Polka dot bag

Préparation the fabrics for the polka dot bag

• Trace the following on the reverse of the fabric:
  • one rectangle 72 x 32cm (28 x 13 inches) for the main section of the bag
  • two strips 49 x 7cm (19 x 3 inches) for the handles
• Cut out the pieces. 

Sew the main section of the polka dot bag

• Fold the rectangle of fabric in half widthwise, right side together
• Stitch along the side and base of the bag, about 1cm (half an inch) from the edge
• Carefully fold in the sides of the bag so that they ‘tuck in’ at the base and form triangles with a base of 8cm (3 ½ inches) and height 4cm (1 ¾ inches).
• Iron in place.

Make the handles of th polka dot bag

• Place the two strips right side up on an ironing board.

• Press folds into the strips lengthwise, about 1 cm (half an inch) from the edge.

• Fold the strips in half lengthwise- they will be around 2,5 cm (1 inch) wide by this point.

• Pin the fold closed and stitch down, around 0,5 cm (¼ inch) from the edge, removing the pins as you go.

• Stitch down the other side, again at around 0,5 cm (¼ inch) from the edge.

Ribbon trim for the polka dot bag

• From the ribbon cut one length of:
  • 19cm (7 ½ inches) for the loop part of the ‘bow’
  • 35cm (14 inches) for the hanging ribbons
  • 30cm (12 inches) for the hanging ribbons 
• Fold the smallest piece of ribbon into a loop and secure the edges at the centre.
• Wrap one end of the longest piece of ribbon around the middle of the loop and secure at the back, along with the remaining piece.
• Cut the two hanging ribbons at an angle.

Assemble the polka dot bag

• Fold the top of the bag over by about 2 cm (1 inch) and pin in place.

• Pin the handles in place on either side on the reverse of the fabric - around 8 cm (3 inches) from the side seams and 9 cm (3 ½ inches) from the top edge.

• Stitch the handles firmly in place.

• Turn the bag the right way out.

• Stitch the remaining ribbon and trim around the bag, about 2 inches from the top or as desired.