Runaround Bag Offers Function and Builds Skills
by admin — 17 Comments » 
Lazies, Goodness, my blog post is late today! I got caught up in Super Bowl weekend and then had to watch Downton Abbey last night. Are you watching Downton Abbey? Love the show. Not a lot of purses or handbags to be seen, but the clothing is to die for. Check it out on PBS.
On to today’s post. Our simple and sleek Runaround Bag is one of our most-loved, all-time best sellers. Not only is it a handy size for traveling light, but it teaches a simple zipper installation and offers design opportunities. Best of all, it takes two fat quarters, a zipper and some buttons for embellishment. How wrong can you go?
Bag Features
The Runaround Bag is just big enough to put your hand in, includes a front zip pocket, an open back pocket, and can be worn cross-body for comfort and security.
Perfect Button Placement and Stacking Buttons
The Runaround Bag offers a perfect location to embellish above or below the zipper. I like to add buttons and sometimes stack them or include a yo-yo and some ribbon. Click here for my tutorial for perfect button placement and stacking buttons.
Easy Zipper Installation
The Runaround Bag’s zipper installation is a great place to start if you are zipper-phobic. Truly, it is easy and full-proof. Best of all, you’ll work with the meaty part of the zipper, between the metal knobs at the top and the bulky stopper at the bottom. We even have a work-around for the bulk of the zipper pull. It couldn’t get much easier.
Pattern Review
Hop over to Fabric Lovers’ blog to read Sabra’s review of the Runaround Bag. Sabra is a long-time fan of the Runaround and used beautiful fabrics by Amelia Caruso for Kaufman. Thanks Sabra for the great review.
For a couple of fat quarters, a zip, and a bit of time, give the Runaround Bag a try and build your zipper confidence!
More about the Runaround Bag
Add Decorative Handle
Choosing Thread for a Supporting Role
Choosing a Zipper is a Design Decision
Lazy Girl Michelle Meehan’s Runaround
Joy of Sewing Can Be Found in Small Projects
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Enjoy!
Joan
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Went to Sabra’s blog to see her review… what a great choice of color for hers… loved it.
The runaround is my most FAV of all bags! I have them for all occasions…. a lighthouse fabric for our lighthouse tours… museum fabric… chicago fabric…tall ships fabric..Purdue fabric etc….the hold my wallet… cell phone…tissues and a small note pad and pencil quite nicely and I still have room to carry little trinkets that I purchase on our travels… the back pocket is great for holding the maps and brochures and I don’t have to open my bag to get at them!
This one is a keeper for sure Joan!
here are just a few of my runaround bags
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sewwunderful/6179601592
Love this bag and of course the fabrics chosen on your site(s) and Sabra’s site are absolutely gorgeous! I want more…. I have two that were made by some very dear quilting buddies. Both used frog fabrics with a Wonder Wallet to match each one. I recently used one these past two weeks to carry the bare essentials when walking to the vet for my 4 fur kids’ annual checkup. It was just enough to carry a WonderWallet, cell phone, house keys, and of course poop bags. It’s definitely more stylish than a fanny pack. LOL I think the fabric at the LQS is “calling” me – need some special FQs for another Run Around Bag. Thanks for all of your wonderful designs! Hey, what about a LGD fanny pack pattern?
I have made so many of these bags and everyone really enjoys them.
Hi Joan…I am SO WITH YOU regarding Downton Abbey….!!!! I am a new viewer of the series and love, love, LOVE IT…! Regarding the Runaround Bag, is there only the one zipper, part way down on the front? Is the top of the bag closed, where the strap is located…? Please advise…many thanks!!
The Runaround Bag is one of my most favorite of all!!! It’s easy, it’s adorable and ideal for shopping, traveling, anything! Just love ’em!
Thank you Joan!!!
This is a favorite of mine … it’s quick and easy to make. Zipper is a breeze!
If you haven’t tried it, it’s time you did!
Peggy
Love the look of this, sometimes when I want to do a quick shop but I only have my big backpack with me with all the kids stuff, I take out my purse and keys but then I have to juggle them and the shopping, this would be perfect!
Love this little bag and so does everyone I’ve made one for too! Is fun to combine all sorts of buttons for the stacks. Thanks for the new review.
Here are some of mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayangel_46/sets/72157614510167528/
Joan, I need your advice… I am fine with sewing the zipper until it gets to “pull the zipper tab to the right a bit” … then stack and stitch. Ok my problem is that the left side of the zipper, the two pieces separate as I stack and sew. And it never looks as pretty in the end as yours does. How do I keep the zipper pieces together while I stack and sew all the pieces together? I wish I could just keep the zipper zipped but then the zipper pull would end up on the wrong side of the sewing and that would be another problem altogether now wouldn’t it! 🙂
>Lynn S, I put a couple stitiches in mine to keep it in place while I stitich. Pull the zipper tab to the side but not completely. Pin the gap closed and then stitch a few stitches to keep it shut. Do the same on the other side and then after I do that, I cut the excess zipper to be even with the fabric edges. Hope this helps!
Joan,
I love this! So easy and quick! Made about a dozen already fro friends and family…:)
My 11 yr old daughter picked out this pattern and her fabrics and has been patiently waiting for me to have time to help her get started. Last night while she was out, I whipped one up for myself as practice before we tackled it together.
WOW! I LOVE IT! It was so much easier than I expected… I’m excited for her to get started on hers (which is our goal for tonight!!) I plan to make many more of these… they will make GREAT gifts!!
Thanks so much for easy to follow pattern!!
Great bag have made abt a dozen!
HI Joan: It says you can make the bag with fat quarters, but is the bag pictured on the pattern made of quilt fabric or home dec fabric? It’s not a quilting fabric I recognize, but there are so many out there!
Thanks,
Elizabeth
I need a tutorial for zipper application on Candice.