Bottle Bag - V2 - 2026

I have redesigned my bottle bag for 2026 in hopes of making them more time efficient and still keep the key features.  I am very pleased with the results.

This one measures 12.75" T and 3.75" square finished.

For this bag I chose some medium blue fabric which is 50% cotton and 50% polyester which should wear well.

The design has 2 strips which are finished individually then set at 90 degrees in a cross pattern matching the middles of each strip.  This square is top stitched to form the bottom of the bag.

The side panels are then top stitched to the one next to it until all are stitched and I have a tall bag.

The handles are 1" W x 11" long and are stitched to the top edge of the bag with X reinforcement.

To decorate it I added a red strip of fabric along the top edge about 1.5 inches from the top.  It was kept raw edge and zigzagged along both edges.  I created 2 tails hanging down from the cross over where the button goes.

I added a blue button at the crossing of the red fabric and stitched it by hand. 

I added a "My Bag" tag along the top edge between the handles.  This is your bottle bag to carry bottles to a party and then bring the bag home until the next invite.

This bag was made large enough to hold one of the large champagne wine bottles, a 1.14 L liquor bottle or a 2 liter of pop/soda so it will handle just about any other bottle.  Water bottles, food bottles, vinegar and or oil bottles and many others that can be given as a gift.

The bottom is double to provide some cushion for glass bottles.

The flannel is quilted to the outer layer to ensure no separation of fabric.  

The bag is completely finished inside and out with no raw edges.

The lining is navy regular polyester type fabric which aids helps in sliding the bottle in and out of the bag.

The bag is sturdy and the side seams provide body and can stand on it's own.  It will be good for bottles of smaller sizes.

Notes:  Should I add more padding in the bottom?

             After checking my 2024 model - it only had 1 handle so maybe that would work on this bag.

Sewing Project - Book Sleeve - Pin Stripe

I chose 100% cotton fabric from a men's shirt for the outside of this bag/sleeve.  Really nice crisp fabric.  I chose black thread for this project.

I created some cotton poly fabric from some of squares I got from the box of fabric donated to me.  I used 4 squares and sewed them together staggering the seams and then trim the excess and added it back to the length to get what I needed.  

I cut all my layers the same size 12 inches wide and 19 inches tall.  Pin Stripe outer fabric, flannel, and black taupe patterned fabric I made. The stitching I did to attached the flannel to the outer fabric was a rectangle on the front and back about 2 inches away from the edge.

I created my handles from the cotton poly fabric squares of the patterned fabric.  I cut a stripe then folded the edges into the center then ironed it half again.  I placed 4 lines of stitching both outer edges and then 2 in the middle. The handles measure 1.25 inches wide and were cut to 12 inches long.

Tacked the handles and black elastic in place then placed the bags one inside the other and sewed the top edges together leaving a gap to turn it inside out. Turned right sides out and ironed flat then pushed the lining into the bag.  I top stitched the top very close to the edge then added another line of stiching 1/2 inch from the top.

I chose a beige button but I would have preferred a gold one.

For information on the "My Bag" Line

Sewing Project - ReUsable Bag - Navy and Taupe Squares

This is the last of the 7 inch cotton poly squares in the Navy and Taupe which I received for free.  I paired it with some navy microfiber cloth to have enough fabric to complete the project. I created two 6 square panels then serged all the seam edges. I then sewed the 2 panels together with a French Seam hiding all the raw edges which created the bottom of the bag.

Realizing that it was not tall enough and I needed handles as well I dipped into my good microfiber fabric and chose this navy.  Works well with the pattern in the squares. I cut the navy panel 12 inches wide and ironed it half to 6 inches tall.  I then measured the width of my bag and sewed the strip to be exactly the same width then serged that seam.  Now I sewed the  navy panel to the top of the squares bag with the serger then top stitched fabric to the serged edge from the top on the squares piece.

I then changed my thread to navy for the rest of the project.

I ripped my handles to 3 inches wide and 41" inches long.  I sewed them and turned them inside out.  I fold the raw edges of each end to the inside leaving me a 40" handle.  I pinned the bottom of the handle to the bottom on the first rows of squares 5" inches in from the right and left side.  I created my reinforced squares on the bottom and the spot where the handle meets the top of the bag.  The handle is top stitched on both edges for both handles.

I added a decorative stitch along the top of the bag to keep that fold in place and to add my elastic to the inside of the bag which I can use to roll up if I want it to take less space.

This bag will replace my shopping bag.  This one I made a year ago. It is polyester and is very thin but I just loved the color so I just enjoyed for as long as it was going to last.  

For information on the "My Bag" Line

Sewing Project - Pojagi Wrap Beige and Blue

I've been thinking about doing a big Pojagi project so I decided I needed some practice before tackling it.

It does need a change in thinking to do this with the sewing machine - especially if you are using one or two single sided fabric.

I was given a gift of a box of fabric by Michelle at ReImagined Fabrics.  Thanks so much!

I have sorted all the precut squares and many are cotton polyester or all polyester.  To gain the benefit of Pojagi thinner fabrics are best. There are some cotton ones as well but I was focusing on the thin ones.

The beige in this piece is a very thin cotton poly blend and has no right side.  You can see in the photo where the texture of the curtain shows right through the beige. The squares were cut to 9.5 inches. 

The patterned pieces are very polyestery but a bit thicker and does have a right and wrong side.  Gorgeous pattern and jewel toned colors.  The squares were cut at just under 7".  I found this video about sewing Pojagi on a sewing machine.

I decided that I wanted all my double seams on same side or "top" of my wrap.  This video "Rules" of Pojagi Seams by the same person does a good job of explaining this.  I did get one of my squares right side to the back but decided to leave as that was early on and this was just practice. Later, I did undo 2 seams to get one square right side to the front. 

It is very difficult to plan and decide on sizes of fabric needed.  I just started sewing and then aimed to create rectangles and cut the excess fabric away to achieve that.

I just made a turned over hem around the edge with the double lines on top.  This measures 24 wide x 26 inches tall.  It will wrap a gift or can be used as a topper on a table cloth. I did lose track of time but this project took at least 4 hours to complete.

I think my goal would be to create a piece of reversible fabric then make a sewing project from it. Tackling the pajogi and sewing project at the same time would be too much for me.