Birdsnest Bag part 3

This is the final part in the free Birdsnest Bag rug hooking pattern. You can find the free pattern PDF file in part 1, and print it out for your own use.

Now that you have 3 pieces of wool cut to bag size, we can sew it together. With right sides together, pin together the hooked piece and one of the other pieces of wool.

But now that I have completed my bag, I think that there may be an easier way with less hand sewing, which I will mention after these directions. I have not experimented with putting a bag together that way, so I can’t be sure of the finished product, so I will leave it up to you to decide which way to do your bag. Insert those directions here, and then skip to making the strap and attaching it to the bag.

Using a zipper foot, sew them together leaving most of the top open for turning right side out. Sew as close as you can to the hooking, catching the pre-sewn wool strip as you go. This should happen automatically if you pressed the strip away from the hooking.

Trim the wool seams (don’t trim the hooked backing fabric) to an 1/8” seam allowance, and then snip the two top corners to reduce bulk at those places, and turn right sides out. Press, using a pencil or butter knife to help push the seams out as far as they will go, and into place as you steam the seams. Whip stitch the top opening together.

Repeat this process for the other two pieces of wool, sewing them together. The goal is to make the back of the bag the same size as the front.

Set aside as you make the bag strap.

Make a sturdy strap by fold your 2″ X 50″ wool strip in half twice and sew a long zigzag stitch the length of the strip right down the center.

Now we are ready to assemble the bag.

With right sides out, pin the bag front to the bag back, and hand-sew the long curved side seam with pearl cotton or embroidery floss. I used large primitive stitches.

As an alternative idea with less hand sewing, instead of sewing the hooked piece to one piece of wool, you may machine sew all four layers of the bag together. Add the remaining 2 pieces to the bottom of your stack that you have pinned together. Sew all layers together, leaving the top seam completely open. Trim the long curved wool seam allowances to 1/8″. Turn inside out, with the hooking showing on the front, and the 3 layers of wool to the back. Steam press, folding the seam allowance at the top of the hooking to the inside. Trim the 3 layers of wool at the top open seam, so that they are a 1/4″ taller than the top edge of the hooking. Whip stitch this edge together, so that the 2 back layers are sewn together, and then sew the remaining piece of wool to the top edge of the hooking.

Attach the ends of the handle securely to the sides of the bag. Embellish with vintage buttons.

The whip stitches can be as decorative as you like, using a contrasting color to show them off.

I enjoy having many button boxes to find the size and shape and color that I want.

Your very own Birdnest Bag. The size is reminiscent of the days when ladies wore pockets tied about their waists. I feel very old-fashioned when I wear my little bag.

If you have enjoyed this project, tell someone else about it and my blog.

Have a creative and fun day, Karen

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