Mat & Ruler Bag, part 3

Handles, Cut two pieces of fabric 4" - 5" wide, long enough for your handles. We all like our handles just the right width and length so this measurement is up to you, mine are cut 28" long and 5" wide...

press the strips in half length ways so that you have a centre crease to follow when you open it back up ...
... fold each half over into the fold, like the picture, then fold in half again...
then machine stitch close to both edges, I love the Bernina foot number 10 for this job, just use what you have for edge stitching.
If you use thin fabric you don't need to neaten the ends because you can just fold a bit under, my fabric is very thick so I have used an overlock stitch, just to stop it fraying ugly.
Pin handles in place, I do the bag front first because I want to use the pocket as a placement guide....
then stitch it down and repeat for the other side, try to level up the handle placement as best you can
You are nearly done now... pin both front and back, right sides together, matching corners, don't use your best delicate patchwork pins for this job, they will bend easily.....
when you have the two sides stitched, go across the bottom, be careful when you get to the pocket part....
look how many layers you have to stitch through when you pass the pocket! go slowly and it will be fine as it squishes down witht he foot...
Turn the bag right side out now and give it a good pressing, especially on the seams...

(This is the first time I have used cotton batting and with this thicker fabric and it proved to be quite difficult. I would suggest poly batting with thick fabric and cotton batting with thinner fabric... extra info there)
Then go round the bag, top stitching close to the edge, just about the inner-seam width from the edge of the bag is perfect.
and... voila!!! another Mat & Ruler Bag, my 5th.
This is a closer shot of the top stitching, it is hard to get square corners, good job I like 'em a little bit rounded off!

Have you made one yet or was it just too confusing?