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October is such a fun month to bring a little seasonal sewing into your home, and the Pumpkin Carry All is a project I loved creating for fall. It has a pieced, pumpkin-inspired shape, a jack-o'-lantern appliqué, sturdy handles, and plenty of room inside for whatever you would like to carry.
I made this bag using fabrics from my Boho Batiks collection. The finished bag measures approximately 14" × 4" × 11", making it a great size for carrying sewing projects, books, fall treats, or everyday essentials.
Therm O Web products play an important role in this project, from creating the appliqué face to giving the finished bag the structure it needs.
Fabric and Supplies
Therm O Web Products
The HeatnBond products help with the appliqué and give the different parts of the bag the structure and stability they need.
Begin by cutting and piecing the fabrics for the front and back of the bag. The different Boho Batiks prints create the patchwork look of the pumpkin and give you an opportunity to play with color and print placement.
This is where the personality of the Pumpkin Carry All really begins to appear.
Use HeatnBond Lite to prepare the eyes, nose, and smiling mouth. Trace the appliqué pieces onto the paper side of the adhesive, fuse them to the wrong side of your fabric following the manufacturer's directions, and cut out the shapes.
Arrange the pieces on the bag front using the center markings as your guide. Once you are happy with the placement, fuse everything in place and topstitch around the edges to secure the appliqué.
Next, add HeatnBond Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the exterior pieces. This gives the bag the soft structure it needs to hold its pumpkin shape.
HeatnBond Light Weight Fusible Interfacing is also used throughout the project to provide extra stability where needed, including the lining, handle ends, and closure strap.
The fabric handles are constructed around cording, which gives them their rounded shape.
HeatnBond fusible products help support the handles and handle ends before they are attached to the bag. A Quilty Hemostat or your favorite turning tool can also be helpful when turning the small handle ends right side out.
October projects are a great place to have some fun with embellishments, and Therm O Web HeatnBond Sparkle Paste is an optional addition to this bag.
Try adding a little shimmer to the jack-o'-lantern face, highlighting a few sections of the pieced pumpkin, or adding small sparkling details around the appliqué. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying and finishing your Sparkle Paste.
You can also personalize your bag with embroidery floss, buttons, ribbons, or rhinestones. The pattern even includes the option to add a felt leaf tassel for another fun fall detail.
Once the exterior, handles, closure strap, and lining are prepared, assemble the bag following the pattern instructions.
After turning everything right side out, tuck the lining inside, press the top edge, and topstitch around the bag. Finish by adding the button for the closure strap and, if you'd like, your felt leaf tassel.
There are so many ways to use the Pumpkin Carry All throughout the fall season.
Use it as an everyday bag, fill it with a small sewing project for a day out, or make one for a child to carry during fall activities. You could even fill it with a few favorite treats or sewing supplies and give it as a handmade October gift.
Changing the fabrics, appliqué details, and embellishments also gives you plenty of ways to make your Pumpkin Carry All your own.
Therm O Web readers can enjoy one free month in the Sew A Story Pattern Club.
Inside the Pattern Club, you'll receive one new craft pattern and one new quilt pattern each month, along with step-by-step guidance and creative inspiration.
If you enjoyed making the Pumpkin Carry All, you'll find plenty of other projects to keep you creating throughout the year.
Use code: THERMOWEBFREEMONTH
Be sure to subscribe to the Sew A Story YouTube channel so you never miss a new tutorial, sew-along, quilt-along, or behind-the-scenes look at upcoming projects.
I can't wait to see the Pumpkin Carry All you create.
by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story
