As I want to be able to transport my Cricut Maker – and I know a lot of people like to carry theirs around to classes, craft fairs and the like – I really wanted to make a case for the Cricut Maker that I could actually CUT on the Cricut Maker. For a while I wasn’t sure this was doable because:

the maximum length you can cut fabric on the Cricut is 23.5″

I wanted to create some padding for the bag – i.e. use decent batting

To my surprise…it actually worked – not only that, it was a breeze to cut! Because I did it on my Cricut Maker! I even enjoyed one of my least favourite tasks (pressing seams) by using my Easypress!

It might seem odd to be using the Cricut to cut out these patterns, since the bag is a series of rectangles only slightly smaller than they need to be cut to stick on the Cricut mat. Well there’s a simple reason: accuracy! Cutting rectangles might seem simple, but – especially when it comes to cutting large pieces of slidy silky lining (which I hate doing!) it is so hard to get an accurate cut. With the Cricut Maker, you can just stretch it out and stick it on the mat, and you get an accurate cut!

What REALLY astonished me though is…the Maker has a Quilt Batting setting! I can’t get over it! This machine will be amazing for quilting as well as everything else! (Just make sure that you push the rollers to the side before you begin.

Anyway!

You will need:

2 metres fairly heavy fabric (I’ve used a sturdy polycotton bearing a Hello Kitty design!)

2 metres quilt batting/wadding (to pad your bag)

2 metres lining

22″ zip

2.2m webbing (25mm wide, for the handles)

Strong sewing thread

You’ll also need the rotary blade on your Cricut

Cutting the pieces:

From each type of material you’re using (that is, exterior fabric, batting and lining) you will need to cut :

3 x largest piece

2 x long narrow piece

2 x square piece

BUT ALSO – two of the smallest piece, from the exterior fabric only

Assembling the bag:

Lay the quilt batting on top of its corresponding fabric piece. (Do this for all pieces) Take two of the largest pieces (these will be the side pieces). Cut 2 x 115cm-long pieces from the webbing and arrange them against each of the side pieces of the bag as shown – with the outer edges of the webbing 17cm away from the edge of the fabric on each side.

3. Pin handles to pattern and sew the webbing at each side, from the bottom to the top – but stopping about 12mm from the top.

4. Then sew reinforcing lines (i.e. a few times back and forth) across each band at the very bottom of the ends of the straps and also about 12mm from the top as shown:

5. Repeat for another of the large pieces, which will be the other side piece of the bag.

6. The remaining large piece is the bottom of the bag. Take one of the side pieces you have just attached webbing to, and, right sides together, sew along the longest edge.

7. Sew remaining side piece to the bottom, along the edge where the handles are attached.

8. Press seams open. I’ve always hated ironing so…I decided to use my Easypress! It worked a treat!

9. With right sides together, start to pinthe side pieces – that is, the square pieces (with their associated batting!) to the edges of the pieces you’ve already sewn together.

10. Sew around the seams. Repeat for the other side piece. Press seams open.

You now have a box shape!

11. Take the small squares of fabric. Turn the edges over, and sew them at the ends of the zips as shown.

12. Right sides together, pin one of the two long sections of external fabric (with batting underneath) to zip edge. Underneath, with ride side of lining against wrong side of zip, pin corresponding lining to the zip. Use the same pins to hold it all together! Stitch, using your sewing machine’s zipper foot.

13. Fold back, press and topstitch the section you just attached.

14. Repeat steps 12 and 13 for the other side of the zip. Press.

Sewing the lining:

For this, you’re really repeating the process you did for the outside of the bag, only without the handles!

15. Put two of the largest pieces right sides together and sew down the longest side:

16. Attach the remaining side and press seams open (and press it a lot better than in my photo!!!):

17. Attach side squares on both sides:

18. Press. You now have two box shapes!

19. You now need to take the fabric/batting version of the ‘box’ (that you made earlier!) and stitch the ‘lid’ on it – but stop whenever you get to the zip! Press.

20. Turn it inside out.Now, you need to (right sides together) attach the lining ‘box’ to the lining – this time you can sew over the zips (an indeed the fabric/batting layer!) Leave enough space open to turn it inside out.

21. Turn it right sides out, and handstitch remaining gap in the lining.

You did it! You’ve now got a padded bag to carry your Cricut cutting machine around in!

Want to have a go yourself? Fill in the details below and get the FREE pattern now!

But, you can win all THE RAW MATERIALS you need to make this bag: yes…that’s Hello Kitty Fabric! Batting! Webbing! Lining! Zip…and all of the other sewing projects we’re attempting this month at our fantastic CraftAGoGo Great Crafting Giveaway! We’ve got over £100-worth of stuff to give away to one lucky winner. If you haven’t entered you’ve still got time…and don’t forget, if you share the competition you get more chances to win!