Nutsaboutknitting's Blog: How to sew a liner inside a Knit or Crochet bag

Nutsaboutknitting's Blog: How to sew a liner inside a Knit or Crochet bag

How to make a slip ring to Crochet into

I wanted to share the method for making a slip ring that you can also crochet into.
 This is a method that allows you to make an unlimited number of stitches into the ring. This method can also  be used to create my flower blossoms.

Start by

taking the tail of yarn with your left hand, wrap it over your  thumb and  index finger on you right hand. Holding both yarn tails with your left hand, take your right two fingers around the outside of the 2 tails, till your fingers touch , then slide the loop down.
this makes almost like a little noose,  leave this loop open about an inch, and then insert hook into the ring formed, and pull up a loop , then make as many  stitches around the loop as you need. Pull tail to close. vualah!


I hope you'll give it a try. It allows you to make an unlimited number of stitches into the ring :)


Feel free to contact me anytime, http://www.nutsaboutknitting.etsy.com/

How to sew a liner inside a Knit or Crochet bag

 Good Day,
  I wanted to share some info on how to make a liner for a knit or crochet bag, as well as placing a magnetic snap.

Here is how you can get started:

  First things first. Picking your liner fabric for your bag. I suggest picking out a fabric that is a nice sturdy cotton, but remember what ever you pick, whether it be complimenting or contrasting fabric, it should be something that the wrong side of the fabric, which can sometimes be visible through the holes in knit or crochet, is something that won't be too noticable. Also,something with a tight weave is better than it being too thin.

  Next, you need to measure your bag.Side to side and then top to bottom. Determine where you would like the liner to come up to inside the bag. I usually place mine about 1/2 inch from the top.
After you have measured your bag, Which may or may not be perfectly square "which is o.k.", You can measure your liner fabric. Your liner "will be" square and that will help the shape of your bag as well. Unless of course your bag is shaped like a "trapazoid "then, we may have some difficulties. But, we'll assume it's not for now.

After you have measured your liner,you will want to add a 1/2 inch seem allowance on  the left , right and bottom, and leave 2 1/2 " inches for the top of the liner. Then trace your shape and cut to size.

O.k., so now you have your liner. At this point I like to pin the sides and do a test fit. You are better off finding out now if it's too big or small, than after you invest the time sewing it.

When you are sure you liner is the right size. Then your ready to sew. Sew on the wrong side of fabric.You can either use a machine or you can sew it by hand using a back stitch. Remember, "do not to sew the top closed",LOL, but we've all done it at least once!  At the top of the liner fold it over twice about 1 1/4 inch folds. Make sure your raw edge is facing the outside. This is  the side you won't see. You can iron this for now and it will hold the crease. Or, if you like you can pin it temporarily. Place inside your bag
one more time to make sure it will fit properly. Right side facing the inside of the bag, wrong side touching your knitting or crochet.
Remove liner one last time and now you are ready to place your snap.

You will need one magnetic snap approx 1" male and female sides and two reinforcing rings.

One 2 1/2" squared piece of either interfacing or I like to use leftover, faux leather, jean material, something thick and  that will not tear easily. lay your liner flat and mark the exact middle, next mark approx 2" down from the top of the liner. This is about where you snap should be placed. If you need to tweek it a little that's fine. The important thing is to place the mark in the same spot for both sides. Remember you are marking this on the side of the fabric inside the bag you will be seeing.

Inserting snaps: These snaps have two prongs you will need to make 2 very small holes to poke them through.

You can use a darning needle or a very small hole punch. Turn your snap over and mark where these two prongs hit, Then, exactly where you made your mark, make 2 holes. Then, make two corresponding holes in your separate piece of interfacing. Your ready to install snap .

Your going to sandwich your snap! Place the prongs of your snap through your liner fabric then through the interfacing, and then place reinforcing ring and bend prongs flat to tighten. Do the same thing to the other side.





You will fold your extra  fabric allowance at the top of your bag over the entire snap, towards the outside of the liner. the part you won't see on the inside of the bag. Be sure to cover it completely.

Now, your snaps are in on both sides. Just one more step. You need to sew around your snap. You can either do this by machine or by hand. It is a little tougher on the hands because of the 2 layers, but managable. You'll want to sew a square around your snap. approx 2" x 2" I usually go around it twice, just to make sure it's on there nice and sturdy. When your done sewing, test your snap. close them together and pull. You should feel that it's nice and sturdy and on there really well. If you think it needs to be sewn one more time. Now is the time to do it. 

        

                 Your finally ready to put your liner in!

Place your liner inside the bag and pin it all around the top evenly. Start with the side seems lining up and then work your way around. Once it is evenly placed, You can begin to sew in the top. You can do this by hand as well, Take your needle with sewing thread and begin by inserting the needle in to a bit of the knit or crochet fabric, catch a bit of it and then back out through the back of the liner, and then back in to the crochet fabric. Sewing in this manor will give you a nearly invisible join. Or of course if you are comfortable with your sewing machine you can opt for making a visible stitch. Just remember to go very slowly on machines because your tention is hard to match the knitted fabric. It is very easy to make the mistake of going too quickly and ending up with more knitting bunching up then liner.

If you have any left over fabric you can make a nice insert for the bottom. I like to do this because it not only reinforces the inside, but you can always remove it to clean out your bag. Just measure the bottom of your bag, cut a piece of thin plastic,

you can even recycle one of those flopping vinyl folders you might have lying around. Cut plastic to size and then cut a piece of fabric twice that size. leave a 1/2" seam allowance  turn inside out, sew 3 sides, turn right right side out, insert plastic. Tuck in last remaining end and sew closed. vualah! Push down into the bottom of your bag. It should stay snuggly in place.

I hope that this has encouraged you to try a liner in one of your knit or crochet bags. It is well worth the added effort : )