We are loving this Schlep Bag.  You can find the pattern here.  However, we did find a few glitches in the pattern, so after you print it, go over the following tips:

1.  In the cutting directions, bullet 2, it calls for you to cut two 8 1/2″ squares and two strips 7″ x 22″ for the handles from a 1/2 yard of fabric.  Actually you have only bought 1/4 yard fabric for the handles and top diamonds, so you will not have enough fabric to do this.  We made both handles from ONE 7″ x 22″ piece of fabric.  You will have enough fabric to do this, and if you follow the instructions below to make the handles, they are the perfect size and they will work out great!

2.  In the layout diagram, some of the triangles are turned wrong.  Follow this diagram instead:

3.  Here are photos of the process of sewing the sides of the bag:

4.  For the lining, you need to repeat step 3 for both bottom corners of the lining–the pattern only tells you to do this step on one corner.  This can be one of the trickiest parts to explain–if you don’t get it, here are some photos that will help:

5.  For the handles, fuse a 7″ x 22″ piece of decor bond, fuse-a-shade, or fusible fleece or batting (we prefer decor bond) to your 7″ x 22″ piece of handle fabric.  After fusing, cut the piece in half to yield two 3.5″ x 22″ handles.  Fold and press each in half lengthwise.  Open up and press 1/4″ toward the center on both 22″ sides of the handle.  Fold back together and then topstitch along both 22″ sides of handle.  Continue on to Final Assembly. 

ENJOY!

Also loving the free tutorial for the flower I used on this apron:

Imagine the fun you can have embellishing with this great fabric flower…Click here to view the free tutorial.

Fabric Requirements:

3 Fat Quarters

1 yard fusible vinyl (optional)

Cutting:

• From one fat quarter cut a 14.75” square for main part of apron
• From a second fat quarter, cut a 9” x 14.75” rectangle for main pocket and two 2” x 22” rectangles for ties
• From the third fat quarter, cut a 6” x 7.5” rectangle for small pocket

Putting it all together:

Fuse vinyl to right side of all pieces of apron EXCEPT ties according to manufacturer instructions.

Fold 6” x 7.5” rectangle in half the long way, right sides together.  Stitch the left end.  Turn.  Baste to bottom right corner of 9” x 14.75” main pocket piece as shown:

Fold the 9” x 14.75” main pocket piece in half the long way, wrong sides together.  Baste to the lower edge of the 14.75” square as shown:

Stitch lines in the main pocket as desired for dividers.

 To make ties, fold each 2” x 22” tie piece in half the long way, right sides together.  Stitch along one end and down the long side.  Turn and press.

Fold the 14.75” square in half, right sides together.  Finger press the fold to mark the halfway point.  Open the square up and lay the ties close to the fold on the right side of the fabric as shown:

 Fold the top of the square back down.  Stitch around the three open sides of the apron, being careful not to catch ties in stitching, and leaving an opening on one end to turn the apron.

Turn, topstitch opening closed.  Topstitch the other end to match.

Brown Bear

Fabric Requirements:

2/3 yard Brown Bear Panel

¼ yard Brown Bear People

½ yard Brown Bear BROWN Fabric

½ yard Brown Bear ORANGE Fabric

¾ yard Brown Bear Stripe

¾ yard Brown Bear Blue

Cutting:

1. From the Brown Bear Panel, fussy cut 20 squares. I cut down the center of the green strips. You will end up with “squares” that are 5 ¾” tall and 6” wide.
2. From the orange, cut four 2 ½” strips. Set one aside. Sub-cut the other three into twenty 2 ½” x 5 3/4” rectangles.
3. From the brown, cut four 2 ½” strips. Set one aside. Sub-cut the other three into twenty 2 ½” x 6” rectangles
4. From the brown and the orange, cut one 2 7/8” strip. Subcut into ten 2 7/8” squares.
5. From the people, cut four 6 ½” squares
6. From the Stripe, cut four 6 ½” strips
7. From the blue, cut five 2” strips. From one strip, cut four 2” x 6 ½” rectangles. Set the other strips aside.
8. From the blue, cut five 2 ¼” strips for binding.

Piecing:

1. Sew a 2 ½” x 6” brown piece to the bottom of each of the 20 brown bear squares.
2. Make 20 orange and brown half square triangles: mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of your 10 orange 2 7/8” squares, then place the square rights sides together with a brown square. Sew ¼” on either side of the diagonal line, then cut along your drawn line. Open and press the seam to one side. This will yield two orange and brown half-square triangles. Repeat with the remaining 9 orange and brown squares.

3.  Add a half-square triangle to one end of each of 20 orange 2 ½” x 5 3/4” rectangles. Make sure you sew the orange edge of the half-square triangle to the orange rectangle as shown:

4.  Add this unit to the left side of the unit made in step 1:

1. Repeat for all 20 units, then piece the units together in 5 rows of 4 blocks.
2. Add an orange 2 ½” strip to the right side of your quilt (measure and trim to length prior to sewing)
3. Add a brown 2 ½” strip to the top of your quilt (measure and trim to length prior to sewing.
4. Add a 2” blue strip to either side of your quilt (measure and trim to length prior to sewing.
5. Add a 6 ½” border (striped fabric) to either side of your quilt (measure and trim to length prior to sewing.
6. Add a blue 2” strip to the top and bottom of your quilt.
7. For top and bottom borders of quilt, sew a 6 ½” people square, then a 2” x 6 ½” blue rectangle, then a 32”strip of striped fabric, then a 2” blue rectangle, and then a 6 ½” people square together. (Make sure the people are all right side up). Add these strips to the top and bottom of the quilt.

Layer and quilt as desired.  Bind with blue 2 1/4″ strips.