Home » Blog » Sewing » The Amethyst Project Bag

The Amethyst Project Bag

Being a member of a Modern Quilt Guild has it’s benefits!  Our local Modern Guild, KCMQG, arranged to have Sara Lawson come for a lecture and workshop!  Sara’s lecture was very informative and she even gave us each a swatch sample of many different kinds of interfacing.  Sara’s workshop was sold out and all the attendees were excited (and some were a little nervous) about making the Amethyst Project Bag.  Let me tell you all about it!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. ? Read my full disclosure policy here.

Sew Sweetness Amethyst Project Bag
Bag made by Sara Lawson – Image provided by Sew Sweetness

This bag features ample storage space for any project or hobby – quilting, drawing, hand-sewing, and so much more! The lining features a zippered pouch, mesh zippered pocket, and elastics for holding pens or other items. The bottom of the case has an elastic buckle strap to hold quilt blocks, books, and rulers.  I plan to put some current UFO’s in mine and easily take it to a Sew Day or Quilting Retreat!  Let me tell you what you will need to make your own!

Amethyst Project Bag SUPPLY LIST

  • Amethyst Project Bag Pattern
  • 3/4 yard of Exterior Fabric
  • 1 yard of Lining Fabric
  • 1/2 yard of foam interfacing  – like Bosal Foam
  • 2 yards of 20” wide Pellon SF-101 Shape Flex fusible woven interfacing
  • 1-1/2 yard of Pellon #71 Peltex fusible ultra-firm interfacing
  • 40” handbag zipper (I get all my zippers here)
  • 9” all-purpose zipper
  • 14” all-purpose/dress zipper
  • 14-1/2” x 5” piece of mesh (lots of color choices here)
  • 1/2 yard of 1/4” wide elastic
  • 1 yard of 1” wide elastic
  • Plastic side-release/parachute buckle (it should be able to accomodate 1” wide strap) – check out the color choices here.

Basic Sewing Supplies Needed

  • Sewing Machine
  • Cotton Thread (I recommend a 40 wt for bag construction)
  • Rotary Cutter
  • Heat erasable pen
  • Acrylic Ruler )
  • Rotary Cutting Mat
  • Iron & Ironing Board

Amethyst Project Bag – construction

As I mentioned above, we constructed this bag in a workshop.  There were close to 20 of us gathered together.  Prior to class, we were instructed to pre-cut and fuse all our fabrics.  I had a tough time figuring out what fabric to use for my exterior, so I decided to sew a bunch of my saved selvages together to create my own exterior fabric!

Amethyst Project Bag Making the Selvage fabric
Do you save your Fabric Selvage too? Can’t you tell that I’m obsessed with Cotton + Steel?

We got started at 9:00 am and worked through the early afternoon.  The first thing we did was assemble the interior.  Many of the class participants went outside of the pattern and made some custom modifications to the pattern.  Some added more pockets while others made their elastic spaces wider to accommodate different sized tools.  I followed the pattern and love how it turned out!  Here is my interior.  I added the elastic after I took this picture…

Amethyst Project Bag Interior 1
Again – I’m loving these Cotton + Steel prints from a few years back. It’s so nice so sew from my stash!

I think the most challenging part of the pattern is fitting the long zipper around the bag.  Sara to the rescue!!!!

Amethyst Project Bag Sara Lawson to the Rescue
Thanks for all your help, Sara!

If you ever have the opportunity to host Sara at your local guild, you will definitely want to also book a workshop.  We all had such a great time and Sara is a wonderful instructor!  Sara also explains this pattern in a video.  She takes you through the pattern (step-by-step) and helps you finish!  Check out this little trailer that explains her instruction video.

You can learn more about getting her full video (over 2 hours of instruction) right HERE.  Several of us finished and most of us were REALLY close to finishing.  Whenever I take a class, I am usually a Chatty Cathy and finish mine after the class is over.

Amethyst Project Bag – all finished!!!

Amethyst Project Bag Collage

I really love how my Amethyst Project Bag turned out!

Update (one year later):  I still use this useful bag!  It currently holds my “forever” UFO.  I take it with me to sewing retreats so that I can be sure to work on it each time.

And who can resist a group photo!???!!

I hope you take some time and enjoy this fun pattern!

Happy Sewing!

16 Comments

  1. I love your selvage bag! What a great idea!

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      Thanks Fanny! It was fun to make!

  2. How do you cut your selvedges? do you cut them at a certain measurement from the end?

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      Hi Debbie and thanks for your question. I cut my selvedges about 1.5 to 2 inches from the end. This leaves me more than enough room to sew onto another item. I hope you try this pattern soon. You will love it! Happy Sewing! ~Nicole

  3. I didn’t know about this pattern. I love it! I bet my niece would love one for her art supplies! Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      Hi Amy! I bet she would LOVE it for her art supplies! I hope you enjoy making one for her 🙂

  4. Sara was great, but you really saved me from myself that day!! You are so well organized and I love all your handmade pouches and bags! Love how your Amethyst bag turned out!!

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      Awe, thanks Jenn! I love sewing classes with you!

  5. Wow. That looks like a fun class. I’ve never taken a group class before. Bucket list!

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      Hi Sharon! I truly hope you get the opportunity to take a group sewing class. I have made so many good friends, while learning alongside other folks! Happy Sewing! ~Nicole

  6. Camille W says:

    How do you get your bag to stand up without being all slouchy and falling over?

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      Hi Camille and thanks for your question! There are lots of different types of interfacing involved in this bag. The part that gives it the structure is the Fusible Foam and the Peltex. Used in combination – the bag stands to attention! Try it out! You will love it! ~Nicole

  7. Melanie F says:

    I am also saving fabric selvages! I think I’m going to make a fun quilt with mine. I love this project. I would also use it to store UFO’s!

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      I love the selvage quilt idea. I still have a bunch of selvage remaining (this project didn’t even make a dent in my stash)! I better keep on sewing! Cheers! ~Nicole

  8. Barb Nelson says:

    Wow! love the salvage idea….your bag turned out quite cute and love the colors you chose for the
    interior. Nice job Nicole…..and I love Sara’s videos, her web site ….sew sweetness……is great for MANY
    bags….but I just bought some cork from her and LOVE the colors…….Thank YOU SARA!!!

    1. Nicole Moore says:

      Thank you for the kind compliments! I need to order some cork from Sara. She has so many great options!!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *