Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Tutorial to make the Gratitude Bag!



Did you stitch my 'Attitude of Gratitude" block, ready for use in today's tutorial?
The pattern is here in my shop as an instant download, and you can see more of the Primrose Sands fabrics I've used for the stitchery background and the bag assembly here.

Mr E and I go off on our Sunday adventures 'lightly packed' with just cameras, water and simple snacks, so I've really needed a smaller than usual bag to house basic girlie necessities of purse, phone and keys as we scale mountains and creeks, or wander country markets.
My 'Attitude of Gratitude' block, and Helen Stubbing's gorgeous new fabrics, were the perfect match for this useful project!

You will need to cut:

Grey Tonal fabric ~ one, 10" x 11" rectangle (this is for the 'Attitude of Gratitude' block) - or use your own stitchery - after stitching the block trim it back to 7.5" x 8.5".

Red Tonal fabric ~ one, 8.5" x 9.25" rectangle / one, 9.25" x 10.5" rectangle / one, 10.5" x 18" rectangle

Red and Grey print fabric ~ one, 4" x 42" length / one, 7.5" x 8.5" rectangle / two, 1.5" x 9.25" lengths

Fusible Pellon ~ one, 11" x 19" rectangle / 1.5" x 42" length

Red Buttons ~ one large, one medium 

Let's Start!

If you have stitched the "Attitude of Gratitude" block you can now trim it to 7.5" x 8.5". Make sure to trim it so you have 2" between the bottom of the block and the base of the stitchery...


Sew the 7.5" x 8.5" rectangle of red/grey print across the top of the stitchery. Press the seam open...



Fold over on the seam to make the front pocket. Machine sew a 1/4" seam under the top edge of the pocket...


Lay the pocket down on the 8.5" x 9.25" rectangle of red tonal fabric, raw edges even across the bottom...


Sew the pocket to the red backing with a scant 1/8th" seam around the sides and bottom...


Sew the 1.5" x 9.25" lengths of red/grey print down both sides of the pocket section...


...and the 9.25" x 10.5" rectangle of red tonal fabric across the bottom.


Fuse the Pellon behind, and quilt into the red sections not hidden by the pocket...



Fold in half, right sides facing, and sew up each side with a 1/4" seam to give you the outer bag...

Fold the 10.5" x 18" rectangle of red tonal fabric in half, right sides facing and sew a 1/4" seam up both sides. Turn right side out...


Make the handle by fusing the 1.5" x 42" length of scrap Pellon along the centre of the 4" x 42" length of red/grey print...


Sew the two long raw edges together with a 1/4" seam...


Turn right side out, press flat with the seam line down the middle of one side. Quilt lines 1/4" from the side edges...


Pin the handle ends across the side seams of the outer bag, right sides facing...


Sew in place with a 1/4" seam.

Push the handle inside the outer bag, and then push the lining in as well, keeping the side seam lines matching - the lining and the outer bag will have their right sides facing...pin the outer bag and the lining around the top raw edge...



Machine around the top edge with a 1/4" seam, but leave a 4" opening for turning out...


Turn the bag and lining right side out, and ladder stitch the opening closed.


Sew the buttons in place on the stitchery pocket...and you're all done!

Blossom and I went up the mountain today for some quiet time together in the fresh air, so my bag had it's first outing...



Perfect.

Tomorrow I'll share some photos of our day together, but for now I think you might have a bag to make?

hugs



15 comments:

Tammy said...

Super tutorial Jenny. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Annerose said...

Wunderschön, vielen Dank liebe Jenny. Du machst immer so schöne Dinge.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Chris said...

Beautiful bag. Your stitching is amazing. God bless.

Annie Beez said...

Love it Jenny!! The grey and red! Swoon!!!

Rita said...

Thank you so much. Beautiful bag!

Flor de Princesa said...

I love to visit your blog, beautiful works!

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Jen you are so generous...love the bag...

Helena Oops said...

Really lovely bag!
thank you for this tutorial!
Nice result!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jenny, your bag looks lovely plus very practical, can see these for gifts, think most of us can use a smaller bag just for necessities at times. Will your construction of the bag be added to your tutorial section. Have a great day, Judithann :-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

It's already there, Judithann. :-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Thanks Chris. x

Jenny of Elefantz said...

You're always so encouraging, Annerose! Bless you.

Katrina said...

This bag is just gorgeous, I can't wait to make it - thank you :)

miss~nance said...

Lovely bag.... Gail

Createology said...

Of course I bought this pattern but have not stitched it. I adore your little Gratitude bag and will think of these for gifts at special times. Thank you sew very much for sharing your tutorial. Truly Grateful Dear...