Michellesews

Click It Bag
Cut:
One outside piece, size of your choice. Fuse with lightweight interfacing.
One lining fabric, same size as outside fabric EXCEPT…2-1/2 inches longer (for ¾” wide tape measure) or 2-3/4 inches longer for 1 inch wide tape measure. Fuse batting to this piece, or use spray baste and stick batting to it.

Construction
1. Draw a line on the right side of the outside fabric ¾” down from each short, opposite end.
2. Add pull tabs and embellishments at this time, tabs are prairie points using 3-1/2” or 4-1/4” squares. I used a 4-1/2” square in the middle and 3-1/2 inch square on sides.
3. Place cut, short edge of lining fabric right up against the drawn, ¾” line, with right sides together on each end. Stitch a ¼” seam (you will be stitching on the lining and batting). Turn this tube-like shape you just made right side out and press, making sure equal amounts of lining fabric shows at each end, as this area is the cuff area which the tape measure is going to feed through. Now stitch in the ditch along the seam between the outside fabric and lining fabric and prairie points, if you used them, making the channel for the tape measure.
4. With right sides together stitch one side with a ¼” seam. Overcast or zig-zag the seam.
5. Cut the metal tape measure on only one end, rounding corners and putting painters tape around the end, force into the channel, NUMBERS ON MEASURE FACING OUTSIDE OF BAG. Once it is in as far as it will go, make a mark right at the raw edge of the opening on the tape measure itself. Now back the tape measure back out approximately ¾” and cut. Round this end off and put tape on it, poke it back in as far as it will go. You should have about 3/8” empty space between the tape measure and the end of your bag in which to put your final seam. Do the other side. Stitch up the last side of the bag being very careful not to hit the tape measure with your needle. Zig zag, trim and CLICK TI!!!

EXTRAS: To put a bottom in your bag, after sewing each side seam, fold the bottom and for a triangle at each corner and stitch straight across. If you plan to put bottoms in your bags, cut your fabric about 3” longer at the start, than you would for a flat bag.

POCKETS: If you want inside pockets, at the beginning, take your lining piece and fold it in half, finding the bottom and top of bag and sew a pocket on one for both sides, making the pocket double thickness for wearability.

Note: When you buy the tape measure or steal it from your husband, pull the entire length out and cut it, fold it up to have. I did not do this, I cut a piece off and of course the rest snapped up inside the case. I had to take a hammer and beat the case apart to retrieve the rest of the tape measure. I was glad I was alone .
You can make these bags any size with a little adjustment. Once you get the hang of how they go together, the sky is the limit!
Have fun!!!

If you have any questions, or get stuck…just send me a PM…I’ll unstick ya!

Michelle Guadarrama