Easy Peasy Bag
By Ashley Davis
Easy Peasy Bag Introduction
The Easy Peasy Bag is a simple project for sewing and crochet beginners. It’s a fun project for creative people of all ages! All you need to know is how to do basic sewing and how to make a single crochet. You will begin by crocheting the bag, then you will make the inside lining, sew the lining to the inside of the bag, and you’re done! You can choose whatever yarns you want and even make changes to make this simple design into something fantastic.
A Brief History of Bags
Purses and handbags originate from early pouches used to carry seeds, religious items, and medicine. Early on, both men and women carried pouches. In the 15th century, a purse was a traditional gift from a groom to his bride. The bags typically were
elaborately embroidered with an illustration of a love story. In New Guinea, centuries ago, both men and women carry large knit bags which looked like nets decorated with feathers, seashells and other mementos. The more shells a person had was a sign that they had many people who lived by the sea. Bags became very personal, they held the things you needed for the day and the things you wanted to have, just for comfort or hobby.ple began carrying items from home when they traveled, even on short trips. Items such as a deck of cards, knitting, or a diary, as well as beauty products and personal items could be brought along. Traditional wallets began as early as the 16th century, as small leather pouches which a drawstring tie could loop through a belt. Also in the 16th century there were ‘sweet’ bags that women used often as lavender bags to scent their handkerchiefs. Pockets, called bagges were also introduced into clothes around the same time and allowed people to carry small personal belongings. By the late 18th century, women’s clothing was more
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form fitting and pockets were not easily accommodated into the garment. Women began carrying small, often silk embroidered drawstring bags or purses called reticules, or ‘ridicules’. These bags often carried a handkerchief, fan, dance card, perfume, or face powder. Reticules were smaller version of what women used to carry their needlework. This is likely the origin of the Dorothy bag which has since emerged as shoe bags, dress bags, laundry bags and today, gym bags.
The Victorian period brought a large variety of bags. Bags often were made to coordinate with the outfit and were now made of many different fabrics. By the mid 1800’s, bags changed from simply drawstring styles, to a popular flat style, that could be made in either a circular or square shape and was generally heavily decorated with beading and needlework. Patterns and directions for making
these types of purses became popular in ladies magazines at that time. There were also smaller versions, used as coin purses which often included a metal fastener. By the early 20th century, women were carry bags every time they left home, even for short periods while hats were popular accessories that began to lose popularity by the early 20th century, handbags became increasingly popular. The
Today’s women are gone from home for longer periods of time, frequently working or if not, often with children along. The size of the typical bag has increased to meet the need. Eleanor Roosevelt is noted as a sing of the time as a very busy and active woman herself; she carried a large leather handbag not necessarily typical of the time. Shoulder bags became popular during World War II and twentieth century technology opened up a variety of new f textures and materials from synthetics to hand-woven straws. Casual bags were made in rain proof materials and special tote bags for the beach developed. The variety
of fabrics carried over to all hand bag designs and it has become common place for women to have many handbags, to meet the need of the occasion. It became fashionable for men to carry bags during the 1970’s though they were generally hobo style casual bags and even today, while it is not unusual to see a man with a messengebag, hobo or some other form of tote, it is surely not common.
success of the handbag has much to do with the fact that it has adapted to the needs of the time. Handbags held cigarettes, sunglasses rather than seeds and medicines. Years ago, it was lady-like to carry as little as possible. A small bag was typical.
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Materials -A sheet of fabric at least 4ftx4ft -Two types of thick yarn -10mm crochet needle -Sewing needle and thread
-A piece of cardboard -Scissors
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Making your Bag You can make your base any size your heart desires. Beginners should probably start out with a small base. If you’re up for a challenge and have a lot of creativity, try cutting out a non-rectangular base!
Step One
Cut your cardboard into a rectangle. (It will represent the base of your bag, so size it appropiately.) 1.
Step Two
Start with a chain that is the width of your rectangle. 2.
Step Three
Add rows to your chain until you have made your base. 3.
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Step Four
Start on the sides.
Step Five
After adding three rows to the sides, change colors.
Step Six
Now that the base is complete, you can start on the sides of the bag. Crocheting the sides of the bag is the longest process. Depending on how large you want your bag to be and how quickly you crochet, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours to complete the sides. Beginner crocheters should probably start with a small bag.
Build up the sides until the height is to your satisfaction.
Step Seven
On the last two rows, change to your first yarn color. 4.
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Step Eight
Make the handles two feet long with two rows each in the second color.
Step Nine
Position one handle, then sew it to the inside of your bag using a needle and thread.
Step Ten
If you are known for being a bit rough on your purses and bags, think about making thicker handles. Make sure to sew those handles on very securely!
Repeat with other handle. 8.
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Making your Lining 1.
Step One
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Step Two
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Step Three
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Fold the sheet of fabric in half.
Trim the fabric to size, leaving about an inch at the top.
Seam along the edges of the fabric, but make sure to leave the top opening.
When choosing your fabric, try to find one that will match the colors of your bag. It may help to wait to buy fabric until after the bag has already been made. If you want to make any pockets, now is the time! Also keep in mind that the side you want to show should be the side that is not visible when folded.
Step Four
Turn the lining upside down and notice the points that stick out at the top.
Step Five
Fold the points in towards the center, forming a rectangular base.
The fabric will most likely not stand on its own. If you want yours to stand up, try stuffing it with plastic bags or extra fabric. If you want your creases to be extra visible, use an iron to make perfect creases.
Step Six
Create creases to match the size of your bag.
Step Seven
Unfold the triangles and sew along the creases. 4.
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Step Eight
Place the lining in your bag.
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Step Nine
Fold the top of the lining to fit your bag.
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Step Ten
Seam the edge of your lining to the top of your bag.
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