Run and Play Bag Sew-Along: Day Three |Sew Today, Clean Tomorrow

Today we get to see our bags really start taking shape. If you've fallen behind don't panic, you can find the previous blog posts here:

Run and Play Bag Sew-Along Introduction and Competition
Run and Play Bag Sew-Along: Day One
Run and Play Bag Sew-Along: Day Two

Let's jump straight in, shall we?

Magnetic Snap
Installing the magnetic clasp is super easy if you follow the instructions on the pattern. Be sure to double check your measurements before making any cuts though. The last thing you want to do is rush in and end up with your snap a half an inch to the left of where it is meant to be.

I like to use my seam ripper to make the slits for the magnetic snap. Simply start at one end of the line you've drawn and slice to the other end. Be careful though. It is easy to use too much force and end up cutting a slit much longer than is required.

Once the magnetic snap is in place, put the piece face down on your table and push the prongs of the snap outwards. Some prongs bend with little force while others require quite a bit more.

Magnetic Snap

Darts
Fold at the centre of the dart so that the dart legs match up. I recommend pinning or clipping the dart in place to prevent it moving while you sew.

Fold and clip the darts

How seriously cute are these offcuts!!!

Creating the External/Lining Shells
Here are a few hints for sewing your pieces together to create the external and lining shells:

Nest the dart seams to reduce bulk. That is, have once seam facing in one direction and the other seam in the opposite direction. You will find the seam then snuggles in nicely to make a neat,bulk-free seam. (Psst...this is a great tip when making a quilt).

Nesting seams can help reduce bulk

To make it easier to align the raw edges, pop one of the pieces 'inside out' so that it sits inside the other.

Snuggle the pieces together

Remember to leave a gap in the lining so you can turn your bag in the right way once it's all sewn together. I like to reinforce the start/end of the turning gap with a few extra backstitches to ensure it doesn't come apart when turning the bag.

Be sure to leave a turning gap

Eep!!! Now it's starting to look like a bag. Tomorrow we will work on the flap and finally have all of our pieces ready to put together on Friday. I can't wait to see your creations in the Facebook group 2 Ladybugs, 4 Little Monsters and a Pattern Lover Group or on Instragram using the hashtag #runandplaysal.