Monday, July 23, 2012

Ruffled Crossbody Tote - with recessed zipper, zipper pocket & slip pockets

I finally got the guts up to sew my own purse. I've been craving a Ruffled Bag with a nice long cross body strap for forever, but have been too scared I'd botch it up (having never sewn a purse before).

As luck would have it, (& lots of helpful tutorials) I was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out!


Goodbye to the grody green purse I've been toting around for 12 months too long. My older sister has a particular distaste for it and tells me what it looks like. I'll give you a hint. It starts with a b and rhymes with scarf. I know. I never said it would be pretty. 


Anywho, back to my new ruffled bag... 

I hate purses that fall off my shoulders, so I made this bag with 1 wide/tapered strap that fits comfortably on my shoulder and across my body. I used a heavier weight natural cotton material and did not use interfacing because I like the slouchier look.


I created the ruffles by hand, much like I do with my shabby ruffled pillow cases, and secured the raw edges with fray check. The edge of the ruffles will still fray a bit, but I like the shabby look it creates.



I created square corners b/c I like the look and it gives it a tad more room.


If I was doing this purse making thing at all, I was doing it right. So even though I feared the inside zipper pocket, I put one in. And thanks to some fantastic tutorials, it was so much easier than I thought it would be! (see end of post for links). I also added some slip pockets for my phone, pens, etc. Love them.



Since I'm a bit fanatical about keeping my contents secure, I couldn't go with an open bag or magnetic snap. Although I dreaded it, I put in a zipper enclosure. It was a little tricky, but again, with the help of some tutorials I got it put in.


I just kept the back simple.

Now that I know I can sew my own purse, I'm craving making a few more! Like this cute Reversible Shoulder Bag from Lula Louise or maybe a lined zipper pouch like this from Skip to my Lou... We'll see.


Last step? Filling it with all my crap necessities. Now it looks more like my purse. hahaha



It takes a village to raise a child to help Shannon sew a purse! 
So as promised, here are some great resources I used to help me along the way.
*Putting in an inner zipper pocket and slip pockets 
Tutorial ~ Zippered and Slip Pocket Tutorial from Sew, Mama, Sew!
Sewing Zippers in Bags Tutorial 1. (aka Zippered inner bag pocket) from U-handbag
*Adding a recessed zipper to an existing purse or tote
Adding a recessed zipper closure to an existing purse or tote from Nancy Zieman
Adding recessed top zipper to purse/bag -Tutorial from Arm Candy for You
*Adding strap/sewing a tote bag together. *This also shows how to square your corners.
How to make a simple (reversible) tote bag: from Skip to my Lou

Other helpful tutorials:

If you have a tote but need to add a zipper to it:
How to add a zipper to an existing tote or bag: from Maiden Jane

If you're making a bag with a recessed zipper and straps on either side, this is a great tutorial:
Recessed Zipper How-to: from My Spare Time





Never miss a post! Subscribe to ShannonSews
Like on facebook.com/SSorensenDesigns
Follow @ShannonSews1 on Twitter
Subscribe to youtube.com/ShannonSews


Linked to
http://www.iheartnaptime.net, http://www.flamingotoes.com/, http://sewchatty.blogspot.com, http://cherishedtreasures-terry.blogspot.com, http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com, http://sewcando.blogspot.com, http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.comhttp://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/07/making-the-world-cuter/ , http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com, http://www.skiptomylou.org, http://youaretalkingtoomuch.blogspot.com, http://todayscreativeblog.net/, http://www.craftyconfessions.com/http://www.notjustahousewife.net/, http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com/, http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/ , http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/http://offthegridat-30.blogspot.ca/2012/07/frugal-i-did-it-tuesday-2.html , http://www.sew-much-ado.com/http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/http://www.creationsbykara.com/http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/, http://www.rolleduppretty.com/, http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/ http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com/  http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com  http://www.somewhatsimple.com/  http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/ http://www.houseofhepworths.com/ http://www.the36thavenue.com/ http://www.504main.com http://shabbynest.blogspot.com http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/  http://tatertotsandjello.com/   http://www.delicateconstruction.com/ http://www.mineforthemaking.com/


Tip Junkie handmade projects

28 comments:

  1. i've been luggin around the same ole purse for a long time too! your new ruffle bag is darling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Emily! I was too stubborn to just go buy a new purse because I'd challenged myself to make one. I can finally say goodbye to that gross old green one! hahaha Not sad to see it go.

      Delete
  2. Shannon sews is an understatement. That bag is GORGEOUS. Like beyond gorgeous. I can't believe you made those ruffles by hand. And, I loved the credits you left, it hardly took a village for you to make your bag BUT you've gotta love a blogger that gives credit where credit is due :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! Amy! What sweet comments. I really appreciate it!

      Delete
  3. This is beautiful! I love it!

    Helen
    Blue Eyed Beauty Blog

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love it! I have a lot of purses (Can I help it if they follow me home?) that need makeovers. I would love for you to share it and others on my new blog hop Frugal "I Did It!" Tuesday. http://offthegridat-30.blogspot.ca/2012/07/frugal-i-did-it-tuesday-2.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the invite and for hosting a link party! I just dropped by your site and am your newest follower! :)

      Delete
  5. I love ruffles and crossbody bags. Great combination.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for linking to TAke-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts - you were featured today!
    --Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Mandy!! I really appreciate you featuring me!

      Delete
  7. WOW! It looks great - you did an excellent job! Ruffles intimidate me, so I haven't tried making them yet. Thanks for including the tutorials!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruffles are easier than you think. I hope you give it a try sometime. They're awfully fun to make! :)

      Delete
  8. This is adorable!!! You gotta love sisters for not sugar-coating things :) Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful bag!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Karen! I'm sure my sis will find something else to make fun of me about hahaha, but not my purse. :)

      Delete
  9. Love it, love it, love it!

    Hopping by and following your lovely blog (FB and Pinterest).

    The Quiet Mom blogging @ How to Cook Fresh Artichoke Recipe

    Also, don't miss our Custom Blog or Social Network Button Giveaway

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for following! I've already checked out your great blog!

      Delete
  10. Thanks so much for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday, I featured this on my blog today! Come stop by and grab a featured button! http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2012/07/your-whims-wednesday-70-and-features.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Always so nice to be featured on something I put my heart into. Thanks so much Rebecca!

      Delete
  11. Shannon! Gorgeous bag! I also hate it when purses fall off my shoulders! I'm inspired!! You did a fantastic job! I need to get sewing again! Saw this on DIY by Design :D I'm over at thestonybrookhouse.com in you want to stop by. Blessings,Lori

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Lori! I'm loving the cross-body strap - no falling off my shoulders. It's the only way to go if you hate slippery purses! :)

      Delete
  12. LOVE! I saw the word ruffle and had to come right over. I am a ruffle girl all the way...so darn pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm crazy about ruffles too! Can't get enough of them. Thanks so much for your sweet comment!

      Delete
  13. You did an awesome job. I will be featuring this tonight at my Sizzle into Summer party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks again for the feature Judy! It's fun to see something I worked so hard on be recognized. I really appreciate it! :)

      Delete
  14. Thanks for sharing my zipper tute!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great!! If you want to save money while shopping beautiful tote bags at Best Prices

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear what you have to say! Thanks so much for your comments! ♥

Blogging tips