How the Happy Camper Bag is Made

Hello! The Happy Camper Bag has been very popular lately. And because it is one of my more difficult patterns, I have been getting some questions about just how difficult it is. If you have sewn bags with zippers before, I think you'll be just fine. But instead of me being the judge I decided to post pictures of the sewing step by step. It will help you get an overall feel for the project.

Let me show you how it's made. This version was sewn using my Strawberry Festival Fabrics produced by In The Beginning Fabrics.

First things first, there is cutting pieces for the bag. The easiest way to do this is with a rotary cutter and ruler.

There are appliques that are traced onto the paper backed fusible webbing. For more on how to applique you can see this post here. 

Once all of the appliques are cut out, they are ironed onto the front and the back of the camper pieces.

 Here is a close up of the front.

Stitching the appliques to secure them can be done using the free motion embroidery method or straight stitching around the outside.

Next is the zipper. It's pretty easy since it's a straight strip of fabric you are adding it to. There are loads of pictures for this step in the pattern. I also have another detailed post about adding zippers here.

After the zipper is created the ends of the bag are added to each of the ends.The blue is the bottom of the camper and the green is the grass.

Handles are sewn and added to the top of the same fabric strip.

Piping is added around the front and back of the camper. The sides are pinned on top of the piping and then binding is pinned on as well. All four of those layers are sewn together.

 This is what you end up with when both sides are sewn on.

That binding will eventually cover up all of those raw edges.

The bottom is the last piece to be added. It has either plastic canvas or Peltex in the bottom to keep it stiff. It's sewn on with the binding on the outside as well.

Now if you have ever made a quilt, the binding is sewn the same way. It is wrapped around the raw edges and hand stitched down. Wonderclips are great for keeping it in place.

Once the binding is sewn, you'll turn the bag right sides out.

The last step is to sew on the flower buttons. These buttons are from Riley Blake.

Ready to sew your own? Get your copy here.

I have seen several Happy Camper Bags on Instagram and Facebook. I would love to see yours as well!

Have a great day,

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