A Finish – Snappy Bags with French Seams

I’ve had a few requests to do a tutorial on how I do French Seams on my scrappy snappy bags.

I start by making my panel for the bag. Usually I do a QAYG panel with a normal backing/batting sandwich but recently I was inspired by Gail’s post on her Charm Bag project to use leftover 2 1/2” squares to make my panels.

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Once the panels are constructed to the size I want, I add a row of squares to one side of the sections which is one block less on each side. This makes the bottom portion of the bag when the 2 panels are joined on the bottom seam.

I then sandwich the panel with batting and backing. The backing becomes the lining for the bag and is trimmed to leave 2” on all sides. The panel is quilted and I trim the batting back to the edge of the panel/front of the bag.

My next step is to take the lining fabric at the top of the bag and fold the edge over 1/4”. This is then folded over and around to the front of the bag to make the casing for the measuring tape strips.

Once it up is sewn I insert the measuring tape strips which have painters tape wrapped around the ends so the tape doesn’t put holes in the fabric.

My next step is to fold the bag in half right sides facing. I sew the side seams with a 1/4” seam, making sure that I do not catch the metal measuring tape with my needle. Then I trim the lining fabric back to 1/2”.

I trim the lining fabric on one side of the seam back to 1/8” and fold the wider fabric side around to the front and tuck the edge under. I then top stitch next to the edge of the fold to seal the rough edges on the bag seams in to the French seam. This prevents fraying and keeps the contents of the bag from catching on the edges.

Once the bottoms are boxed I do the French Seam on that seam as well.

Turn the bag right side out and count is as a finish. 😉. One more for the Food Bank Christmas Hampers 😄🧺🎄

I do hope this helps you to understand French Seam construction. It’s one of my favourite ways to finish seams that might be seen, or are stressed a lot and might fray. My pillowcases and tops made with delicate fabrics (eg. lawn, silk, etc.) are always finished using this method.

If you have questions or don’t understand a step, please leave a comment and I can hopefully clarify it. Thanks for dropping by.

😉 Carol

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Kathleen McMusing Tips and Tricks