Clicker Bags by Annette

The following instructions are for the lined clicker bags that Annette showed at our October meeting. For more information about clicker bags (such as how to prepare the metal carpenters tape), refer to the bluebonnet clicker bag instructions. The length of the metal strips in Annette’s bags is 8″, and no interfacing is needed.

Self-lined bag (using the same fabric for the lining and outside):

• One piece of fabric 8.75″ by 27.5″

Construction:

1. Fold the fabric in half, right sides together.
2. Stitch around the open sides using 0.25″ seam allowance. Leave a 4″ hole for turning in the short side.
3. Turn right side out and press.
4. Close the hole using your preferred method (Steam-a-Seam, hand-stitching, etc).
5. Tuck the fabric inside to create the pouch and press.
6. Fold over the top of the bag 1.25″ and press. This will create the casing for the metal carpenters tape.
7. Starting from a side seam, topstitch halfway along one side. Insert a tape strip.
8. Continue topstitching most of the way around. Slide in the second tape strip, then finish stitching. You’re done!

Contrast fabric bag (using a different fabric for the lining):

• Outside fabric 8.75″ by 13.5″
• Lining fabric 8.75″ by 15″ (the longer size hides the seam under the casing)
• The lining will be visible on the outside as the casing for the metal tape

Construction:

1. Place fabrics right sides together. Stitch both short sides using 0.25″ seam allowance.
2. Pull the two pieces apart. Fold the lining and outside fabrics in half and match the seams for the short sides in the middle. Stitch both long sides using 0.25″ seam allowance. Leave a 4″ hole in the lining for turning.
3. Turn right side out and press flat.
4. Close the hole using your preferred method (Steam-a-Seam, hand-stitching, etc).
5. Tuck the lining fabric inside the outside fabric to create the pouch. Press.
6. Fold over the top of the bag 1.25″ and press. This will create the casing for the metal carpenters tape.
7. Starting from a side seam, topstitch halfway along one side. Insert a tape strip.
8. Continue topstitching most of the way around. Slide in the second tape strip, then finish stitching. You’re done!