Get Inspired with Easy Weekend Sewing Projects

Sew up one of these easy weekend sewing projects.

Looking to show off your sewing skills, but don’t want to take on a huge time commitment? Sew up one of these easy weekend sewing projects.

Sew up one of these easy weekend projects.

Want to use your sewing machine for something else besides collecting dust, but don’t have time to start a labor intensive project. Turn to “Sunday Sews,” (Chronicle Books, 2016) a new book by Theresa Gonzalez, with photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat and discover quick sewing weekend sewing projects you can finish by Sunday evening.

“Sunday Sews” includes 20 different designs that can be sewn during the weekend and that are fun, functional, and chic. The sewing projects run the gamut from drapey shift dresses, flattering tunics, tops perfect for layering, aprons, practical tote bags, and projects that are just perfect for homemade gift-giving.

The book features step-by-step directions with technical illustrations to make sewing a breeze. The instructions are super clear, with many of the sewing projects offering fabric, color, and print suggestions, as well as optional details to add a little bit more style if you have the time. Downloadable patterns are also available to go along with those projects that call for patterns. The gorgeous finished project photographs will inspire you to take on one of these easy weekend sewing projects. And if you are somewhat of a beginner to sewing, or need a quick refresher on the basics, the book starts of with a section on basic sewing techniques before diving into the sewing projects.

This is one tutorial book that you will find yourself working your way through to complete all the projects, but one of our favorites is for an on the go “Errands Bag.” Whether you plan on using it at the farmers market, as an overnight bag, or as a work bag, this everyday tote style bag is designed with plenty of space for your stuff. The design features a magnetic snap on the oversized patch pocket, which makes it an extra roomy tote.

Sew this bag up using the instructions below and make sure to get the book to try out the other weekend sewing projects.

Sew up one of these easy weekend projects.

Sew Up This Easy Errands Bag

MATERIALS REQUIRED

  • Pattern Pieces: Errands Bag, pieces 1–3
  • Notions: 2 yd/1.8 m leather strapping (1 in/2.5 cm wide)
  • 8 rivets (⅜ in/1 cm diameter)
  • 1 magnetic snap closure (¾ in/2 cm diameter)
  • Coordinating thread
  • Fabric and Yardage: 1 yd/1 m medium- to heavyweight cotton (54 in/135 cm wide) fabric for exterior
  • 1 yd/1 m medium-weight cotton (45 in/115 cm wide) fabric for lining
  • Sizing: Bag measures 17 by 19 in/43 by 48 cm

NOTES

  • All seam allowances are 1 in/2.5 cm, unless otherwise stated.
  • Fabric used features an 8-in/20-cm-wide stripe print.

PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

PREPARATION

Download, print, and assemble the Errands Bag pattern from www.chroniclebooks .com/sundaysews. Cut out all three pattern pieces.

1.Cut the bag exterior

  • With Right sides together, fold fabric in half with selvages lined up; press.
  • Pin pattern piece 1 (front and back) on Wrong side of fabric, according to Cutting Layout: Errands Bag.
  • Cut fabric along the pattern outlines.
  • Unfold remaining fabric (single layer) and pin pattern pieces 2 (pocket) and 3 (pocket flap), according to Cutting Layout: Errands Bag.
  • Cut fabric along the pattern outlines.
  • Transfer all markings to Wrong side of fabric.

2. Cut the lining

  • Repeat steps 1a–1c with lining fabric.
  • Unfold remaining fabric (single layer) and pin pattern piece 3 (pocket flap), according to Cutting Layout: Lining.
  • Cut fabric along the pattern outlines.

SEWING INSTRUCTIONS

3. Sew the pocket

  • With the snap shut, center and align the pocket flap about 4 in/10 cm above pocket, pin in place, and topstitch ¼ in/5 mm from top folded edge (see Figure 1).
  • Working through the flap’s top opening and using manufacturer’s directions, center and install magnetic snap top, ½ in/1.25 cm from lower edge seam, through the lining fabric only. Make sure that the snap is facing out on Right side of lining fabric, to align with snap piece on pocket.
  • Topstitch along the three sewn edges of the pocket flap ¼ in/ 5 mm from edge.
  • Fold and press the open raw edge of the pocket flap and pocket flap lining 1 in/2.5 cm to Wrong side and press.
  • With Right sides together, align all edges of the pocket flap with flap lining; starting at one corner stitch flap pieces together along one short side, along one long side, and up the opposite short side, leaving one long side open. Trim excess fabric from sewn corners, then turn flap Right side out. With a turning tool, gently push out the corners and press all seams flat.
  • Topstitch pocket sides to piece, ¼ in/5 mm from double-folded edges.
  • Center and align bottom edge of pocket with bottom edge of front with both Right sides facing up.
  • Following the manufacturer’s instructions, center and install magnetic snap bottom as marked on pocket piece.
  • Double-fold hem to the top edge of the pocket.
  • Double-fold hem to the pocket sides to the Wrong side and press.

4. Sew the lining

  • With Right sides together, align front and back pieces of lining along all edges; stitch together along both sides and lower edge.
  • Cut off excess seam allowance at the two lower corners.
  • Fold over and press the top edge of the lining 1 in/2.5 cm to Wrong side and stitch ½ in/1.25 cm from fold. Set aside.

5. Sew the bag

  • With Right sides together, align front and back pieces of bag along all edges, then stitch together along both sides and lower edge.
  • Cut off excess fabric at the two lower corners. Turn bag Right side out, use point turner to push out corners, and press all seams flat.
  • Fold top of bag over 1 in/2.5 cm to Wrong side and press. Then stitch ½ in/1.25 cm from fold.
  • Insert lining into bag, with Wrong sides together, and align both top edges with side seams matching. Fold both top edges together 1 in/ 2.5 cm to Wrong side. Press and pin.

6. Cut and attach the straps

  • Cut two 33-in/84-cm lengths from leather strapping.
  • Measure and mark 4½ in/11.5 cm toward center from each side seam, along top edge of bag on front and back using pins or water-soluble marker.
  • With Right sides together, align the end of one strap with top edge of exterior bag, placing the strap just inside mark made in step 6b. Pin in place. Repeat with the opposite end of the strap (see Figure 2). Do the same thing with the second strap on the other side of the bag.
  • Stitch around top folded edge of bag, ¼ in/5 mm from fold, catching bag strap ends in this stitching. Then stitch-in-the-ditch (or, into the seam), through all layers, along side seams 1 in/2.5 cm down from top edge.
  • With Right sides together, and the strap flat along bag, stitch across strap 1½ in/4 cm from top edge. Repeat at each strap join (see Figure 2).
  • Fold straps over at the bottom stitching, so that Right side of strap is now facing out.
  • Using your awl and a hammer, center and install two rivets on each strap end, making sure that the more decorative side of the rivet is on the Right side. Rivets should go all the way through to the bag interior.

Related on EcoSalon

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Sewing Basics: Master Your Sewing Machine With Step-by-Step Projects
Learn How to Make Your Own Clothes and Never Have Nothing to Wear Again!

Images and project used with permission from “Sunday Sews” by Theresa Gonzalez, photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat (Chronicle Books, 2016).

Jen Wallace

Jen Wallace shares her indie life by writing about making, creating, cooking, learning, playing, decorating, and pretty much anything else that strikes her fancy from indie biz tips to the modern history of the American hemline.