Syringe Driver Bags Tutorial

Hi everyone!  How are you doing this week?

Summer seems to have left us here!  But I have some good news!  My sewing room is finished and I'm fully operational once more!

And what better project to christen my new creative space than sewing for a good cause.

These are Syringe Driver Bags, used by patients to keep essential medication on their person as they move around. Earlier this year we received a request from Marie Curie Cancer Care to make Syringe Driver Bags for their unit in Belfast.  The response from the sewing community was incredible, and we donated enough bags for the hospice and a local hospital cancer unit.

Well I'm putting out a call to all generous and creative sewers, to make more Syringe Driver Bags, this time for Macmillan Cancer Support unit in Antrim hospital.

I have been approached to make these bags, for current and future patients in the unit, and any bags donated over and above what is needed will be shared around the other cancer units too.

The bags required this time around are for adult males and females, in bright, cheery fabrics, and come in 2 sizes.  The small bag takes a single syringe driver and the large bag takes 2 drivers.  Both sizes have a velcro flap, and while the dimensions vary, the construction method is the same for each.

I do hope I can count on your generous spirit to support brave patients in this small way.

Here is the tutorial:

Measurements listed are width x height

Use 1/4" seam allowance

Use reverse stitch to start and finish each seam

Materials:

1 Fat Quarter of cotton (approx 18" x 22") will make the exterior for either the single driver bag OR the double driver bag

1 Fat Quarter of cotton (approx 18" x 22") will make the lining for either the single driver bag OR the double driver bag

1 Long Quarter of cotton (approx 9.5" x 42"-44") will make the handles

** Please do not use stick-on velcro

1. Make the Handle:  Iron under 1/4" along each long edge.

2. Now bring both long (folded) edges together and press. Top stitch 1/8" from the edge down both long sides, starting with the open side. No need to top stitch the short ends. Put the handle to one side.

3. Make the Flap: Place the outer and lining flaps right sides together. Sew around 3 sides, leaving one short side open.

4. Carefully snip the corners at an angle (to reduce bulk) before turning right side out.  Push the corners well out and press.

5. Sew the soft side of the velcro to the lining side of the flap, 1/4" away from the closed end of the flap.  Put to one side.

6. Make the main bag: Attach the remaining piece of velcro to the front bag piece. The top of the velcro should be 1.5" down from the top edge (or 2" for the large bag).

7. Join the front and back pieces and the sides, right sides together (as shown) stopping 1/4" short at the bottom of each seam.

8. Join the remaining edges together to create a box (remember to stop 1/4" short at the bottom).

9. Insert the base: Pin the base to the bottom of the outer bag, right sides together.

10. Sew the base in place, stopping 1/4" short at each corner to pivot & turn (leave the needle down in the fabric and lift up the presser foot).  As you pivot the corners, flip the underside of the bag away from you (see below).

Stop 1/4" short at the corner, leave needle down, lift up presser foot and turn.

While presser foot is raised, flip underside of fabric away from you. Return presser foot and continue sewing next side.

11. Turn the bag right side out. Push the corners out and press the seams into a nice box shape.

12. Machine tack the flap onto the back of the bag, right sides together.

13. Machine tack the handle onto the sides of the bag (take care not to get a twist in your handle). Put to one side.

14. Make the lining: Repeat steps 7-10 for the lining, leaving a 2" gap in a long side seam. Do not turn right side out.

15. Insert the outer bag into the lining, tucking the flap and handle inside between the layers. Align & pin the side seams and top edge.

16. Sew around the top edge (you may find it easier to remove the accessories tray on your machine here).

17. Pull the outer bag through the gap in the lining, and hand or machine stitch the gap closed.

18. Press the bag before pushing the lining into the outer bag. Sew around the top edge again, making sure to keep the flap and handle well out of the way.

And you're done!

It would be wonderful if you could help me with this small measure of kindness.  The 2  bags I've made have already brought smiles to the faces of the 2 recipients!

I will be the collection point for any donated bags, so please get in touch with me directly and I'll give you my address (justjudedesigns@hotmail.co.uk)

Thanking you all in advance of your support and generosity.