DIY Gingham Bag Tutorial

Love the shape of this bag. Easy-to-stitch pleats make this surprisingly roomy inside, which means lots of space for all your must-haves. Choose furnishing weight fabric or a nice chunky linen to give it a bit of body.

 

MATERIALS
■ Furnishing weight fabric, lining fabric and iron-on interfacing pieces:
90 x 80cm (35 1/2 x 31 1/2") each
■ Matching sewing thread
■ Wooden button
■ Ready-made lace flower (or make your own)

DIMENSIONS
Finished size: 25 x 33cm (9 7/8 x 13")
Gusset: 6cm (2 3/8")

1. Using the template (DOWNLOAD HERE), cut out your fabric shapes for the body of the bag and add the iron-on interfacing to your main fabric, following the manufacturer's instructions. Cut out a 6 x 74cm (2 1/3" x 29 1/8") strip to make the gusset. For the button loop, cut a strip of fabric from the gingham to measure 2 x 20cm (3/4 x 7/8").

2. Now add the pleats. Using the positions marked on the template as your guide, fold the fabric and machine stitch a 5cm (2") line. Make sure the end of the stitching is secure so your pleats can't come undone. Create all four pleats in the same way, then press to the left or right as shown. Repeat this process to create identical pleats on all the outer and lining pieces. 

3. With right sides (RS) together, stitch the fabric gusset strip to one piece of the outer bag and then to the other. Repeat for the lining but this time leave a small gap of around 5cm (2") on one side - this will be for turning later.

4. To make the fastening loop, fold the gingham strip in half lengthways - RS together - and stitch along the long edge. When you reach the end, pass your needle back through the inside and pull gently to turn the loop RS out. This will take a little easing, so don't rush it. Fold the strip in half and knot to hold the loop in place.

5. Insert the assembled outer bag into the assembled lining (RS together). Match up the edges and pin the fastening loop in position on one side with the loop itself trapped between the outer and lining pieces. Stitch the outer and lining together along the short edges of the gusset strip, top curve and handles. Stop within 5cm (2") of the top of each handle and leave open.

6. Turn the whole bag RS out through the gap you left in the lining. Stitch up the gap. 

7. Now you can join up the handles. Join the two top edges of the outer handles. It's worth going over this a couple of times for added strength. Fold in the top edges of the handle lining and overstitch to seal.

8. Top stitch around the handles, top curve of the bag and gusset edges for a nice crisp finish. Stitch your wooden button firmly on to the front, checking that the loop fits over it snugly. Embellish with a lace flower, neatly stitched in place, and you're all set!