Side Pockets

Adding the side pockets is pretty easy as well, when you follow the instructions!  I do like the detailing of the top stitches across the opening, too.

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Attaching the Bottom of the bag to the Top Panels

This includes the steps of sewing together three layers of Peltex, and seaming together the two short sides and one long side of the interfacing to the bottom panel.  At first, this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, because the interfacing has been fused on in every other instance.

But trust Amy here – it really makes assembling the exterior of the bag a lot easier.

Assembly

Of the external parts of the bag, not the whole thing…  You thought this would be so simple!

Sewing one of the sides to the top and bottom panels is pretty darn easy.  At least it was for me, though it requires me to be patient.  By this point in the bag, I’m really wanting to get it done, since it’s finally starting to look like a bag!

Next is making sure the zipper is opened so that it can be turned right side out, and making sure the interfacing is out of the way to sew the other side on.  This is usually the time that the bag makes me bleed, but this time, I emerged unscathed!

The part that give me the most trouble for this iteration of the bag was getting the Peltex panels into the bottom of the bag.  I ended up having to trim all sides of the sewn panels, down to about a quarter inch from the seam on all sides.  See if you have better luck, but know that if you have to do the same, it’s not the end of the world!

Once you’ve got the Peltex panels inserted, and have carefully sewn the opening closed, you’re done with the exterior of the bag!  Congratulations!

Now all you have left is the lining creation and final assembly.

Continue to Part 4 ->