Lylah Quilted Velvet Book Bag

Comment

Protect your current reads in a stylish case with this luxe velvet book bag from Sophie Tarrant. Featuring a handle and snap button closure, this quilted book bag is made in a chic, dusty rose velvet and allows you to tuck in your book’s cover so that it stays in place while you travel. Sew this bag for the book lover in your life, as this gift idea is a sweet, thoughtful present for upcoming holidays like Mother’s Day.

Skill Level: Advanced beginner to intermediate

Finished Size: Custom-sized

Designer Notes:

Never press velvet directly. Always place a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric to protect the delicate nap.
Velvet has a directional nap, meaning the fabric can look lighter or darker depending on which way it’s cut. Before cutting your pieces, run your hand over the fabric to find the direction of the nap and make sure all your pattern pieces are laid out the same way for a consistent finish.

Materials:

Note: If your book is taller than 10″, additional yardage may be required.

Outer and lining fabric: Pink velvet, 2/3 yard (See Note above)
Quilt batting: One fat quarter
Medium-weight fusible interfacing: 2/3 yard (See Note above)
Heart-shaped snap fastener
Thread: Pink

Tools:

Water-erasable fabric pen
Tape measure
Ruler
Scissors
Sewing clips or pins
Snap fastener tool
Sewing machine

Piecing Instructions:

Begin by measuring your book. Wrap a tape measure around it, starting at the outer edge of the front cover and running it all the way around the spine to the outer edge of the back cover. This measurement gives you the full width needed for the cover. Next, measure the height of the book from the top edge to the bottom edge, along the spine. For example, the sample book measured 14″ wide and 10″ tall.
Use the book measurements to work out the sizes of the fabric pieces. Add 1 1/2″ to both measurements to allow for seam allowances and ease. The new measurements will be the cutting size for both the outer fabric and lining, labeled A (width) and B (height). For the sample book, both the outer and lining fabric pieces should measure 15 1/2″ wide (A) and 11 1/2″ tall (B). Draw these measurements onto the fabric (leaving a small border around the outer piece), but don’t cut them out yet.
Quilt the outer fabric. Cut a piece of quilt batting slightly larger than the A x B measurements and layer it underneath the outer fabric piece that was marked out in the previous step. Use a water-erasable fabric pen to draw a diagonal grid across the right side of the fabric, then topstitch along each line to quilt through both layers. Once the fabric is quilted, stitch just inside of the perimeter of the A x B measurements to secure all of the quilting lines. Then, trim the outer quilted fabric down to the A x B size. Cut the matching lining piece to the same A x B measurements, then back the lining with fusible interfacing to give the case extra structure.
Next, cut your pockets. To determine the pocket size, use half of measurement A and subtract 1/4″ to get measurement C. Cut two pocket pieces measuring C x B (The sample pockets measure 7 1/2″ x 11 1/2″.) Fold each pocket in half widthwise with the right sides facing out and press, then edge stitch along the folded edge to neaten it. Lay your lining piece right side up and position the pockets on either side, with the folded edges facing inwards. Align the side, top, and bottom edges neatly, then clip and stitch around the raw outer edges of each pocket using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Next, make the straps. Cut two 4″ x 17″ pieces of velvet and back each one with fusible interfacing. Fold each strip in half lengthwise and press to mark the center line, then open it back out. Fold each of the long edges in toward the center crease and press again, then fold in half to enclose the raw edges inside. The folded piece should now measure 1″ x 17″. Clip in place and edge stitch along the long edge of each strap to secure.
Make the snap tab. Cut two 2″ x 4″ pieces of velvet and back them with fusible interfacing. Place them right sides together and clip in place. Use a water-erasable fabric pen to round off one short edge, then stitch continuously around the edges with a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving the straight short edge open. Clip the curve, turn right sides out, and press. Align the heart half of a snap fastener towards the rounded end and attach to the tab.
It’s time to construct the book bag. Lay the lining piece (complete with pockets) flat with the right side facing up. Position the straps along each side edge with the loops facing inward, making sure they sit evenly on both sides (the sample straps were aligned about 2″ from the top and bottom edges of the lining fabric). Clip everything into place, then baste around the edge using a 1/4″ seam allowance to hold the pieces in position.
Place the quilted outer fabric piece on top with the right side facing down and the edges neatly aligned. Clip the layers together, then sew around the outer edge using a 1/2″ seam allowance and a 3″ turning gap along one long side. Clip the corners, then turn the case right sides out and press. Edge stitch all the way around the perimeter to neaten the finish and close the gap in the seam.
Place the book inside the case, then wrap the snap tab around and use a water-erasable pen to mark where the other half of the snap fastener should sit on the outer cover. Remove the book, then attach the snap fastener in the marked position. Put the book back inside and fasten the tab to finish the case.