bag pattern – SewThankful Blog

Glamsy vinyl mesh Spa Bag with Carry Strap

On Thursday last week (9/24/17), I did some Discovery Day Sewing. I wanted to add a carry handle/strap to the Glamsy Spa Gift Bag (pictured here). She’s for my brand new StandZa Zip Bags sewing pattern.

I filled Glamsy with delightful bath/spa items chosen specifically to pamper and please, including: lavender scented Epsom salt soak, body wash, buff pad, spa eye mask, lip balm, shower brush, lotion and more. I *loved* that she could hold so much so beautifully; but then I decided that I really wanted an attractive and easy way to carry and present her.

Sew…I decided on adding a single carry strap as a quick, easy and inexpensive solution. After making this, I do believe the method should not be limited to this project. I think it would be great for adding single or double straps/handles of any desired length to a multitude of different bags types and styles. Why spend a bunch of money on designer pre-made straps or handles when you can easily make your own custom straps?

What do you think? Would you like to know how I did it?

If I get at least 200 unique and positive responses combined I will make a 1-page, step-by-step tutorial full of pictures and provide it as a FREE PDF in NEXT Sunday’s eNews (10/1/17).

My time is super limited, so I need your feedback if you would like me to do this for FREE.

There are four easy ways to let me know:

Make a comment on the pinned post on our SewThankful Inc. Facebook page.
Email me directly.
Follow us on Instagram and like the Glamsy with Straps picture.
Make a comment below, on this blog post.

©Tracy Chapman & SewThankful Inc. May 2009. All Rights Reserved. This pattern/project tutorial is intended for personal use of the home sewer who has their own personal access to this website. At this time, this project is being provided online only for a limited time as a free tutorial. There is no PDF available for this project. No part of this pattern/project may be reproduced for any distribution purposes whatsoever–whether by group, entity or individual. The pictures and written instructions are not to be copied for distribution, reproduced for distribution, repackaged for distribution, distributed, circulated, given away or sold in any form or fashion. If you wish to share this project with others, please provide them with a link directly to this page. Permission is granted for individual home sewers/crafters to make and sell small quantities of the sewn/finished project. Each user assumes all risk and liability for use and end result of this project. Tracy L. Chapman & SewThankful Inc. shall have no liability with respect to loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this project.

Please read all instructions completely before cutting any materials or beginning the project.

Finished bag – approximate measurements:

Top width – 14″ // Height – 16″ // Boxed Bottom – 10″ wide x 4″ deep

Materials needed for 2 color bag:

Color #1 – 2 strips of vinyl mesh, each 5 1/2″ wide x 36″ long
Color #2 – 1 strip of vinyl mesh, 5 1/2″ wide x 36″ long

Materials needed for single color bag:

1 piece of vinyl mesh, 15 1/2″ x 36″

Additional Materials required to complete BOTH versions:

(1) zipper – at least 18″ of #5 Coil Zipper
(1) #5 Coil Zipper Pull
(1) size Medium Dritz Curtain Grommet (1″ Grommet) NOTE: 1 package of these grommets will make 8 bags.
Sturdy Thread — coordinating and/or contrasting, as desired. I like to use Superior So Fine Thread to sew vinyl mesh.
(1) Jumbo Carabiner – available from your local Home Depot or online at: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100522297&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100522297&cm_mmc=shopping-_-google-_-D25X-_-100522297

Step 1 – Piece the Mesh Strips

*If making single color bag, skip to Step 2

Use a 1/2″ seam allowance to piece together your strips, see pictures below – click images for larger pictures:

finger press seam so that seam allowance will point away from center of bag — Finger press and roll seam flat from front so that seam allowance will point away from center of bag. Hint - a soup can or a firm cylinder of almost anything works great to roll and flatten the seam. I used a roll of decorative string.

Topstitch approximately 1/8" from seam line, making sure seam allowance points away from bag center — Top stitch approximately 1/8" from seam line, make sure seam allowance points away from bag center

Run a 2nd top stitch line parallel to and approximately 1/4" from the first top stitching.

step1d — Add optional zigzag or other decorative stitch between the top stitching lines -- this provides additional strength to the seams of the center panel and adds visual interest.

