School Book Bag with optional Pencil Pouch
1. Cut one rectangle 30 inches x 14 inches for body of bag, two strips 16 inches x 3 inches for the
bag handles, and one rectangle 15 inches x 10 inches for pencil pouch.
(Skip to No. 6 if you prefer not to sew the pencil pouch with zipper. The pouch will be added
later by other volunteers.)
(Use ½ inch seams unless otherwise instructed.)
2. For pencil pouch, you will need a 9-inch zipper. If you have a longer zipper, measure the desired
length and be sure to make a new stop by whip-stitching tightly across the coils 8 to 10 times
using a double strand of thread. Cut the zipper ½ inch below the stitches.
3. With wrong sides together, press under ½ inch on 10-inch ends. Place one folded edge on right
side of zipper, centering edge along middle of zipper tape and placing top of zipper ¾ inch from
side edge; stitch into place. Repeat with other folded edge on other side of zipper, unzipping
zipper to stitch into place.
4. With right sides together (zipper closed), position zipper 1 inch from top of pouch. Stitch sides
together beginning with side near the top of the zipper. Open zipper before stitching second
side. In seam allowance on both sides stitch another row of stitching 1/8 inch from seam; trim
seam close to second stitching. Turn pouch right side out and press.
5. On right side of one side of bag, center pencil pouch at least 3 inches from top edge. Zig-zag
stitch along edge of each side and top to attach pouch to outside of bag.
6. For bag, fold rectangle in half, right sides together. Stitch sides, finishing seams with a zig zag
stitch, French seams or other method of choice. Press seams open.
7. Turn top edge of bag under 1 ¼ inch, wrong sides together, and press. Finish raw edge by
turning under ¼ inch and stitch hem in place.
8. Handles: Fold each strap in half, wrong sides together, then turn raw edges to inside of fold;
press. Stitch together open side of handles near the edge; finish handles by stitching along
opposite edge.
9. Position handles on each side of bag, with each end 2 inches from side seams. Stitch in place,
reinforcing attachment with a zig-zag stitch.
10. Turn bag right side out and press.
Thank you for helping out with this project. These book bags will be hand carried to children at Christ
Community Lutheran School, Kawete, Uganda, March, 2012.
Finished bags can be dropped off at Glendale Lutheran Church, 1365 N. Sappington, Glendale, Missouri,
on Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, please contact Dorothy Schaser, 314-965-9270 or 314-229-3090, or email
dkschaser@sbcglobal.net.