Tutorial: Carpet Bag for 18 Inch Dolls

DIY Carpet Bag for 18 inch dolls

Tutorial
Carpet Bag for 18 Inch Dolls or similar sized dolls

I actually made this particular carpet bag for a topsy turvy doll I made for a lovely lady who is a fan of Anne of Green Gables. As I was preparing to make it, I realized it would be the perfect size for an 18 inch doll so I quickly made notes and took photos so I could do a tutorial. Sadly I never thought to take a photo of the finished carpet bag with my 18 inch doll.

I used upholstery sample pieces of fabric for my carpet bag.

I tried to choose colours that would most resemble a carpet, thus the term carpet bag.

Materials:

- 2 coordinating pieces of fabric

(see photo for measurements, though if you read through the tutorial, you'll see that you can use a smaller piece for the upper portion of the bag)

- medium-large button

- cording or leather for handles

(I used macrame cording)

- fabric or leather scraps for the squares that cover the ends of the handles

Below are the original dimensions that I used for my carpet bag.

I ended up adjusting the top portion of my bag so probably could have used 2 pieces that were 3.5 instead of 4.5 inches wide. Please see my photos below to see if that will work for you.

Here are my 3 pieces laid out.

 

With right sides together, sew the 2 seams.

Then, top stitch so that the seam lies flat.

Pin the side seams.

Sew the side seams.

Take the bottom corners and flatten them so that they look like the below.

This will provide boxed corners.

Sew across the corners.

Turn the bag right side out.

Fold the top edge to the inside.

This is where I folded a LOT to the inside. I probably could have cut less fabric but I was winging it at the time, and documenting as I went along, so no do-overs! :) 

Here you can see I've folded over quite a bit.

If you'd like, sew that top seam now.

I tend to combine steps if possible so you'll see I do the top seam and handles in one step.

You don't have to! 

 Sew the handles in place now.

Place the squares over the ends of the handles.

I had hoped to have scraps of leather to use but didn't have any, so I just used the same fabric as the top of the bag. I think it would have looked better with a contrasting leather square instead.

Sew the squares in place.

As with all handles, I sewed the box and the X to provide maximum durability for the handles.

Sew the decorative button in place.

 And you're done!

I didn't finish the edges inside as I didn't think it was necessary in my case. 

I know it will be used simply for decorative purposes.

Thanks all.