Library Bag...

Here in Australia, it's back to school time next week. Our main holidays are in Summer, beginning a few days before Christmas and ending just after Australia day (26th January). Most schools require the younger students (roughly ages 5 - 12) to have a library bag, so they can borrow books each week from the school library. 

Here's the library bag I made, ready for the new school year. I think the fairy tale fabric chosen is simply perfect for a bag that's going to be used to carry books. It's one I've used before, but had run out of... Mary Engelbreit for VP by Cranston and picked up at Lincraft. The contrasting polka dots, Swirly Girls by Michael Miller came from my stash, as did the solid red for the handles.

The bag is a quick and easy make, using the Library Bag tutorial, here at Threading My Way. There are several different additions and variations to the basic tutorial...

• Using contrasting fabrics in a library bag
• Appliquéing book titles to a library bag 
• Adding a Dresden plate to a library bag
• Incorporating a patchwork block into a library bag

Obviously, I've sewn my bag using the first variation with contrasting fabrics. I made two small changes to the original. Firstly I added velcro to the top of the bag, to prevent the books from falling out. Secondly, I made the handles longer, so the bag can be worn as a shoulder bag. Each handle is 16 inches (40cm) in length.

Although it's simple to make, this little bag is sturdy enough to stand up to the wear and tear it will receive, while at the same time, protecting all the books it will carry throughout the year.

... Pam