow you through Blog Lovin'. I have made a messenger bag for my niece and small quilted gift bags, but that is all.

    Sandy A

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  36. I follow with my RSS which now is also Blog lovin and it comes straight to my mail box (twice I think lol) I've made numerous bags, some big some small. Some with handles some with drawstrings. I will be makeing over 40 of them for halloween too. Keep up the great tutorials!! they keep us sharp too.

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  37. I follow on bloglovin. I have made several small tote bags.

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  38. Following via email.
    I've made 3 tote bags, 2 of them were patchwork.

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  39. Great backpack! I've made one backpack before but it was more like a knapsack. I'm a follower via BlogLovin.

    Thank you for a super giveaway and the chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. Great backpack! I've made one backpack before but it was more like a knapsack. I'm a follower via BlogLovin.

    Thank you for a super giveaway and the chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I just love this back pack! I am going to make them for my neices and nephews christmas presents. So exciting. I just found your blog this morning and loveit. Thanks for the great tutorials! Can't wait to explore more of this great blog.
    Hope I win!
    Loree Ellis
    www.garnergirl-loree.blogspot.com
    wadeandloree(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I am a follower! I've made several Lazy Girl bags and this back back looks like a fun and easy project too!

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  43. I follow on bloglovin. I have made a handful of bags. Nothing big yet. I am really just getting into bag making and I really do like it!

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  44. I follow with bloglovin. I love making bags and I've made plenty of them over the years but I have no idea how many.

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  45. I am a follower already. I've made 2 of the 2 hour Tulip Bags and it took me longer than 2 hours too! Happy Sewing!

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  46. I follow on Bloglovin. I've made many bags and pouches (30+) - but I've never done a QAYG project. Can't wait!

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  47. I am a follower through bloglovin.

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  48. Super cute.I`ve never made one and hope to try this.Thanks for the tuto!!

    I am a follower by email.

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  49. I am a follower on Bloglovin'. I have never made a bag before but I would love to try a QAYG. Thank you for the giveaway,

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  50. I've made a few bags before, but I love this QAYG... and that fabric is gorgeous!! Thanks for the tutorial!! ps I am following on Bloglovin' thanks!!

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  51. Thank you for making it possible to enter with anonymous. Love this website and also Salt Water Quilts by Candace! Her quilts are gorgeous! Would love to win the Sweetie Pie collection as I expoecting my first great grandchild ths month!! whoop, whoop!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry. my email address is hrglover@hotmail.com

      Delete
  52. I am signed up to follow their blog. Thank you. I have never made a bag like this...so I'm loving this tutorial. However, I have made hundreds of bags over the years, as I used to consign them. I'm not making so many anymore, but this would be a great gift. Thanks for your tutorial!

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  53. I folloe with bloglovin. This would be a great bag for weekend getaway s

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  54. I follow with bloglovin, and yes I've made a bag before although I woudl that I had this tutorial before making it.. this seems so easy.

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