Bow Tie Quilted Bag

To make the bow tie panels you will need sixteen 3.1/2" squares in both the dark brown and the light brown, and sixteen 1.1/2" blue squares. 

As ever, I found it easiest to cut a 3.1/2" strip across the width and then cut that at 3.1/2" intervals to make the squares.

Place a small blue square in a corner of each of the large brown squares (light and dark) and sew across the diagonal of the blue square.

Trim the bottom 2 layers of the corner 1/4" from the seam and fold the remaining layer down to complete the square.

Fold the triangle down.

Sew a light brown square to a dark brown square and then sew the 2 pairs together.  Repeat with all the other squares.

You should now have 8 of the bow tie blocks - 4 each for the front and the back of the bag. 

Sew these together in pairs . . .

. . . and then fours.

In order to frame the bow tie panel, I added a 1.1/2" strip of blue at top and bottom and then down each side . . .

. . . . and then the same again with a 1.1/2" strip of brown fabric.

I have used circular bamboo handles on this bag so I needed 4 straps for them. 

I used a strip of brown fabric 1.1/2" by 8" with each long edge folded into the middle and then the whole length folded in half. 

Stitch along the length to secure the strap.

Place 2 straps (folded in half) each on the front and the back bag panels. 

Line up the raw edges of the straps with the top of the panels, in line with the seam between dark and light brown squares and angled in towards the middle. 

The photo above left shows where to place the straps, top right shows them with the bag handle inserted, which must be done at this stage. 

Pin firmly in place.

For the bow tie quilt block bag lining, cut two 16.1/2" squares and with right sides together sew down the 2 sides to create a tube.

With the right side facing in, gently pull the tube of lining down over the bag, taking care not to dislodge the straps.

Pin and then sew round the top of the bag. 

I tend to use a 1/2" seam for this to make sure that all layers (particularly the straps) are caught in the stitching.

Pull the lining up over the bag so that it is right side out.  Turn under, pin and sew a small hem at the end of the tube. 

This will be at the bottom of the bag.

Push the lining back inside the bag, gently pushing out the corners. 

It's worth running a line of stitching round the top of the bag now just to hold the layers in place. 

Bag complete.  Well done.