Sew a useful carryall

1 Cut out all the bag components according to the cutting guide, strengthening the leatherette pieces with interfacing if required. Fold a leatherette loop piece in half lengthways, right sides together, and sew into a tube with a 5mm seam allowance. Turn right sides out and flatten so the seam is in the middle. Repeat for the other seven loops.

2 Find the middle of the leatherette top band and pin two loops 4cm from this mark either side, pinning the pieces 2mm from the edge. Position the remaining loops at 8cm intervals in the same way and tack in place. Sew the leatherette top band to the tartan top band, right sides together on one long edge with a 1cm seam allowance. Open out the tartan and topstitch 5mm from the seam.

3 To make the straps, fold in 1cm on each long edge before folding in half lengthways to enclose the raw edges, then pin. Topstitch the seam 5mm from the fold on both sides. Pin one end of each strap to the leatherette top band between the two loops at each end of the band. Make the carrying loop in the same way and pin next to the straps so it bridges the gap at the ends of the band.

4 Pin and stitch the main tartan piece to the bottom edge of the leatherette top band, right sides together with a 1cm seam, securing the straps as you do so and lining the tartan if desired. Open out and topstitch the tartan 5mm from the seam. Stitch the leatherette base to the bottom of the main tartan piece in the same way.

5 Sew the tartan and cotton outer pocket pieces right sides together with a 5mm seam allowance, leaving a 6cm gap along one edge. Clip the corners, turn right side out and press. Topstitch one short side 5mm from the edge. Pin the pocket to the centre of the main tartan piece. Topstitch around the other three sides to secure. Fold the entire work in half, right sides together. Sew down the long edge with a 1cm seam without catching the straps.

6 Find the centre of one long edge of the leatherette bottom and pin to the bottom of the bag seam. Pin all of this side then repeat with the opposite edge and stitch with a 1cm seam allowance, leaving a 1cm gap at either end and the short sides unsewn. Pin the short sides to the bag, adding small tucks at the corners, Sew as before and turn right side out.

7 If using stabiliser foam, zigzag stitch the cotton lining to it, right side up around the edges. Fold the inner pocket piece in half to make a 16.5cm x 20cm panel. Sew around the edges with a 5mm seam, leaving a 6cm gap in one side. Clip the corners, turn out and press. Topstitch the top fold 5mm from the edge before pinning and topstitching the remaining three sides of the pocket to the centre of the lining, 5cm down from the top edge.

8 Fold the lining in half, right sides together, and sew down the long seam (don’t turn out yet). Trim the excess foam from the seam allowance if used. Slip the lining over the bag, line up the back seams and pin the top edges together. Stitch with a 1cm seam allowance. Slide the lining down the bag so the bottoms line up, creating a tartan cuff around the top.

9 Turn the bag and lining inside out so the lining faces out. Fold in 1cm along the bottom edge of the lining and on all four edges of the cotton bottom piece. Pin and oversew the bottom onto the cotton lining, enclosing all raw edges. Turn the bag right side out, straighten the cuff and press.

10 Make a drawcord by tucking in the short ends before folding in 1cm on both long edges of the strip. Fold in half lengthways to enclose the raw edges and topstitch 3mm from the folds. Thread the drawcord through the loops and tighten to close the bag.