Sailing boat shopping bag

I just finished off this sailing boat themed shopping bag, which is a hostess gift for a lady who loves sailing boats. I hope she likes it.

It is based on an idea from the book "Freehand Machine Embroidery" by Poppy Treffry which was featured in the August Prima Magazine.
I adapted the design to suit my fabric and style, but I think it worked out OK.

I must admit I have not followed the instructions, instead making the bag from a piece of fabric 100cm by 50cm and applying the motif where I thought appropriate. I've also gone for a dark bag with a pale boat rather than the other way around due to the fabric I had.

I constructed my bag flat. I measured some existing purchased shopping bags and drew elements I liked from each checking the motif would fit OK. I then measured my fabric and worked out the 1m of 150cm wide would make 3 bags. I cut out the bag and overlocked all the edges first.
Then I cut the boat elements from scrap fabric and sewed on with ivory thread. Then I sewed the top hem, attached the handles whilst the bag was flat and gave it all a press.
Only after this did I sew up the side seams, and square off the bottom.
To give support in the bottom I cut a piece from a plastic food preparation mat I bought in the supermarket. It was a set of four in different colours, but the dark blue one seemed to work OK so I have not covered it in lining as planned, just put it loose in the bottom.

The boat motif would make a nice cushion design also, and if you don't like the raw edges you can always add a small seam allowance and tuck it under when sewing.