How to attach a lining to a knitted bag?

Even though I am somewhat far away from being able to do this, I want to add a lining, maybe satin, to the inside of the bag I am knitting. Since the color of the yarn is Red Heart Super Saver Plum Pudding, I’d think a black satin would be a nice contrast.

Anyways, I’ve searched the web and found this tutorial on how to make the lining, yet am perplexed as to how to attach it to the bag when its fully assembled. Do I use a certain stitch along the seems of both the lining and the bag to attach? Do I use thread in the same color as the bag or the liner?

I guess maybe I should have just waited to cross that bridge when I came to it, but I am super excited about this project and want to get everything fully understood long before the time comes to do it.

The linked tutorial seems to be highly optimistic that tacking the folded-over raw edges with a couple of whip stitches here and there will do the job. I use my bags until they fall apart (unless they’re special-occasion-only bags), so I need to start with more sturdy attachment methods.

I suggest following the tutorial’s method for forming the bottom of the bag (fusible interfacing + satin fabric). I would also sew, with a sewing machine if possible, a straight line of stitching approx. 1/4 inch (5 mm) away from the finished edges of the bottom, all the way around. 10 or so stitches to the inch is fine; 12 is OK; 15 is likely to damage the satin. This is your insurance for when the fusible’s adhesive begins to fail in a year or two (my experience).

Then, when the edges are folded over on the fabric for the sides of the bag (I can’t quite tell whether her instructions also provide for the ends of the bag), I would either hand-sew those edges completely down or, again, machine-stitch them in place.

Next, attach the bottom of the lining to the sides/ends of the lining. Here I very [B]strongly [/B]recommend hand stitching, because you’ll want the flexibility that hand stitching can provide. Don’t absolutely nail these pieces together within an inch of their lives; you [B]want [/B]them to bend up from the bottom towards the top of the bag. :slight_smile:

Now we can finally address your original question: how to attach the lining to the knitted bag?

At this point, you have 1) a finished edge (the sewn, turned-over fabric) at the top of the lining and 2) your knit fabric.

Depending on whether or not you like the appearance of your hand stitching, and whether you’d like to make the stitching a feature or conceal it, make your thread selection (i.e., either contrast or matching). Sew from the inside, but make sure you can see both fabrics at all times. Catch the yarn of a knit stitch and, in the same pass of the needle, catch a few threads of the lining. Pull the needle through. Advance to the next knit stitch. Repeat. You’ll be overcasting the two pieces together, all the way around the bag.

I try not to split the yarn with the needle but rather to encompass the entire strand in each stitch; splitting the yarn can lead to weakness in the seam.

I’m sure the bag will look terrific! :slight_smile:

Thanks. I think I understand now. My mom has an old vintage sewing machine that I am sure she’ll help me to use (not very proficient on those things myself).

Did I mention that I am super excited about this project. I just can’t wait for it to be done!!

Since the yarn color is Plum Pudding, aka shades of bright hot pink, soft pink, and purple, I think a black satin lining would look great.