Just recently I have been assigned to teacher some of the kids at church. I had a church bag, but it wasn’t quite big enough to hold my binder, manual and scriptures, so I decided to make one. It was great to be able to use some fabric that I have kept for a couple of years. Does anyone else collect fabric and never use it? I do it all the time. I save the fabric for a “special” project and then I never end of using it.
While I was making this bag, I was making things up as I went along. I just had an image of the bag in my head and then went off of that. So if this tutorial does make sense, I’m sorry 🙂
This is how I made it:
1) Using a thicker material, I cut 5 pieces of fabric. 2 that were 17″x14″, 2 that were 7″x14″ and 1 that was 17″x7″
2) Then cut 5 pieces of a different fabric (this will be the inside) in the same dimensions.
3) I wanted to have a pocket in the inside, so I cut another piece of the outside fabric and then sewed it down the middle.
4) I put all the fronts together of all of the 5 pieces. Sewed them and then flip that inside out.
5) I sewed handles into the front and back pieces of the bag.
Here are all of the pieces sewn together.
Now it’s time to put the bag together. As you can tell from this picture, there’s always a kid with me 🙂
6) I put the brown sides together and sewed the sides together.
7) I put the two sides onto the bag.
Now for the bottom, this was tricky for me.
8) I sewed the bottom onto the bag.
Here’s the bag, without the ruffles.
Now for the ruffles!
9) For each fabric, I cut two strips that were 8″x45″. I ironed the fabric in half, so the strip was only 4 inches wide.
10) Using my longest stitch, I sewed the tops of the fabric and then gather it by pulling the bobbin thread. This makes it much more ruffly than using elastic thread.
11) Then I put the ruffles onto the bag. I glued the bottom three because I didn’t want to mess up the pocket in the inside.
Here’s all the ruffles. I then put a ruffle on the very top of the bag, to cover the brown.
And now I have a fun ruffly bag for church!! I’m thinking about putting a big ruffled flower on it, what do you think?
Here’s the inside
Danielle
This is so dang cute! I love it! I think the flower would look great too.
Amanda
I love it, the fabrics are great together and it looks easy enough to make! I am a new sewer so I love to see projects like this.
http://www.newlifeovernight.blogspot.com
Ann @ makethebestofthings
So cute and clever! I am redoing my big ol' tote and had ruffles in mind. Very pretty.
Sewing for Utange
Cute bag. I may try this – I have lots of oddments of fabric which I could use!
Katie Adams
What a great tutorial and the bag turned out so cute! I would love for you to share this with my readers on Blog Stalking Thursday! http://thecraftyblogstalker.blogspot.com/2012/03/blog-stalking-thursday-31_07.html
tobecontinued
Cute bag! I want to make skirts like this for my girls, so a cute bag to match would be awesome!
Catherine
tbc-tobecontinued.blogspot.com
Michelle
Super cute! I will be featuring on A Little Tipsy on Saturday.
Steph
This bag is so cute! I love the colors. I have a bunch of leftover fabric that's just calling to me now!!
Thanks!
Stephanie
Lori
Love this bag…I can hardly wait until I can make one too. I got a new sewing machine for Christmas…yes, Christmas, and I have yet to use it. I do have an excuse…I need to take the class on how to work the darn thing…too complicated for my brain. I love the tutorial and I am pinning it too. See ya soon, Lori
Christina at I Gotta Create!
Those ruffles are just so doggone sweet! Thanks SO much for linking up!
igottacreate.blogspot.com
"Kiss Me I'm Irish" linky party now open!
patti west
hi! saw your bag at every creative endeavor…love the sweet ruffles! such an adorable bag!!! 🙂
Lori Stokes Wright
Great bag! Thanks for sharing the how to, I admire your sewing abilities. Found you at Kiss Me I'm Irish
Jenn
Nice job – it is really cute!
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love
This is adorable! Oh how I wish I could sew! I'd love for you to share this at Mix it up Monday:
http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com/2012/03/mix-it-up-monday_11.html#more
I hope to see you soon 🙂
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love
Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 I hope you'll stop back often!
(un)Deniably Domestic
Such a sweet, sweet bag. ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
Alison @ Oopsey Daisy
I want one!!! Love those ruffles!
Debbie @ OtRD
This is so lovely! I want to make one now!!
~Damita's Pretty Wrap~
Really cute bag!!! I was just at your wonderful blog the other day 🙂 🙂 ~Hugs~
Sass - aka - Kathy
What a great project! I love it. Consider sharing with my readers at http://sassafrassalvation.blogspot.com/2012/03/sasss-sunday-salvation-show-15.html
Meg
That is so cute! I love the ruffles!!!
Kassi @ Truly Lovely
Hey girl! Just wanted to let you know… YOU'VE BEEN FEATURED! 🙂 Hope you'll pop over to check it out and grab a brand new button! http://www.trulylovelyblog.com/2012/03/double-features-fancy-this-65-and-66/
Crafty Cousins
Super cute! I'd love it of you linked up to Crafty Cousins!
http://crafting-cousins.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-i-wore-sunday-week-7.html
~Natalie
P.S. We're a huge fan of your blog! 🙂
Kara at Petals to Picots
This is so cute! Thanks for linking up to my party 🙂
Mindie Hilton
I want one, it's beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Bacon Time.
Netties Expressions
This is such a cute bag! I'm dropping by from The Creative Girl link party!
amy and jesse hudson
I am so glad you linked this up to y Drab to Fab party!! Wanted to let you know I am featuring you this week!
This week's party is up, so I'd love to see more of your great stuff!
http://www.amynjesse.com/2012/03/drab-to-fab-link-up-8-features_15.html
Have a great one!
Amy @ Sugar and Spice
Christine @ Angel Stitch Embroidery and Jezebel
lol! I have so much fabric sitting around waiting to be used. Love that bag, you are very good with ruffles.
Amanda
This is adorable! I absolutely love it!!! Im adding it to my pinterest page:)
Six Sisters
This bag is so stinkin cute! Thanks for joining us for "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." We hope you'll come back next week! -The Sisters
memoirsofasassygirl
That's a pretty bag and a great tutorial. 🙂