Sunday, March 28, 2010

Tutorial - Trash Bag for your Car (or Truck!)

Sooo... here it is!
  The Trash Bag Tutorial!

What you'll need:
1 Fat Quarter of Fabric A (cotton/quilting material) - if you use a print, be sure to line up patterns during assembly
1 Fat Quarter of Fabric B (PVC,nylon material)


  From Fabric A, cut two 9in x 12in rectangles and one 9in x 2.5in rectangle
From Fabric B, cut one 9in x 12in rectangle and one 9in x 10in rectangle


Take the 9x2.5 piece.  Fold hem under 1/4 inch.  Repeat.  Press seam and sew using straight stitch.


When you are finished, it will look like this:

Now, set this piece aside.

Place one 9x12 (B) and one 9x12 (A) with wrong sides together -set aside.


Now place second 9x12 (A) and 9x10 (B) with wrong sides together.


At top of piece, fold Fabric A under one inch, then fold down another inch so the fabric overlaps Fabric B.


Pin the seam and press.

Using 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew a straight stitch.


Repeat on opposite edge.


It will look like this when you are done.


Now the fun part!
Layer your fabric pieces in this order:
9x12 B (right side down)
9x12 A (wrong side down)
9x10 sewn piece (A right side down)

Pin fabric layers together at sides.
Your layered pieces should be in this order:


Then, pin 9x2 A to top of piece (right side down)  Your edges should meet all nice and tidy...


Using 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew a straight stitch or serge around the outer seam.
Note:  I prefer a serger for this to keep the edges from fraying, but I'm showing this with the straight stitch for the purpose of the tutorial.


Trim corners and turn piece right side out.  Use a chopstick to help push out the corners, but don't use too much force or you'll risk tearing your threads!


Press seams.


Now, this next step is optional, so you may skip it if you choose... but I prefer the look of a topstitch, so I'll add one in here along the outer border.  Stay as close to the seam as possible.
(If you don't have a serger, this also helps reinforce those frayable edges...)


You're almost done!
Now, you just need to add a buttonhole.
Important!:  Check your car to see how large of a buttonhole you'll need.  (This will depend on where you plan to hang the trash bag.  I hang it from my lighter and sew a 1.5 inch button hole.)

On top flap, fold fabric in half length-wise and mark line with fabric pen.


Now sew along the line using the button hole feature on your sewing machine.  Trim the opening.


That's it!  You now have a fabulous trash bag for your car!!


Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  If you have any questions or feedback, please contact me - I'd love to hear from you!