Reusable bag of the month: strawberry bag

I have certainly gotten behind with posting these! For my second bag I chose to make a Strawberry Bag that folds into triangular pockets. I began with a pattern downloaded from craftpassion.com, but altered it to attach handles separately, as I experienced a lot of frustration in trying to sew bias tape around the handles in the original pattern, and the triangle pocket was too small. The original pattern can be found here:
Strawberry bag pattern and tutorial

This is how I made my version.

Cutting out the pieces

For the main bag you will need to cut two pieces 14.5 inches wide x 15 inches long (37 cms x 38 cms). For the handles cut two pieces 2.5 inches wide x 16.5 inches long (6 cms x 42 cms). For the casings cut two pieces 7.5 inches x 2 inches (19 cm x 5 cms). From contrasting fabric cut one 7 inch (18 cms) square and then cut this in half diagonally to make two triangles for the pockets.

Make the pocket

Turn the ends of each casing piece in 1/4 inch and sew them down.

Fold them in half and mark the middle with a pin. Fold the longest side of the triangle down 1/4 inch and iron. Then mark the middle of this with a pin. Pin the casing to the long side of the triangle, matching the centre pins.

Sew them together, then sew a line along the casing 1/4 inch from the top.

Sew the bag together

Pin the pockets to the bottom corners of the bag pieces, wrong sides together, making sure that each is on an opposite corner, so that they will meet when you sew the bag sides together. Baste them to the bag close to the bottom and side edges.

Then, right side together, sew the sides and the bottom of the bag together. Overlock the seams to neaten if you like.

Make the handles

Right sides together, fold each handle in half and sew along the long sides.

Turn right side out and iron, so that the seam is in the centre of each handle.

Attach the handles to the bag

Pin the handles to the top of each side of the bag, with each end 3 inches (8 cm) from the side seams. Make sure the handle seam is facing up. Baste the handles to the bag.

Turn the top of the bag over 1/4 inch, including the handles if the turn.

Then turn over again to make a hem and pin and sew around the top.

Finishing off and folding the bag into the pocket

Thread a 25 inch (64 cms) long cord through the casing on the pocket, taking it all the way around both sides of the pocket, then tie the ends together with a knot.

To fold the bag into its pocket, you could simply stuff it in, but I folded the sides in and then rolled it into the pocket.

Pull up the cord, and now we're done!

Remember: Build someone up. Put their insecurities to sleep. Remind them they're worthy. Tell them they're magical. Be a light in a too often dim world. Gratitude App.