How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag

Originally posted 2012-05-10 08:00:52.

Add Ruffles to a Plain Tote Bag

I saw the cutest tote bag with fabric ruffles on it… I knew my daughter, aka “The Han”, would love it! Then I saw the price tag… I know a lot of people who would gladly pay $8.00 for this adorable bag, but I wasn’t going to do it. You see, I got my start as a seamstress. I’ve been sewing – literally – for years. I’ve made tons of things like clothing, an ATV cover, quilts, slipcovers, auto upholstery, a generator cover, etc. You name it, I’ve probably sewn it or something like it! So it is really hard for me to spend money on something I know I can whip out with materials I already have! Let me show you how to make a ruffled tote bag…

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag

I described the bag to The Han and asked her if she still had some of her plain canvas tote bags left. Luckily, she had one and she picked out fabrics for the ruffles from her own stash. She has been a budding fashionista for years – see her Hello Kitty flats here!

Materials:

  • Plain Canvas Tote Bag (<– affiliate link!)
  • Assorted Cotton Fabrics ( We used five different prints)
  • Sewing Machine & Thread
  • Scissors & Pins
  • Water-Soluble Marking Pen or Marking Pencil
  • Pin Back & Tacky Glue

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag fabric choices for ruffles

If the fabrics are new, start by washing and drying the pieces. I didn’t find it necessary to pre-wash the canvas bag but if can be done if need be. I decided to tear the ruffle pieces into strips about 3″ wide. Tearing the cotton fabric leaves a really cute ragged edge without looking sloppy! (The edges can be serged or hemmed, if desired)

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag tearing fabric into strips

I used the ruffler attachment for my sewing machine to make the ruffles. Easy-peasy!! If a ruffler attachment is not available, the ruffles can be created by sewing a basting stitch, either by hand or machine. (For instructions on making ruffles without a ruffler, see the last few steps of this post!)

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag sewing machine ruffler attachment

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag creating ruffles

Once the ruffles were finished, I used a marking pencil to draw lines on the bag.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag drawing lines on the tote for placement of the ruffles

I pinned the first ruffle on the line and used a straight stitch on the sewing machine.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag pinning ruffle in place on the tote

This process was repeated for the remaining ruffles.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag ruffles sewn in place

The Han wanted a pocket on the other side of the bag so I cut a piece of fabric for her and pressed the raw edges to the inside. I then stitched the pocket to the other side of the bag. I made another seam on the pocket to hold a pen or pencil.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag pocket sewn on opposite side of tote

I took a scrap of one of the ruffle fabrics and created a flower to sew on the ruffled side of the bag. In this step, the ruffle for the flower will be created without the ruffler. To do this, set the sewing machine for a long basting stitch and stitch down the center of the strip for the entire length. Do not use a back stitch to secure the beginning or end stitches.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag making the gathered flower

To gather the fabric, pull the top thread and let the fabric gather. Wrap this piece of thread around a pin to secure it.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag pulling the threads to gather

Pull the same thread at the opposite end and gather the entire piece. Do not gather it too tight. Wrap the piece of thread around another pin to secure it.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag gathered fabric strip

Set the machine back to a regular stitch and sew over the gathers down the middle of the piece. This will help secure the gathers.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag stitching gathered piece

To make the flower, start by folding the gathered piece of fabric in half widthwise, and roll the fabric in a coil.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag coiling the ruffle

At the same time with a needle and thread, stitch the back side of the fold to itself to secure the coil.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag handstitching the back

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag completed flower

Using the tacky glue, apply a line of glue to the back of the flower and set the pin back in place.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag attaching a pin clasp to the flower

Attach the flower to the bag as desired.

How to Make a Ruffled Tote Bag completed bag

Anyway, we were thrilled with the results! So cute and virtually free because we already had all of the materials we needed! What do you think? Any questions about how to make a ruffled tote bag? Leave a comment below!

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