Gathered Bag Tutorial2

7/28/2019 Gathered Bag Tutorial2

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Bumble Bee Bliss

Gathered Bag

Tutorial



Materials

Main fabric (This is the bottom ruffled portion): approximately ⅓ yard

• 2- 21 ½” X 10” pieces

First Coordinating Fabric (This is the top band): approximately ⅛ yard • 2- 4 ½” X 13 ½” pieces

Second Coordinating Fabric (This is for the ruffles): approximately ¼ yard

• 1- 3” X 45” strip

• 4- 1” X 45” strip

Lining Fabric: approximately ⅔ yard

• 2- 19” X 10” pieces (to be trimmed down later)

• 2- 4 ½” x 13 ½” pieces

• 1- 12” X 5” piece (for the lining purse bottom)

Purse Bottom (I used vinyl/ fake leather; however feel free to use whatever fabric you

wish.):

• 1- 12” X 5” piece

Other Materials:

• 55” of 1 ½” webbing

• 4- 2” grommets The fabrics I used are quilting weight cottons. Try and experiment with other types of fabric.

However, keep in mind you want a nice drape for the bottom ruffled potion so heavy fabrics are lesslikely to drape as nicely.

Notes on Interfacing

Interface the exterior bottom ruffled portion (the 21 ½” X 10” pieces) and the top

bands (the 4 ½” X 13 ½” pieces) with a light weight interfacing (Pellon Shape-Flex 101

would work). This allows the fabric to drape nicely.

Interface the lining pieces (the 9 ½” X 10” pieces and the 4 ½” x 13 ½” pieces) with a

medium weight interfacing (I used Pellon Décor Bond). This will give the purse shape

and strength without interfering with the drape of the ruffled potion. The ruffles do not

need any interfacing. For the purse bottom I used two layers of heavy weight

interfacing (like Pellon Peltex) for strength and support.

These are only suggestions, try and experiment with other interfacings as well!

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Sew a gathering stitch across one of the

long edges of the bottom ruffle panels

(the 21 ½” X 10” pieces).

Carefully pull the threads to gather.

Gather the fabric until it is 13 ½” long,

or until it matching the long edge of the

top band.

With right sides together sew the

bottom ruffled portion to the top band

with a ½” seam. Open and press flat.Repeat the previous steps with the

remaining ruffle panel and top band so

that you have two complete main

pieces.

Instructions 3



Take the 3” X 45” ruffle strip. Fold in half

lengthwise, with right sides together,

matching the long edges. Sew a ¼” seam

along the long edge, forming a tube.

Turn right side out and press so that the

seam is in the middle.

Using a ruffler attachment or a gathering

stitch, ruffle the strip, sewing down the

center of the strip. The ruffled length shouldbe approximately 27”. Cut the strip in half

so you now have two 13 ½” strips. (Note: If

ruffling with a gathering stitch it may be

easier if you cut the 45” strip in half and

THEN ruffle each piece to a length of 13 ½”.)

Place the ruffled strip over the top of the

seam between the top band and the bottom

ruffled portion. Sew in place, sewing over

the previous stitching line.

Repeat with the remaining ruffle strip and

main body piece.

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Place the two main body pieces right

sides together, matching the side

seams. Sew a ½” seam along each side.

Sew two separate gathering stitches

along the bottom. One along the

bottom of each main body piece.

Carefully pull threads to gather the

bottom.

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On the bottom of the main panel, match the side seams to the middle of the short

edge of the purse bottom and pin.

Continue to pin the bottom of the main body panel to the purse bottom with right

sides together. Gather or ease the gathers until they match and fit the bottom

piece. Check to ensure the gathers are even. Sew a ½” seam around the bottom

piece.

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Take the 19” X 10” lining pieces. On one of

the long (19”) edges measure in 2 ¾” in

from each end and mark. Draw a line fromthe 2 ¾” marks to the bottom corner of the

opposite long edge. Cut along these lines.

This forms a trapezoid shape.

Repeat for remaining panel.

Match the 13 ½” edge of the lining piece tothe long edge of the top band.

Sew a ½” seam.

Press open. Topstitch along the top edge of

the seam, if desired. Add any pocketsdesires. Install your magnetic snaps if you

are using them.

13 ½”

19”

10”

2 ¾” 2 ¾”

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Place the two lining pieces right sides

together, matching up the side seams.Sew a ½” seam along each side.

Sew a gathering stitch starting 1-2” from one of the side seams and stopping 1-2” on

the other side of the side seam. Repeat with the opposite side seam. Carefully pull the

threads to slightly gather.

Again, match the side seams to the

middle of the short edge of the

lining bottom and pin. Like before,Continue pinning and adjusting the

Gathers along the side to ensure the

pieces fit properly.

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Sew a ½” seam along the bottom, leaving an approximately 3” hole along one side.

Place the exterior body inside the lining body matching right sides together. At the top,

match the sides seams of the exterior and lining. Continue to pin along the top edge.

Sew a ½” around the top. Turn right

side out through the hole in the

lining bottom. Press along the top

edge.

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Topstitch along the top edge of the bag.

Install the grommets. Place one of the

grommets approximately ¼” from the

top and ¾” from one of the side seams.

With a pencil, draw a circle along the

inside ring of the grommet. Carefully cut

along the circle, through both layers.

Install grommets according to directions.

(I recommend the Dritz plastic curtain

grommets. They are easy to install,

simply snap them together.)

Take two of the 1” x 45” ruffle strips and

sew them together. Serge the edges of

the strips to prevent fraying (or leave

them if you like the frayed look).

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Ruffle the strips (either with a ruffler or

using the gathering stitch). The finished

length after ruffling was roughly 40”.

Repeat these steps so you have two

ruffled strips.

Cut the webbing into two 27 ½” pieces.

Feel free to adjust the handle length to

your preference.

Center you ruffled strips onto the

webbing handles. Trim the strips to fit

the handles. Tuck the raw edge of thestrip under ½”. Sew the ruffle to the

webbing sewing over your previous

stitching line.

Loop the handles through the

grommets. Match the wrong sides of

the handle just above the bag. Sew

across the handle to secure.

Tip: If you are using polypropylene webbing,

you can “seal” the edges so they won’t fray.

Simply iron ONLY the edge of the webbing for

a few seconds. It will slightly melt the edges

so they won’t fray. Be careful however, it will

melt if you leave the iron on too long or ironother parts of the webbing.

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Enjoy your new purse!!

Gathered Bag Tutorial2

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