Difficulty level
Intermediate
Time to Complete
Weekend
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Pattern available!
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Stage 1
Cut out all the pattern pieces in the main, contrasting and mesh fabrics.
Stage 2
Using the main fabric pattern pieces cut out the Bosal or interfacing and then trim 6/8" from all sides.
Stage 3
Apply, by steam pressing, the Bosal or interfacing to the wrong side of the main fabric pieces.
Leaving the seam allowances clear as a border, this will reduce the amount of bulk when sewing the pieces together.
Stage 4
Decorate the right side of the main front and back fabric with an embroidery or appliqué design. Remember, only decorate one half as there will be a pocket on the other half.
Stage 5 - to make the mesh pockets
Using a stretch or zig zag stitch sew a length of elastic to the top edge of the mesh fabric, working in gathers or soft pleats with the excess mesh fabric.
Tack the side and bottom edges of the mesh fabric pockets to the right side of the main fabric side pieces. The excess bottom mesh fabric should be put into gathers or soft pleats.
Stage 6 - to make the contrasting patch pocket
Insert the invisible zip between the top and bottom parts. Place the right side of the zip onto the right side of the fabric and sew into place using presser foot #35.
Turn under 1.5cm on all four raw edges of the pocket and press.
Pin the pocket to the front of the main fabric.
Using presser foot #4 and needle in the far left position, top stitch around the pocket to sew in place.
Stage 7 - to sew the lining
Stitch the bottom edges of the side pieces to the bottom edges of the front and back piece.
Press the seam allowances open. Sew all four side seams from the top edge of the bag to the bottom seam and press the seam allowances open.
Leave the lining bag inside out and fold and press the top edge ½" to the wrong side.
Stage 8 - to sew the outside of the bag
Stitch both side pieces to the front and back piece in the same way as with the lining.
Turn the main bag right side out, fold and press the top edge ½" to the wrong side.
Stage 9 - to make the handles
Stitch each main fabric piece to a lining piece along one of the long edges.
Fold and press the seam allowances of the unsewn long edges towards the wrong sides and then fold each handle in half, matching the folded edges.
Top stitch each handle along the long edges. I used the triple straight stitch with the stitch length set to 4 and a contrasting thread.
Stage 10 - to assemble the bag
Place the lining inside the outer bag, match up the seams and pin together.
Insert the end 1" (the raw edges) of each handle in between the folds of the lining and outer bag, pin in place.
Top stitch around the top of the bag and this will attach the handles in place at the same time as being decorative. Again, I used the triple straight stitch with the stitch length set to 4 and a contrasting thread.
Press well.
Nice one! You're ready to show off your stylish and practical bag down at the gym... Now you have no excuse to miss a session!
Feeling fighting fit?
Our funky new gym bag certainly provided some much needed motivation and has ample space for everything we could need for a workout!
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