Repeat process with the other strip of mesh to form your panel. Trim panel if necessary to measure 15 1/2" x 36"

Step 2 – Mark bag and Apply the Zipper

Helpful hints – refer to the blog tips on using coil zipper

Measure and mark with chalk or other NON-permanent marker 4 1/2″ down from top edge on both sides of the bag, as shown in picture below. NOTE: These marks are where the bag will fold over to form the top edge of the finished bag. Use this information to determine which direction you prefer your zipper to zip — it’s your bag and the choice is yours.

Determine preferred zipper orientation, pin zipper in place along edge of mesh as shown (right side of zipper facing right side of mesh/bag). — Determine preferred zipper orientation. Pin zipper in place along edge of mesh as shown with approximately 1 1/2" of zipper tape extending beyond the edge of each side of mesh; right side of zipper facing right side of mesh/bag.

If you have one, change your machine presser foot to a zipper foot. A zipper foot does make it easier but it is NOT necessary to put in a zipper.

Make sure zipper pull is extended past the edge of mesh and out of the way of your presser foot. Sew first side of zipper on as shown.

Stitch slowly and remove pins as you approach them

Un-pin safety pin from one side of top of zipper, close and leave in place on the other side of zipper. Carefully slide zipper back open. Finger press seam allowance toward bag (away from zipper).

step2b — Top stitch approximately 1/4" from edge of zipper seam.

Re-secure safety pin to both sides of zipper tape and carefully pull zipper closed.

Pin other side of zipper to the other edge of vinyl mesh, right sides together.

Align zipper tape with opposite edge of vinyl mesh, stitch as shown. — Align zipper tape with opposite edge of vinyl mesh, stitch as shown removing pins as you approach them.

Un-pin safety pin from one side of top of zipper tape. Move zipper pull backward, unzipping until you are past the edge of mesh, resting against the safety pin at the bottom of the zipper.

Finger press seam, pressing seam allowance away from the zipper, toward the bag.

Topstich just like you did on the previous side.

Step 3 – Side Seams

Re-secure safety pin at zipper top. With bag right sides together (wrong side facing you), close the zipper only 1/2 way across the bag as shown.

Find the chalk marks made previously (on each side, 4 1/2" from the mesh/zipper edge). Make a crease across these marks to form the bag top edge.

Find the chalk marks made previously (5" from the mesh/zipper edge) and crease; flatten all the way down the bag and fold/crease at bottom as shown. — Flatten smoothly all the way down the bag and fold/crease at bottom as shown.

Pin sides of the bag through mesh and zipper ends to prevent slipping or shifting as shown above.

With bag inside out and pinned at zipper ends in seam allowance, make sure zipper is at least 6″ open. Use 1/2″ seam allowance. Back stitch at beginning and end of seams to secure. Stitch each side of the bag. Use a wide zigzag to finish each side seam and provide additional security.

Carefully clip corners (do not clip any stitching). Trim off ends of zipper tape.

Step 4 – Box Bottom

Pinch and press side seam into bottom crease until they line up perfectly. Flatten down as shown below.

Mark a line 2" from the point of the side seam.

Pin to secure. Repeat on other side/bottom of bag.

Both sides of bag bottom marked and pinned.

Backstitch to secure at beginning and ending — stitch across each marked line.

Trim corners off to form 1/2″ edge. Zigzag to finish and secure each seam allowance.

Reach in through zipper, turn bag right side out. Work corners gently with fingers until they are crisp & sharp looking. Smooth and flatten top of bag.

Step 5 – Set Grommet

Measure to center top of bag, mark center with a straight pin.

Take out one side of the grommet pieces and lay at center top of bag. Move it to the position you want it. I like the top edge of the grommet to be about an inch or so from the top edge of the bag.

Once you determine where you want your grommet, mark the center of the grommet with a piece of marking chalk or other marker.

Follow grommet package instructions to apply grommet — it’s a SNAP!

Line up template crosshairs with center chalk mark. Use marking chalk to mark the circle on the template stencil.

Using your craft knife and direct downward pressure over a cutting mat, cutt on the marked lines. Remove the cut-outs. — Using your craft knife and downward pressure over a cutting mat, cut on the marked lines -- remember, you are cutting through 2 layers of vinyl mesh. Remove the cut outs.

Test to see if grommet fits by placing raised center grommet piece into hole–you want a snug fit. If circle is not quite big enough for grommet to fit, trim carefully with craft scissors until you have it just right…you want a snug fit. The package directions are good, so be sure to keep and follow them.