HANDBAG/PURSE MADE FROM SCRAP STRIPS. This bag is made from scraps of co-ordinating fabric cut into strips.

Here is the tutorial so you can make it too! (Half inch seam allowance throughout) 1. You will need: Enough fabric to make the lining, sides of the bag and handle. (Approx. yard). Five fabric strips 22 inches long x 3 inches wide. yard of quilters fleece or Vilene Thermolam compressed fleece. yard iron-on firm Vilene. 1 set of magnetic snap for closure.

2. Arrange strips side by side and stitch together along long edge. Press seams flat. Place iron-on Vilene on the wrong side of the strips and bond into place with iron.

3. You should now have a single piece approx. 22 x 12 inches. Cut a piece of quilters fleece to that measurement and either spray baste or pin to the back of the single piece.

4. Fold the piece in half and cut along the fold.

5. Cut two pieces of lining fabric to match. (Approx. 12 x 11 inches) Cut another 2 pieces of lining fabric 12 x 4 inches. This is the internal pocket. Place these two pieces on top of each other so that the right sides are touching. Stitch along the two long sides and turn the fabric right side out. Press.

6. Place the pocket on the right side of ONE piece of lining. Measure 3 inches down from the top of the lining fabric and place pocket so that the top of the pocket matches this measurement. Pin into place. Stitch along the bottom of the pocket, down both sides very close to the raw edges, and stitch a vertical line of stitching down the middle of the pocket. Press.

7. Mark the wrong side of both pieces if lining 1 inches from the top of the fabric and 6 inches from either end (the centre) Cut out two small circles of Vilene and iron them onto the wrong side of both pieces of lining fabric at these marks. Line up the magnetic snap fasteners and attach.

8. Cut 3 strips of lining fabric (2) 11 x3 inches and (1) 12x3 inches. Sew the two side strips and the bottom strip along the sides and bottom of the lining. Match up the corners and sew across the strips to join the together creating a mitred corner. Sew the other sides of the strips and lining together. Leave most of the bottom seam on one side unsewn. (This is for turning the bag out after you have attached the lining.)

9. Cut four strips of lining fabric to make the outside gusset and handle. (1) 12x3 inches, (2) 22x3 inches, and (1) 19x3 inches. Put the strip 19x3 inches onto one side for the moment.

10. Cut three pieces of quilters fleece to match the strips and either spray baste or pin onto place. Join the three strips to the outside fabric in the

same way as you did for the lining but complete all seams. (i.e. do not leave an opening at the bottom)

11. Insert the outside of the bag into the lining so that the right sides are touching. Line up the tops of the bag. Stitch around the top approx an inch from the raw edges. Do not stitch over the two end strips leave these free.

12. Use the gap in the lining to turn the bag out the right way. Use the two unsewn gaps at the top to pull the handle out the right way.

13. Fold the raw edges of the gap in the lining to the inside and stitch close to the edge. Push the lining to the inside. (It should now be looking like a bag!)

14. Remember that strip you put to one side? Now is the time to hunt around for it. You can use this to lengthen the strap to the length you want. Pin one end of the strip to one end of the handle. Adjust the length. Either leave the strip as is, or shorten the strip for a shorter strap. Cut a piece of quilters fleece to match and baste or pin. Stitch both seams.

15. Measure from one side of the handle to the other. Add 2 inches. (This is to line the strap handle.) Cut a piece of fabric to this length and make it 3 inches wide. Press half an inch under on both sides. Press half an inch under on both sides of handle. Pin lining to handle. Top stitch both edges making sure that the lining and the handle are both stitched down.

16. Tuck the ends of the handle lining into the bag lining. Topstitch across the handles parallel with the top of the bag. Press.

You have now finished your bag!