EXPERT

Chevron Laptop bag

Finished Size: 111/2 x 13 x 2 (29 x 33 x 5 cm)
Supplies Needed 1 yd Canvas / Duck (36 x 54) (1 solid & 1 coordinating stripe) 5/8 yd Fusible fleece interfacing Coordinating thread 100/16 or larger Jeans needle (recommended) Fabric marker Rotary cutter, mat & acrylic ruler 61/2 x 24 15 Square acrylic ruler (optional but helpful) Sewing machine & basic sewing supplies Iron Before you begin Read through all instructions. Use a 1/2 seam allowance and stitch fabrics with right sides together unless stated otherwise. Do not pre-wash fabrics.

Note: Cut pieces in order listed and label pieces after cutting. Fabric A:

Cutting

2 - 3 x 42 (Gusset & Strap) 2 - 121/2 x 14 (Front & Back) 2 - 9 x 14 (Back Outside Pocket) 1 - 12 X 121/2 (Flap Lining) 1 - 8 x 13 (Inside Pocket) 4 - 11/2 x 12 (Flap Accent Strips) 2 - 15 squares - see Step 1 of instructions before cutting (Chevron Flap Strips & Back Pocket Trim) 1 - 3 x 42 (Gusset Lining) 2 - 121/2 x 14 (Front & Back Lining) 1 - 3 x 42 - cut on a 45 angle; piece length if needed (Strap Lining) 2 - 3 x 42 (Gusset & Strap) 2 - 121/2 x 14 (Back & Front) 1 - 12 x 13 (Flap) Fold striped canvas fabric with right sides together and cut edges even. Adjust the fabric so that the stripe pattern lines up on both layers and pin. Cut a 15 square through both layers. Leave squares stacked together. Draw a diagonal line from comer to corner on the wrong side of the top square (Dia. A). Draw a line 11/2 on each side of the diagonal line, then draw lines 3 from these lines. lmportant: Do not cut on the center diagonal line. Cut along all other drawn lines to make six 3 wide bias-cut strips. Set aside one of the longer strips for the back pocket trim.
Cutting the chevron flap & back pocket trim strips:

Fabric B:

Fusible Fleece:

Project Instructions created by Fabric Editions, LLC for

sewcraftproject.ca
03

Sewing 1. To make the flap, lay out the bias cut flap strips on a flat surface with the longest strip in the center and arrange them so that matching stripes form a V or chevron (Dia. B). Note: You may need to flip or slide the strips so that the design forms properly. The top and bottom edges will be uneven. 2. Pin the long edges of the strips right sides together matching the pattern; sew with a 1/4 seam. Note: Stripes may not line up exactly, but this will not be visible once accent strips are added. Press the seams open. Trim the flap to 12 x 13. 3. Fold each Fabric A flap accent strip in half so long edges meet. Open and fold the long edges to the center crease and press well. Note: Your strips will now measure 3/4 wide. Center the accent strips (with the raw edges on the back) over the seams in the flap and pin (Dia. C). Topstitch close to each long edge to attach strips to the flap. 4. Following manufacturers instructions, fuse fleece to the wrong side of flap. Using a circular item (a glass or similarly sized object) as a template, place it at the bottom corners of the flap and draw around the edge (Dia. D). Cut along drawn lines to round off the bottom corners. Repeat with flap lining. Place right sides of flap and flap lining together and sew around the sides and bottom. Turn right side out and press well. Baste cut edges together. With chevron side facing up, sew two parallel rows of topstitching around outer edges of flap. 5. To make the back pocket, cut the back pocket trim piece to 2 x 14. With right sides together, place the long edges of one pocket piece and trim piece together, pin and sew with a 1/4 seam. Press seam away from stitching. Sew opposite side of trim piece to remaining back pocket piece. Press seams toward the trim piece (Dia. E). Fold pocket in half with wrong sides together; match the seams and align all edges and press. Note: The trim piece will form the top border. Place on bag back, matching bottom corners and side edges. Baste back pocket in place. 6. Fuse eece to wrong side of strap lining. Place the strap and strap lining right sides together and sew along long edges. Turn right side out and press. Topstitch along long edges. 7. Fuse eece to wrong sides of bag pieces. Using the same circular template from Step 6, trace and then trim the front and back bag bottom corners. Fold each in half crosswise and mark the center bottom edges. Stay stitch 3/8 from sides and bottom edges of bag front and back and long sides of gusset. 8. Fold the gusset in half and mark the center. Match the center bottom of the bag front to the center of the gusset. Pin raw edges together, clipping up to but not through the stay stitching around the comers of the gusset as needed to keep layers at and smooth. Pin the edge of the gusset along the remainder of the bag front and sew. Repeat for bag back. Note: Before sewing check that both top edges of the bag front and back are even on both ends of the gusset and adjust as needed. Trim excess gusset to match the top edges of the bag. 9. Fold the inside pocket with right sides rogether matching the short ends. Sew along sides and bottom leaving a 3 opening for turning. Clip corners diagonally and turn right side out and press. Center the pocket on back lining with the folded edge 21/2 from the rop edge. Topstitch close to folded edge. Stitch 1/4 around sides and bottom. Tip: Stitch vertical seams through the pocket to divide it into smaller sections for phones, pens, etc. 10. With right sides together, match centers of the ap and bag back, pin, sew and reinforce stitching (Dia. F). 11. Repeat Step 9 using the front, back and gusset lining, except leave a 5 opening in the bottom of one seam for turning. Turn right side out. 12. Place the ends of the strap with the bag fabrics matching at the end of the bag gusset. Match raw edges and pin. Tip: Check strap length before sewing. Trim to shorten if necessary. Sew seams several times to reinforce. Finishing 13. Pin right sides of lining and bag together along top edge. Sew and turn right side out through opening in lining. Sew opening closed. Push lining inside of bag and press top edges well. Topstitch around top edge of bag.

Project Instructions created by Fabric Editions, LLC for

sewcraftproject.ca
03