Easy Snap Bag

To make this even easier I started with a placemat. You need to cut 2 pieces of an old tape measure (not a thin flimsy one) about 3/4" shorter than the width of your bag. Round off the edges and cover with thick heavy tape so the sharp edges won't cut through your fabric. On each end I turned about 1 1/2" over to the right-side, slipped under a triangle-shaped tab, and then stitched a pocket to hold the metal measuring tape. The printed sides on the tape must face each other for the finished bag to close .
I sewed a decorative stitch below this stitch-line. With right sides together I stitched up the sides, stopping where the very thick fold-overs were. After both side were done I turned it right side out and then sewed up the thick folded over edges.
For patterns for all kinds of "Snap Happy Bags" go to the website of the Stitchin' Sisters: http://stitchinsis.com/