Fix It Friday - How to Reline Your Haversack (Or Bag)

It's time to throw out your favourite bag - it looks perfect on the outside, but the lining has worn out and it just needs to go. Well, hold that thought! You can re-line your bag, and if it's made from woven textiles then it will be easier.
I relined my son's haversack, the one which required some repairing last year. I had noticed that the wax was coming off and it was starting to wear thin. I was a little hesitant starting the project because I recalled teaching a lady how to do it last year at the Repair Kopitiam and it took her a good 6 hours. It took me around that much time too because in this sewing project, you need to be a) very accurate with your measurements; and b) very patient.  I can't stress these points any further!

Key Materials and Tools
a) I wanted to retain the water-proof nature of the bag so I used PVA-lined fabric bought from the textile centre above People's Park Complex. It was $10 a yard and for a bag, you only need half of that.

b) Microtex sewing machine needles - these are important if you are sewing material which has a plasticky type of lining.

Step 1 - Measure
Carefully measure all parts of the bag and draw directly onto the fabric - add 1/2 inch for seam allowance. After cutting out the drawn pieces, I had 5 parts - the back, the front, bottom and the two strips right and left of the zipper.

Step 2 - Sew Together
I laid the pieces right side together before sewing them up on the sewing machine. To reinforce the seams, I gently pressed open the seams to one side and stitched on the right side of the fabric.

Step 3 - Sew to the Zipper
I actually had the lining the wrong side out so that I could slip the lining into the bag.
I then used clothes pegs to hold everything in place, and then put the whole thing on the sewing machine - tadah! If your measurements in Step 1 are good, then you won't have any excess in the lining.

Read more tips on how to fix your haversack here.