Ruffled Tote Bag - SO CUTE!!

After my apron project (see here) I was excited to try another sewing project.  Since patterns, zippers, buttons, etc. still make me nervous, I decided to try another ruffle project -  a colorful, ruffled tote bag that I planned to give to my sister Jordan for her birthday (as long as it turned out ok!)

 

These ruffles are smaller than the apron.  I cut the fabric to 2.7 high and 27 in. wide (about twice the width of the tote bag, to add lots of ruffles).  At the fabric store, I asked for 4 inches of a bunch of fabrics - getting such a small amount made each one super inexpensive.  I ended up using 7 different types of fabric for this bag.  See my previous blog for ruffle instructions. 

 

Hem bottom and sides of each ruffle.

Then sew a wide stitch on the top.

Then pull the bottom thread to create the ruffles.

 

Then pin them onto the bag.

 

 

The hard part is sewing the ruffles onto the bag - that bottom ruffle is hard to get to!  It might have been easier to sew each one, as they were pinned.  I pinned all, so I could better control spacing though.  One tip I learned is to take off the storage tub on your machine, if you can, to create more room.

 

Then pin and sew your ribbon, covering the top messy seam.

 

 

Happy Birthday Jordan!  Enjoy it!!

 

 

Warning: This might not be the last project blog on ruffled tote bags!



Colorful Ruffled Apron

This is my first sewing effort and I am SO proud of this project!  I am not presenting these instructions as an expert, but as encouragement to other people who are new to sewing.  And I have to give a big THANK YOU to my mom for teaching and helping me with this project!! 

 

 

For this project you need:

a pre-made apron

5-6 different fabrics - 1/4 yard

coordinating ribbon

scissors

sewing machine

thread

pins

measuring tape

iron

 

 

On the wrong side of the fabric, measure 4 1/4 inches and mark with a highlighter (or fabric pencil if you are being technical).  

 

 

Then cut that strip of fabric.  My apron was flared, so for the bottom ruffle, I had to make two strips.  The 2nd from bottom I used 1 1/2 strips.  The rest I used just one strip and adjusted the amount of ruffles to make it longer or shorter.

 

 

Pin, then sew a 1/4 inch hem on the bottom and 2 sides of the strip.  After this step, iron the strip.

 

 

 

For the top, make a wide, straight stitch.

 

 

Then pull only one thread (the underneath one) to make the ruffles.  You have to scoot the ruffles to the center of the strip.

 

 

Then measure, pin and sew onto the apron.

 

 

You then repeat these steps for each ruffle.  Make sure each ruffle covers the the top of the ruffle below it.

 

 

 

After you finish your top ruffle, pin your ribbon to cover the top seam and sew it on, I used a zigzag stitch for this.

 

 

Each ruffle gets easier and the finished project is SO fun and colorful!!