part 3: mini Hallowe’en bag tutorial

Okay, so we’ve gotten as far as embroidering the picture – it’s time to sew the bag!

Before you sew up the sides of the bag, cut your lining out, using the outside as a pattern.

Now you can go ahead and sew up the sides, right sides together.  I’m using a 1/2″ seam allowance here.

In order to make a flat bottom on the bag, we need to sew a straight line 1″ from the edge of the side seam.  Open up the bag and flatten out the bottom edges, like I’m demonstrating here.

This is how the seam looks after it’s sewn.

And a view from the front of the bag (we’re still working on the wrong side here)

Repeat the above steps with the lining.  Sew the side seams and the bottom This quilting cotton is pretty wild – but I love the burgundy & golds with the fall colors on the outside of the bag!

Turn the bag right side out.  Slide the lining into the bag, with the wrong sides together (you should see the right side of the lining when you look inside the bag)   Fold 1/2″ all the way around the bag & lining, towards the wrong side.  Pin the outside & lining together, matching seams.

Topstitch all the way around the top of the bag.  It should look like this when you’re done – all the raw edges are hidden & the top edge is even.   You could also use a decorative machine embroidery stitch instead of a plain straight stitch.

I used a decorative grosgrain ribbon to make a handle for the bag (I’ll show you how to make the knot on the next post!)   I just used a straight stitch to securely attach the handle.

And here’s another view   I think these would make great decorations for a Hallowe’en party or even as gifts (it’s taken longer to write the tutorial than it takes to make them!)

Happy embroidering