The patchwork bag

Patchwork articles develop artistic taste and teach thrifty use of fabric scraps. For the bag, cotton scraps of different colours are used (the same method also works with faux leather). Plan of work: first a sketch of the bag and its paper pattern are made; then squares with a finished side of 5 cm are cut with 1 cm seam allowance on every side, that is 7 cm. The squares are first sewn into rows and then the rows are joined; each time the seam allowances are pressed. In our example the two sides of the bag need two patchwork panels of 35×40 cm: 35 : 5 = 7 squares across and 40 : 5 = 8 squares down, so one panel takes 7 × 8 = 56 squares. The pattern is laid on the panel and the main piece is cut with a seam allowance round it; lining and batting are cut a little larger, since they shrink slightly when quilted. For the strap a long piece of whole fabric (for example 80×10 cm) is taken. Working with faux leather: do not iron it, or only on the lowest heat through a damp cloth as the teacher directs (it melts and sticks); use clips instead of pins (they leave holes); it needs a stronger needle. Safety: cut card and fabric with sharp scissors or a rotary blade on the table, fingers away from the edge; use a rotary cutter only under the teacher on a cutting mat, blade covered when not in use; pass scissors closed; use iron and machine only under the teacher.