A Darling Little Bag

I found the tutorial for this little friendship bag on Rachel Griffith's blog: psiquilt.com  Here's a little tutorial here and you can check out hers.

It's quite easy to make.  

1.  Cut: 

          16 strips of 5" x 1 1/2" all different fabrics (for the sides)

          One  5" x 8 1/2" piece, which will be the bag bottom

           One long strip of fabric 3 3/4" x 21" (handles)

2.  Sew 8 strips together for each side and then sew the bag bottom piece between the two side strip pieces (see photo)

3.  Handles (different from Rachel's):  Fold long strip in half long ways and press and then fold each long edge to the center fold and press (the width is now about 7/8th inch)  Insert a strip of batting inside and sew down the length 3 or 4 times (I saw this on the Missouri Star Quilting Co. tutorial -- three tote bags from one charm pack).  You will cut this in half and trim to get your two 10 inch handles.

4.  Lay down the bag top on a piece of batting and quilt.  I quilted a paisley design but you could sew straight lines and it would be just as cute!  (See more recent posts for straight stitching photos.)
5.  Use this quilted piece as a pattern and cut out your lining exactly the same size.
6.  (Follow these instructions for the bag and then do the same thing to the lining)  Sew the sides (right sides together)
7.  "Box" the corners (please see Rachel's or the Missouri Star tutorial for this technique) of the bag and then also the lining.  (You now have two separate bags, the tote and the lining)  Unpick about 3 inches midway down the lining side seam.
8.  Pin the handles onto the outside of the bag so the handles are going down and place this into the lining bag which should be inside out so the right sides are together.
9.  Sew 1/4 inch around the top and I backstitch several times across the handles.
10.  Turn right side out.  Topstitch 1/4 inch around the bag top and sew the lining closed again.  That's it!  You're done!

 I love Rachel's idea of putting in a couple of charm packs or fat quarters and some rick rack for a gift for quilty friends or anything else you might think of!  Her tutorial is very thorough and you'll also love her southern accent!  Because this is small, it's quick to make, you could use up scraps, and have the cutest little bags on hand for a quick gift!