Instead of throwing them away, cut selvage strips from your fabric edges and sew them into a handy, summery zip-top bag. It’s the perfect size to use for make-up, a travel sewing kit, or to stash other treasures.

Finished size: 5 3/4" x 6 3/4" Selvage Bag

Skill: 1 Time: 1 Cost 1

You will need:
•  1/4 yard backing fabric
•  1/4 yard lining fabric
•  Assorted 9" long fabric selvages, 1" to 1 1/2" wide
•  Two 8 1/2"x11" sheets of paper-back fusible web*
•  7" zipper
•  6" of 1/4" wide satin ribbon
•  Hand sewing needle
•  Matching sewing thread
•  Machine embroidery thread*
Iron & board, pins, ruler, sewing machine with zipper foot, sewing scissors

*The following products were used for this project: Sulky Rayon Thread • The Warm Company Steam-A-Seam2 paper-back fusible web.

Note: For product information, see end of article.

•  Print and cut out full-sized pattern here.
•  Use 1/4" seam allowances.
•  See photos for details and placement.

STEP 1. Cut pieces. Use pattern to cut two each of lining, backing, and fusible web. From one print, cut two 4"x1" strips for zipper ends.

STEP 2. Place strips. Apply fusible web to backing fabric pieces and peel off protective paper. Beginning at one edge, lap selvage cut edge with adjacent strip and repeat across front and back of case, leaving finished edges exposed. Vary strip widths for interest. Fuse in place (Photo A). Trim strips to backing shape (Photo B).

STEP 3. Stitch strips. Edgestitch finished selvage edges in place (Photo C). Option: Instead of straight stitching selvages together, use decorative stitches built into your machine (Photo D). Set stitch width to span edge and use contrasting thread for greater visibility and to add interest to plain selvages without printing.

STEP 4. Prepare zipper. Fold zipper ends in half lengthwise and press. Stitch to each zipper end with fold toward zipper (Photo E).

STEP 5. Insert zipper. Press under upper edges of bag front and back 3/4". Center zipper and pin folded edges along teeth. Use a zipper foot to stitch close to fold on both sides of zipper (Photo F). Extend stitching to extensions (Photo G). Trim excess zipper length.

STEP 6. Seams. Stitch bag side and lower seams. Press open. To make box corners, fold center seam on top of side seam and pin (Photo H). Stitch across.

STEP 7. Lining. Stitch side seams and lower seam of lining. Make box corners in same way as in Step 6. Press under 3/4" at upper edge. With wrong sides together, stitch lining to bag just beyond zipper stitching (Photo I).

STEP 8. Finishing. Turn bag right side out. Press lower edges from corner to corner. Thread ribbon through zipper pull and knot.

Sources:

Sulky of America
(800) 874-4115
sulky.com

The Warm Company
(425) 248-2424
warmcompany.com