This is a very variable bag. The size can easily be changed to suit the needs of any one. Changes are made by changing the size of the center panel. Care should be taken if changing the width of the sides because of the bunk in turning. The center panel and the sides can be of one color or different colors. Lining to match or contrast. The center panel gives large area to show off you favorite designs. There is no limit to what you can do with this pattern. Be as creative as you like. The measurements given here is a good size for a lady's bag. A larger size would make a great diaper bag for a new mom or perhaps a beach bag for a teenager. How about a book bag for the young scholar? Reduce the size and it will be great for a preteen and even the youngest would like a bag for their coloring books. I suggest for your first attempt you make one the size given here and then you can see how to adjust it to fit the needs of others but the first one should be yours... ;-) Depending on choice of fabric this bag will go in the laundry well. It can be made from most fabrics. If using a thin weight fabric it might be wise to use an iron on fusible interfacing on all outer parts. Do a test and let your good judgment tell you what to do.	Notice: This rooster and hen will not be sold. I am giving them as gifts to my friends and customers who by buying designs from me supports my endeavors and makes it possible for me to create instructitons and designs for all to enjoy. For details on how you can have them write me HERE
	Materials and Supplies (My choices) Outer fabric 2/3 yard (Weaver's or Monk's cloth.) Lining fabric 1/2 yard Quilt Batt 2 pieces 19 X 36 inches (Fairfield's Cotton Classic) Interlining 1 piece 19 X 36 inches (This can be most any thin fabric even a worn pillow case will do.) Quilt Basting Spray, Spray Starch, Velcro Coins, Threads to match all fabrics. Preshrink, spray starch and iron all fabrics before cutting. Cutting Instruction From outer fabric cut a strip 5 X 44. inches and lay aside for strap Cut a piece to measure 19 X 36 inches. Make a sandwich of the interlining, 2 quilt battings and the outer fabric. Spray between these layers lightly with Quilt Basting spray. Quilt this as desired.
This is my center panel as I was quilting it. I am using my good old faithful 930 Bernina. Many have said these old Berninas are the best machine for quilting. I think so! If you going to do very much stripple quilting I would search for one of these old Berninas and then if you did not get them with the machine buy the walking foot and the free motion quilting foot If you need a quilting lesson. I suggest you locate one of Harriet Hargrave's Heirloom Machine Quilting books. You may be able to find a copy from the American Quilter's Society at Paducah, Ky. Their url is: http://www.aqsquilt.com From this quilted piece cut one center panel 9" X 26" and 2 side pieces 7 1/2"X 16" Cut the same from the lining. If inner pockets are desired cut them 10 X 9 inches.

The next step is to decorate the center panel. I hope you will use one of my applique designs. I need your help if I am to continue sharing my project with everyone. You can see my center panel above. Notice how the roosters are located. The center of this piece is the bottom of the bag.

	Fold a side piece, good side together, in half length-wise and sew a 1/2 inch seam across the short end. (botton of bag) Do the same for the other side. Mark the center of the center panel crosswise at bottom of bag. Hold a side piece with the seam upward, lay the center panel over this, matching the seam to the center mark. Begin pining (yellow pin) side to center panel as shown in this photo on left.
Tack and begin sewing a 1/2 inch seam where I am pointing my pencil. You shoulld start 1/2 inch from edge of the center panel, continue around,crossing the seam and sewing until you reach the other side in the same position as you started. Tack this spot. This makes what quilters call a floating seam and you will see the need for it a bit later. Sew the three parts of the outer bag in the same way as you did these lining parts but omit the pockets.
	Tack sew and tack at the red pins. Turn bag with wrong side out. Turn lining with good side out. Slip the lining inside the bag, pinning as shown on left. Sew this seam starting and tacking at the red pin and being careful not to catch any of the seam allowances. Sew other seam the same.
Join the sides of bag to lining as shown and pin. Stitch where pined with the 1/2 inch seam taking care to begin right at the tack point and sewing to the end of seam. Take care that the seam are not caught and the tack are right together. Sew all four of these seams. Check them to be sure they are correct. Pull the lining out of the bag. Reach you hand inside one of the opening and pull the entire bag through this opening taking care not to pop any stitches. Roll the lining toward the inside of the bag and blind stitch this all a long the edges to hold the lining in place. Press and steam well. Next trim the end of the side if needed (mine did) and baste this opening together. Form a box pleat reducing the width to one half

Strap: Fold in half lengthwise and sew the length with a 1/4 inch seam.Turn and press with the seam in the center. Turn 1 inch of the end up inside and press. Insert this over the box pleat and stitch it with a rectangle box going over the stitches twice. Note: because of the amount of bulk I blind stitch around twice by hand before machine stitching it. Steaming it well afterward to reduce the bulk. Add some more Velcro to keep it close if desired. Spray your bag with Scotch Guard fabric protection before use and again after each laundry.