Ruffle Bag Tutorial

 This is cute cottagecore vibes with a hint of pop art that we're obsessed with. You can never have too many statement accessories to jazz up your outfits.

MATERIALS
■ 1 metre pink gingham at least 150cm (59 1/8") wide
■ 50cm (19 3/4") lightweight interfacing
■ 5 x 10cm (2 x 4") red cotton
■ 10 x 10cm (4 x 4") green cotton
■ 20cm (7 7/8") of 1cm (3/8") wide green ribbon
■ Red and green embroidery thread 
■ Fabric marker
■ Matching pink thread
■ Dark thread
■ Sewing machine
■ Tracing paper

1. First create the pattern pieces for the bag. Using the tracing paper, draw a rectangle 27 x 32cm (10 5/8 x12 5/8"), then cut out and fold in half lengthways. Place a small bowl on the bottom corner and draw around it to create a round edge. Mark this pattern piece A - this will be the main bag and lining. Draw a second rectangle 142 x 12cm (55 7/8 x 4 3/4"), mark this with a B - this will be the ruffle. Draw out a third rectangle 46 x 7cm (18 1/8 x 2 3/4"), mark this with a C - this will be the handles. Make a fourth rectangle 120 x 4cm (47 1/4 x 1 5/8") and mark with a D - this will be the tie.

2. Pin the pattern pieces to the gingham fabric and cut out. Cut four of pattern piece A, two of B, one of C and one of D. For the interfacing, cut two of piece A and two of C.

3. Fuse the interfacing to the corresponding fabric following the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Take the two interfaced A pieces and, using chalk or a fabric marker, draw a horizontal line 6cm (2 3/8") from the top and a second line 8cm (3 1/8") from the top. One of these pieces will be the back and the other will be the front of the bag. On the front piece, mark the centre point of the lines and then draw a line 1cm (3/8") on each side.

5. Attach the buttonhole foot to your sewing machine and set the length of the buttonhole to 1.5cm (5/8") - refer to your machine user guide on how to do this if unsure. Sew two buttonholes on the centre marks drawn in Step 4.

6. Insert a pin at the top and the bottom of each buttonhole and then use small scissors to cut open. The pins will stop you going through the stitches.

7. Use a fabric marker and the template to trace the whole cherry shape centrally onto the front of the bag. Then, trace the cherries onto the red fabric and the leaf onto the green fabric and cut out the shapes. Pin these red and green shapes onto the front of the bag or use some fabric glue to hold them in place.

8. Use satin stitch to attach the ribbon as the stalk, and embroider blanket stitch around the outsides of the cherry and the leaf. 

9. Take the handles marked C and fold in half lengthways. Pin them right sides together (RST) then sew both 1cm (3/8") along the long raw edge, leaving the ends open. Turn them the right way out and press. Repeat with the tie marked D and put to one side.

10. Take the ruffle marked B and fold in half RST, pin at each end, then stitch a line 1cm (3/8") from the raw edge. Turn the right way and press, so the whole strip is folded in half. Use a pin to help pull out the corner so it's neat.

11. Change the thread to a different colour and adjust the stitch length to 5mm (1/4") on your sewing machine. Sew two lines of stitches on the ruffle that are 5mm (1/4") and 1.5cm (3/8") from the raw edge. Pull top thread tails to create gathers. 

12. Starting 1cm (3/8") below the marked lines, pin the gathers to the outside edge of the front piece (A) matching the raw edges. Pin the back piece on the top and sew 1cm (3/8") from the raw edge around the sides, leaving the top open.

13. Take the lining - the other two A pieces - and pin and sew these around the sides, leaving a 10cm (4") gap at the bottom and the top open. Trim the seam allowance at the rounded corners to 0.5cm (1/4").

14. Pin each side of the handle 8cm (3 1/8") from the side of the bag on the front and back. Turn the bag inside out and place the lining inside RST. Make sure the sides match up, pin in place around the top, then sew 1cm (3/8") from the raw edge all the way around the top. Pull the bag through the small opening at the bottom of the lining, then sew the gap closed.

15. Press around the opening at the top and then sew along the two lines drawn in Step 4. Stitch all the way around the bag.

16. Take the tie (piece D) and attach a safety pin in one end. Thread the safety pin through one of the buttonholes all the way around the channel and out of the other buttonhole. Tie a small knot in the end of each tie and then trim the threads underneath the knot. Pull the ties to make a bow, to finish.