Let my mistake be your lesson
 

I've been making bags bags bags. I had the bright idea to make one with a really wide bottom. Guess what, the lining didn't fit. It was too short. So I had to add a piece of fabric to the top of the lining to make it long enough. It came out fine but what a pain.
Don't do as I do.

Thanks! :)

I frequently add a strip of fabric, matching the outside, at the top of my linings. That way the lining doesn't peek out and become so visible.

From experience...when you add inches (dimension) to a purse pattern, don't forget to add it to the lining. Whether it be length or width. If you are adding to the bottom, be sure to "ADJUST" your pocket lining so they don't end up in the bottom of the purse. You know that algebra that you took in high school that you said, "I'LL NEVER USE THIS IN REAL LIFE" ...guess what...if you sew, you'll eventually use it! I just doensized a pattern for a customer who wanted 3 throw sized quilts made from a queen sized quilt pattern I have....I had to down size it to 59%...appliques, blocks and all That meant I had to reduce block measurements by 41%...see! Math is not a bad thing! If you sew, you know!

Thanks Drue. I'm going to be calling on you in the future with my math questions. :)

Me too! Math is not my strong suit and what Drue wrote confused me. I am hopeless when downsizing anything. Ugh!

I ,too, always put a facing of the outside fabrice jon the top of the lingins. My math and cutting can be bad an this gives me a little play space. Plus no lining peeking up on the top.

Thanks for sharing your idea. I too make many bags, but never thought of adding a strip to the top of lining. Will be doing it next bag. Love this blog and all the ideas so freely shared with the rest of us.

I have yet to start making bags. I bought one with pockets and dividers ( a commercial product) and love it....when I get caught up (ha ha) I am going to try and make another that is similar.

I have seen some bags made wwith a different piece of fabric add to the top half makes them look scrappy.

Thanks for sharing this

I've actually done that too. And fixed it the same way. It can be a pain but it does create something new and different.

I don't do fancy linings if I need linings. I sew the side seams, then sew the outside shell to the inside shell (with straps inc) the finish the bottom holding the shell and lining as one piece.
(for shopping bags, that is!)

AND-----it finally occurred to me that my huge stash of double knit scraps are ideal for linings.

AND-----it finally occurred to me that my huge stash of double knit scraps are ideal for linings.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for this idea. I have lots of double knit left to me by my grandmother. Not just scraps, but large amounts. Any other ideas for using this stuff up? It seems to be "indestructible". haha I've made a 9 patch scrap quilt cover for my bed but never quilted it. The colors are really bright and never fade.

Big pieces of double knit could be used instead of batting on wall hangings, etc.

thank you for the info

I hadn't thought about the lining on bags but now I will hopefully remember it if I increase/decrease a bag in the future. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks for this idea. I have lots of double knit left to me by my grandmother. Not just scraps, but large amounts. Any other ideas for using this stuff up? It seems to be "indestructible". haha I've made a 9 patch scrap quilt cover for my bed but never quilted it. The colors are really bright and never fade.[/QUOTE]

I use double knit for the back of floor quilts for kids. For the back of mug rugs, eliminates needing batting. Once in a while for batting, but it depends on what the item is.

No, no, you didn't make a mistake, you were just being CREATIVE :)

Thanks for the tip.

Can I have my 8th grade algebra student call you ?:)

I have been making a lot of bags lately and I use fabric for the lining that compliments the front, so it is ok if it shows when I open the bag a bit.

I'm not good with the math either. What I do is draw it all out on paper when changing the size of anything. I'll draw out a whole quilt, add all the changes in inches, add up the inches to come up with total fabric, make sure the length and width is calculated -- it all has to be right out in front of me before I'll even start. I started doing that after I started a new lap quilt with new sizes, left it for a bit, went back to it later, and went straight back to the original directions. It was a mess. And I didn't have enough fabric to fix it, so I had to "unseam" the blocks I did first, re-cut them to the smaller, original pattern size, re-sew them, and then add them to the rest of the top (yes, I finished the top with the original directions, never noticed I was doing it all wrong until I looked at the whole!) It took me forever to do what was supposed to be a quick top. After that fiasco, I draw out and create a new pattern when I want to change, and put away the old pattern, so I don't ever do this again!

I feel your pain!

That is a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?

Thanks for inspiring me to tackle my first quilted bag!

Drue your phone might be ringing off the hook as I arm
Horrible at math! Ty lining idea!!!

Drue there is only one problem I never had any algebra. I only did up to basic 9th grade math. However, I even use that more than I would have believe back then many moons ago. LOL You do what you need to do when you love to sew/quilt.

When I make bags, before sewing my lining together I do a measurement of the top edge, and from the top edge to the middle of the bottom piece of the shell. Then I sew the lining to those measurements. I always cut the lining a little larger than called for so I can make those adjustments.

Good idea about adding the matching strip to the top of the lining piece.

Thanks for the advise, we all learn from our mistakes!