If you know someone with a walker, this little tote could come in very handy. This particular walker is not the one I made this for — I’ll get pictures on the other one soon. This walker could have used a larger bag with longer straps, and you can adjust this pattern to your needs.I used a double-pull purse zipper because I think they are easier to grip and open/close.I used Velcro to attach the straps because I thought that would be easier on arthritic fingers or on the fingers of a disabled person.Incidentally, this pirate fabric is the school colors and mascot of our high school here in Winfield, Ala., if any of you are locals and are interested!
Here’s our own Celeste modeling her school pride with her new bag, which I admit could have been a bit bigger, but I didn’t have the walker handy when I made this.
Supplies
(Click fabrics for direct links for purchase at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.)
Pirates Black / Gold
Polka Dots Black / Gold
Craft Fuse interfacing
Purse zipper
Velcro
About a yard of each fabric, depending on how you want to mix and match. I had more of the pirates, so I also used that for my lining, but you could use the less-dominant fabric for your lining instead; about 1/3 yard of sew-in Velcro; a purse zipper at least the width of your bag; a yard of heavy interfacing like Craft Fuse.
The pattern
You should be able to click this picture for a better view. This is your pattern. It’s all straight lines with the lengths all marked on the pattern. Draw this up.Feel free to change the dimensions — you can easily make it wider or taller. If you want it fatter on the bottom, make those little square cutouts bigger. This particular bag measured 13″ wide x 12″ tall.
The process
First, cut out your lining fabrics by folding on the line that says “Fold here for lining.” Cut two pieces.
Unfold that part above and now cut on this line where it says “cut here after cutting lining.” Now you have two separate pieces so that you can have two contrasting fabrics on the outside of your bag. If you just want a single fabric, just cut two more pieces the same as your lining pieces.
Now you have these two pieces. Cut 2 each of the top piece from one fabric and 2 each of the bottom piece from another fabric.
Outer bag pieces are on left, lining pieces are on right.
Also cut two pieces of stiff interfacing, like Craft Fuse, from each outer bag piece.
Let’s start sewing! Start with the interior pockets. Oops. We didn’t cut those out yet. OK, cut out four pieces that are the width of your bag and about 6 inches high. Place two pieces right sides together and sew only along the long edges. I think I did a 1/4″ seam allowance here, but it doesn’t have to be too precise.Turn right-side out. Your short edges are raw edges. Press smooth. Repeat on other pocket.
Top stitch the top edge. My fabric is not directional, so it doesn’t matter which edge I did, but yours might.
Lay your pocket on one lining piece and sew along the short edges (within what will be the seam allowance of the bag so you don’t see the stitching) and along the bottom, close to the edge. Only the top is open now.
Draw some divider marks. I did pen slots in the center of each pocket. I made them 1″ wide. Mark the lines and then stitch, starting at the sewn bottom edge of the pocket and sewing toward the open top edge.Do these steps for both pockets/lining pieces.
Now we’re going to make some straps. My straps are 5″x3.5″. NOTE: take a look at the walker you’re making this for. If it has a big foam cushion around the top bar, like the one in my picture, you’ll need longer straps. If it’s just a plain, skinny bar like the one I actually made this for, they can be smaller like this. You’ll need three.First, fold under about 1/4″ and press, then press the whole thing in half lengthwise (not shown).Then fold the long edges toward that center crease and press.Finally, fold the whole thing on that first crease again and press, hiding the raw edges inside. (One short edge will still be a raw edge, though.)
Stitch along all folded edges.Then add one side of a piece of Velcro to each strap end. Mine are 1.5″ long.
For the outer bag, sew the bottom, contrasting fabric piece to the top piece as shown above at left.Press open and top stitch. This home dec, tightly woven fabric can sometimes cause the stitching to skip around a bit. I find a sharpened needle, going really slow plus also setting the stitch length longer all help to get more even top-stitching.
Now attach your straps to one side of the outer bag. Use my spacing as an example. Velcro should face down and the raw edges of the straps align with the raw edge of the top of the bag.
Time to add the zipper. Place the zipper face-down on the top of one bag piece. The zipper I had on hand was extra long, So I just moved the zipper pulls way over and out of the way. Stitch the zipper to the top of the bag using a zipper foot. If your zipper just fits your bag, you may need to stop at some point and move the zipper pulls out of the way.
Now add the other side of the Velcro to the bag. I used bigger strips here, about 3″. This way, when the straps wrap around the bar of the walker, there is some adjustability.
Place the other side of your zipper tape along the top of the other outer bag piece and sew.
You’ll end up with this.
Now add the lining. Lay your bag like this, so you’re looking at the wrong side of your zipper.
Along that top edge of the zipper tape, place one of your lining pieces face-down and pin.
I actually like to sew from the other side so I can see my stitching lines and then I sew over the stitching lines. So in this picture the lining piece is underneath.I realize I have two rows of stitching. Please ignore the second one. I top-stitched my pieces too soon and had to take it out. I always do that. Grrrr. You’ll get to that later.
Here you’ve got one of the lining pieces attached. When you sew and then fold it back, you get a nice finished edge along the zipper. Now repeat on the other side of the zipper.
It looks like this. That piece I’ve folded back is my other lining piece and it’s face-down. Sew it to the top edge of that zipper.
Now you’ve got this. (Outer bag is on top, lining is underneath.)
Now you’ll top-stitch close to the zipper through both layers on either side. Make sure your straps are up and out of the way.
Close up of top-stitching.
Now you’ll flip your bag so that the lining pieces are right-sides together and your outer pieces are right-sides together. Open your zipper!!! This is imperative! Pin all the way around.Sew down each side and the bottoms, but on the lining, leave a big hole for turning the bag right-side out.You’ll sew right to the edge of the corners. I did a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Box the bottom corners by pinching each one so that the seam allowances match up.
Sew a 1/2″ seam allowance across.
Turn right-side out through the hole and push out the bottom corners of the outer bag. Then turn in the seam allowance of the hole and press. Top stitch it closed. Push the lining inside of the bag and press/steam it pretty.
