DIY Tutorial: How to Make a Quilted Frill Edge Tote Bag - Free Sewing Pattern Ruffle Tote
- Kimberley Hind
- Jun 7, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
(updated 15/08/24)
This summery ruffle tote bag features a large frill around the edge and a drawstring top for to keep belongings more secure. This bag can be made with or without the frill depending on your preference!
What you’ll need:
o Bag pattern
o 27" (68cm) x 22” (56cm) Outer fabric
o 30" (76cm) x 12.5" (31cm) Lining fabric
o 30" (76cm) x 12.5" (31cm) Wadding - 80/20 or Vlieseline H630
o Two pieces of frill fabric each measuring 33.5" (85cm) x 5.5" (14cm)
o 70" (178cm) ribbon
o Large safety pin
o Pins or clips
o Erasable fabric pen and ruler
Finished size:
18" x 13" (46cm x 33cm) including ruffle
Use 1/4" (1cm) seam allowance unless stated otherwise.
Print the bag pattern to 100% scale. Join the 2 pattern pieces together along the ‘join’ line and cut out the shape.
Instructions:
1. Cut 2 outer and 2 lining fabrics using the printed pattern. Cut each of the fabric pieces on the fold.
Cut 2 strips of fabric from the same outer fabric measuring 4" (10cm) x 24.5" (62cm) for the straps. Put the staps aside for later.
2. Adhere wadding to the back of each outer piece of fabric.
3. Draw diagonal lines 2” apart in two directions on the two outer pieces of fabric with an erasable fabric pen. These will be the guide for crosshatch quilting. Sew along each line to quilt.
4. Join the two frill fabric strips right sides together along one short edge to create one long strip.
5. Hem the ends of the frill by folding over by 1/4" twice and sewing.
6. Fold the strip in half lengthways with wrong sides together and press.
7. Sew two rows of gathering stitches along the raw edge side of the strip. Sewing two rows will help the gathering to sit flat.
To sew gathering stitches, set your sewing machine to the longest stitch (5). Leave a few cm of thread at each end.
8. Pull on the bottom threads at each end of the strip to start gathering. Keep gathering until the frill is the size of the outer edge of the outer bag fabric. Sew in place inside the seam allowance.
9. To make the channel for the draw string, cut two strips of outer fabric each measuring 11" (28cm) x 4.5" (11.5cm). Fold the short ends over twice by 1/4" and press. Sew in place. Fold the two strips in half lengthways with wrong sides together and press.
10. To make the straps, press each strap strip in half with wrong sides together. Open and press the long sides in to meet in the middle. Fold the strip in half again and press. Sew down each long side of the straps to finish.
11. Find the centre point of the channel by folding in half and creasing or marking with an erasable pen. Find the centre point of the top of the outer bag piece in the same way. Pin the channel to the top of the bag matching centre points with right sides together. Place the ends of the strap under the channel at each end, making sure the strap isn't twisted. Sew in place. Repeat with the other outer bag piece.
12. Sew the lining right sides together to each outer bag piece across the top.
13. Place the two bag pieces right sides together, lining to lining and outer to outer. Pin or clip in place matching the middle seams. Sew around the entire edge leaving a small gap in the base of the lining for turning.
14. Turn the bag right side out and sew the opening closed. Tuck the lining inside of the bag. Top stitch around the top of the bag.
15. Cut the ribbon in half. Use a safety pin to thread the ribbon though the channels in opposite directions.
Tie the ends of the ribbon in knots to secure.
16. That’s the bag finished! Pull on the ribbons on either side of the bag to close.
Fabric commissioned for this project