*giveaway closed* By request (+Giveaway!)

I was asked to make a tutorial for either bag #2 or #3 in my earlier "Bags" post, so here it is! The bags are very similar, but because of the heavier fabric that I'm using for this bag, I chose bag #3 with the pleating, instead of gathering. I will try to do instructions for both though.

This is a pretty easy bag, but there are lots of steps, so it will probably take a couple of hours.

1) Choose a fabric for the bag, and a coordinating fabric for the liner. Start by cutting out 2 of these shapes on a fold. Each piece should be 6 1/4" on bottom, and 12 1/2" on top when folded. Unfolded, it will be 12 1/2" on the bottom, and 25" on top.

 I'm sorry I don't have a template, but it shouldn't be too hard to freehand!

2) Out of the same fabric, cut three strips that are 6"X27".

*If you are making bag #2, you will need 1 6x27" strip, and 1 6x30" strip.

3) Use your first cut-outs as a template and cut 2 more pieces (on the fold) out of your lining fabric.

4) Unfold the lining pieces and place them right sides together, pin, and sew along the two sides and bottom.

5) Then set your machine to the longest stitch and sew a gathering stitch all the way around the top layer of the lining. You should just have one layer of fabric, because you're not sewing anything together. 

6) Pull the top thread to gather the top of the lining until it is 25" around (12 1/2 lying flat).

*If you are making bag #2, after you have sewn up the sides and bottoms of the lining and bag pieces, you can put the lining inside the bag (wrong sides facing each other) and sew the tops together with the gathering stitch, then pull to gather.

7) Now lay your outer fabric pieces on top of each other, right sides together, pin. and sew sides and bottom just like the lining.

8) Clip your corners and turn the bag right side out.

9) Starting in the middle, fold over the fabric about 1/4"-1/2" to make pleats all the way around the fabric. Make sure they are nice and even, and that the opening is 25" around, 12 1/2" lying flat.

10) Tuck the lining inside the bag, wrong sides facing each other so you see the pretty side of the fabric when you look in the bag. Match the side seams of the bag to the side seams of the lining, and pin.

11) Sew them together with a basting (long) stitch, to hold it together while you are doing the next step....

12) Take all three of your 6x27" strips and fold over the edges, then press with an iron to hold (I had to use pins because I used an upholstery weight fabric). 

 *I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the most difficult part!*

13) Fold over one of your long strips (width wise) so that it's about 2 1/2 wide and press. Open it up, and pin one edge of the strip (with wrong side facing up) all the way around the top of your bag on the lining side,  and sew on. Fold down the other side of the strip (it should be right side facing up now, and about 2 1/2" wide) and pin it all the way around your bag on the outer side.  Sew all the way around.  *You can also try just sandwiching the bag between the long strip while it's folded, but that's a little more tricky!).

14) When you're finished sewing the strip on, you'll want to fold the ends under each other and sew them together.

15) Your other two strips are going to be your straps. Fold the two sides that you pressed on top of each other, and sew right on top of them, all the way down.

When you get to the ends, fold them under and sew over them as well...

And then sew all the way down the other side, just to give it a finished look.

16) Now you can pin them on the bag, wherever you like.

*For bag #2, sew one side of the strap to each side of the bag, lengthwise.

17) And sew three of the sides of each strap onto the bag, leaving the top unstitched.

18) Hand stitch your buttons to the bottoms of the two front straps.

18) Pin a flower on if you like! I had already made this flower, so I couldn't take pics for a tutorial. But basically what you do is make another strap with the lining fabric and make a gathering stitch along the bottom, gather it, and roll it in the shape of a flower. Then you can hand stitch the bottom of the flower and glue to a safety pin thingy.

19) That's it! You're all done!




By the way....does anyone want this bag?? It came out really nicely, but I already have a bag for fall, so I thought maybe it could be my first giveaway! Just leave your email address in your comment if you do want to enter. Or if you don't feel comfortable leaving your email, you can leave a comment, and email me separately with your address. Thanks!  Have a great day!