Ruffle Scripture Bag Tutorial

A year ago, I made a ruffle bag for my daughter to carry her scriptures to church in.  We've loved it and have only had about a hundred requests for a tutorial ( a bit of an exaggeration).  A year later, I finally got around to it.  Here you go:

I use muslin to sew my ruffles on.  Cut 2 pieces to size (mine were 12x12) and sew the side together.

Next, I cut four different strips of fabric.  Each strip is 3 1/2 inch wide and 44" long.  I zig zagged the long edges, hemmed the bottom edge and ran 2 gathering stitches along the top.

With a disappearing ink pen, draw a line 3" from the bottom on the muslin.

Pull your gathering stitches to fit.  Pin so the top of the ruffle lines up with the line you just drew.  Then draw another line 3" above the ruffle you just sewed.

Keep going

Keep going

There.  All the ruffles are sewn!

Fold it in half, right sides together and stitch up the other side - match the ruffles.  Stitch up the bottom.

I'm going to do my darnedest to explain this.  Line up the side seam with the bottom seam.  I move my ruler up until I can draw a line 3" long.  Sew right along this line.

Trim it and do the same to the other side.  This helps the bag sit flat.

Now, the outside is done!  Yeah!

Next, I cut 3 pieces of 12 x 12" squares out of the fabric for the lining.  One of the pieces I folded in half, laid it on another piece and stitched down pockets for pencils - They are about 1 1/2" apart.

Stitch lining pieces together on the side.  Cut another strip of fabric that is 6" wide and sew it to the top.  I then trimmed it so it was even with both side seams. 

Pin, sew, and trim the corners in the same way you did it before!

Turn it so the right sides are facing each other.  Fold the cuff to the wrong side.  I pressed 1/4" of the long edge of the cuff to the wrong side.

Now, a little hocus pocus happens here.  Stuff the liner into the outside bag.  Shift, shuffle, move until it lines up pretty well.  Fold the cuff over.  Pin, pin, pin.  You want the pressed edge of the cuff to just overlap the raw edge of the ruffles on top. 

Stitch it in place.

Voila - a lined bag.  I sewed a quick strap on and measured my daughter's body so I knew how long to make it.  Then I just sewed it to the outside.

We have several request for this bag.  I. gets asked all the time where to get it.  It takes me about 4 hours from start to finish, which is never in one block!  I hope this helps - Good luck!  If you have any questions, ask in the comments and I will answer!

Links:  Stories of A to Z, The Shabby Nest,  Just a Girl, Serenity Now