Fat Quarter Tutorial; Peg Bag
One of my favourite things about Springtime is being able to hang washing (or fabric!) out to dry, so I thought a peg bag would be perfect for this month’s fat quarter project.
You will need:
- 2 fabric fat quarters – iron to get any creases/folds out.
- Small coat hanger (a child’s size is perfect)
- Piece of paper to make a template (I joined some together to make a piece large enough)
- Paper scissors
- Sewing machine with a universal needle
- Thread
- Rotary cutter & cutting mat (or fabric scissors)
- Tape measure or ruler.
- Pins/clips
Remember to back stitch at the start and end each time you sew – this is essential to secure your stitches.
- We’re going to start by creating our paper pattern. Place the coat hanger down on some paper and draw around the top edge (approx 3/8” away from the coat hanger) to create the curved shape. Then measure 40cm / 16” down from the top of the curved shape, drawing a horizontal line. Now draw two vertical lines to join the edges of the curved shape with the horizontal line you’ve just drawn. Hopefully this makes sense when you see the picture!
Cut this out.
- Place the paper pattern on your first fat quarter and cut it out. Then place it on your second fat quarter and cut it out, but this time extending the length by 2” – this will be the front of your peg bag.
- Take the front, longer piece and measure up approx 23cm / 9” from the bottom edge. Draw a horizontal line at this point, and then cut along it, splitting your front piece into two sections.
- Press a double fold hem (¼”, then ¼” again) at the top edge of the lower front piece and the bottom edge of the upper front piece. Now top stitch each of these hems.
- Lay your back piece down, face up. Place the upper front piece face down, then place the lower front piece on top, face down. Pin or clip around the edge.
- Sew all around the outside with a ¼” seam allowance, leaving a gap of approx 1cm at the top centre (This will be where the coat hanger goes through).
- Snip across the corners, trim off any loose threads, then turn your project through so it is right sides out and give it a good press.
- Insert your coat hanger and there you go – a lovely, unique peg bag ready for those fresh spring days ahead!
To make the peg bag a bit sturdier you could interface the fabric pieces with a medium or firm interfacing before sewing.
If you get stuck on any aspects of the tutorial, please feel free to send me a message and I’ll help.
Share your finished makes on instagram, using the hashtag #SewHayleyJaneFQ and tag me @sewn_on_the_tyne
See you next month,
Tamlyn xx