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Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap

This spacious handbag is a real eye-catcher. It works very well with jeans, but it can also be worn on more formal occasions.
The tote features the designs from the Porcelain Rooster Set for a large (5" x 7") hoop.
The finished size of the bag is about 14" high x 16" wide x 4" deep.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 1

You will need

  • 1/2 yard of blue patterned cotton fabric,
  • 1/2 yard of undyed cotton fabric (Osnaburg works nicely),
  • 1/2 yard of fabric for the lining, a piece of batting.
You will also need
  • 2 square rings 1" wide,
  • a magnetic clasp (optional) and
  • medium weight sewing interfacing with a heat-activated adhesive layer.


For embroidery you will need light-weight cut-away stabilizer and embroidery threads. Try to match the color of the thread to the color of your fabric.

Cutting:

Out of patterned blue fabric, cut a rectangle measuring 18" x 30", this will be the top of the bag, cut the remaining fabric into 3 strips measuring 2" x 18".

Out of the fabric for the lining, cut

  • a piece measuring 19" x 31" and
  • a rectangle measuring 10 1/2" x 14 1/2" (this will be the inner pocket).
Out of the undyed fabric, cut
  • 2 strips measuring 5" x 18" (for the upper edge of the bag),
  • 2 strips measuring 2" x 13",
  • 3 strips measuring 2" x 18".
Graph the remaining undyed fabric graph into 2 rectangles measuring 10 1/2" x 14 1/2", these will be the outer pockets with embroidery. DO not cut them out before the embroidery is done.

Out of sewing interfacing cut a strip measuring 4" x 18" and 3 strips measuring 1" x 18".

Embroidery:

Working with the undyed fabric that you have graphed into rectangles, fold it in half widthwise and press to mark the center. Stabilize one half of the rectangle and embroider the first design from the Porcelain Rooster Set .

The design on the left pocket is in the cross-stitch technique. The design on the right pocket is in the Assisi technique.

Cut away the excess stabilizer.
Cut out the rectangles. Trim them to 10 1/2" x 14 1/2".

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 2

Fold the rectangles widthwise, face inwars. Sew along the bottom edge and both side edges with seam allowance 1/4". Turn right side out. Press. Tuck in the unfinished upper edge, 1/2" inside. Press. Topstitch 1/4" from the edge.

In the same way, make the inner pocket out of the 10 1/2" x 14 1/2" piece of the lining.

Quilting:

Now place the backing/lining on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting. Spread the 18" x 30" blue piece over it.

Pin all three layers together with 1" pins. We quilted all over the bag in a free-motion style. Remove the pins while quilting.

Press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length. Ideally the piece should remain 18" x 30". If the measurements change, you might have to make adjustments to the other top strips.

Fold the work in half widthwise and cut away two rectangles measuring 2 1/2" x 2" on both sides at the bottom.

Assembly:

Topstitch the outer pockets to the front panel of the bag.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 3

Topstitch the inner pocket to the lining side of the back panel.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 4

Place the 5" x 18" strips on the ironing board, face down. Position 4" x 18" fusible interfacing strips on them, leaving 1/2" on each long side. Following the manufacture's instructions, adhere the interfacing to the strips.
Fold the strips in half legthwise and press to mark the center.

Unfold and position the strips along the upper edges of the bag on the side of the lining. The right side of the strip should face the lining. Align the edges. Stitch twice - 1/4" and 1/2" from the edge. Unfold the strips.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 5

Fold the bag, lining inside. Align all edges. Pin. Topstitch one side 5/8" from the edge. Press the seam open.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 6

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 7

Take one of the 2" x 13" strips. Fold in half lengthwise, wrong side inwards. Lightly press to mark the center. Unfold, then fold the edges to the center. Press.
Position the strip over the open seam of the bag. Baste in place. Topstitch the strip in place.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 8

Repeat for the other side. In order to topstitch the strip to cover the seam, you will have to turn the bag right side in and stitch from inside.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 9

If you are using the magnetic clasp, install it now.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 10

Fold the upper strip over the bag. Tuck in the unfinished lower edge. Baste. Press. Topstitch in place. It's more convenient to turn the bag right side in and topstitch from inside.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 11

Turn the bag right side in. Align the bottom edges and stitch them twice. Finish the raw edges with zig-zag.

The Handle

Take the three 2" x 18" blue and three undyed strips. Sew 2 undyed strips in one. Sew 2 blue strips in one. Press the seams open.

Fold all the strips in half lengthwise and lightly press to mark the center. Unfold. Fold the edges to the central line. Press. Insert the 1" x 18" interfacing strips inside the blue strips and adhere the interfacing to the fabric.

Position the blue and natural colored strips back to back. Align the edges. Pin. Topstitch them together.

Finish the short edges with zig-zag. As a result, you will get an 18" long strip and a 35" long strip.

From the 18" long strip, cut 2 strips 6" long each. Pass them through the square rings. Fold the strip in half and topstitch the ends together. Pin to the side seams of the bag from inside. Topstitch in place.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 12

Insert the ends of the long strip into the rings. Pin. Adjust the length of the handle to fit you. Topstitch the ends.

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 13

That's it! The bag is ready!

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 14

Blue Rooster Handbag with Shoulder Strap image 15

Enjoy!

Happy Stitching!

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