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EASY Flying Geese Cube Storage Bag | Tutorial & Pattern
Easy |
Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps
You’re going to love this practical, yet pretty storage bag that opens out and holds its shape like a basket, but closes with a magnetic clasp to keep your things safe.
About the Bag
This bag is handy for storing offcuts of fabric, balls of yarn, sewing patterns or even toys! It opens to form a 12in (30.5cm) cube-shaped basket so you can easily see what’s inside and effortlessly add or remove things, and then it closes up with a concertina fold on each side and fastens with a magnetic snap on the flap to create a bag shape which is easy to transport. The Flying Geese patchwork adds an element of fun: I’ve chosen bright colours on a black background, but it would look just as stunning in pastels or your favourite pretty colours, and you can use more fabrics for the Flying Geese if you wish. The foam stabilizer makes it a sturdy but lightweight basket.
Note: use a ¼in (5mm) seam allowance
Finished size: 12 x 12 x 12in (30.5 x 30.5 x 30.5cm)
Making the Flying Geese
If you’d like to make the Flying Geese in different sizes for other projects, first decide on the finished size of each unit; the width should be twice the measurement of the height. The four-in-one-go method of making Flying Geese explained here creates four identical Flying Geese units.
What do I need for my Flying Geese?
For this method you’ll need one large square for the centre triangle (the goose) and four small squares for the background. Add 1¼in (3cm) to the desired finished width of the unit to obtain the size of the large square, and 1in (2.5cm) to the desired finished height of the unit to obtain the size of the small squares before cutting them out. For instance, if you want your finished Flying Geese unit to measure 8 x 4in (20 x 10cm), your large square will be 9¼in (23cm) and the small squares will be 5in (12.5cm).
By the end of this project, you’ll have:
- Made a handy storage bag/basket.
- Mastered a simple four-in-one-go method of making accurate Flying Geese.
- Discovered how easy it is to sew with foam stabilizer.
What should I make next?
If you’re looking for other storage solutions, you’ll find plenty here at the Half Yard Sewing Club™. For example, there’s the Pro Storage Container with Dividers, the Zipped Storage Case and the Storage Pyramid Sewing Project. If you’re looking for quick and easy projects, check out the Quick and Easy Fabric Bowls and the Large Portable Craft Bag, while if you’re looking for a sewing challenge, there’s the Craft Storage Bag which has multiple pockets including an elasticated mesh pocket and a clear PVC pocket.
Need some help or inspo?
If you have any issues making this project – or any tips you’d like to share – make sure to visit the forum where you can exchange ideas with other members.
- You can also check out our Pinterest.
- Chat to other members via our Facebook page too.
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You will need:
Equipment
- Sewing machine with a standard needle
- Dressmaking shears
- 5in (13cm) circle template
- Pins
- Fabric clips to hold the layers while you sew
- Ruler and erasable fabric marker pen
- Optional: rotary cutter, cutting mat and quilting ruler for cutting the Flying Geese
Materials
- 44 x 27in (112 x 68.5cm) of outer fabric: I used a black spotted cotton fabric
- 44 x 27in (112 x 68.5cm) of lining fabric: I used a bright cotton fabric
- Fabric for the Flying Geese: I used four bright plain colours
- 65 x 14in (165 x 35.5cm) of single-sided fusible foam stabilizer: I used Bosal In-R-Foam
- 8 x 5in (20 x 13cm) of interfacing or fleece for the flap
- Magnetic snap fastener
- Button to decorate the flap
- Two lengths of 1in (2.5cm) wide webbing for the handles, or you could make your own by cutting two 4 x 19in (10 x 48cm) strips of fabric; fold the long ends to the centre, then fold the whole strip in half and sew along each side
Cut:
- Eight 4¼in (10.75cm) large squares for the Flying Geese: I used two in each of four different colours
- Thirty-two 2½in (6.5cm) small squares for the Flying Geese cut from your outer fabric
- Eight 13 x 4in (33 x 10cm) strips of outer fabric for the bag
- Two 5 x 8in (13 x 20cm) pieces of outer fabric for the flap
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Project steps:
Step 1
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Step 2
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