How to Sew an Adorable and Simple Ruffle Tote Bag
- Cassidy
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
I really wanted to sew a tote bag, but I was fed up with always seeing the same designs and boring shapes. I still wanted a straightforward structure, no difficult sewing techniques and something that would not require anyone to download another PDF pattern! So I designed this adorable ruffle tote bag, and I hope you all like it!
As I just said, I did not want to have to create another PDF pattern, but there is just one piece that is not a plain rectangle. And it is so easy to draft the paper pattern yourself that I am going to teach you how to do it!
Here is also a video tutorial if you prefer it:
What You Will Need:
2 contrasting fabrics (one for the shell and one for the lining)
Paper and drawing/measuring equipment
Sewing Machine
General sewing equipment (scissors, thread, iron, etc.)
Creating the Pattern Piece:
On your paper, draw a rectangle of 13" in width and 11" in height.
On the two bottom corners, slightly curve them with either a curved ruler or something round like a plate.
Cut it out, and you have just created your main pattern piece.
Cutting out your pieces of fabric:
Cut 2 of your main pattern pieces out of your shell and lining fabric (main piece).
Cut two rectangles measuring 3" x 17" out of your shell and lining fabric (gusset)
Cut 4 rectangles measuring 4" x 24" out of your shell fabric (straps).
Cut 6 rectangles measuring 3.5" x 21" out of your shell fabric (ruffle).
Method:
Notes: Unless specifically stated otherwise, all seams are sewn with a 1/4" seam allowance.
Pin two of your strap pieces right sides together. Sew down the two longest sides.
Turn right sides out. Iron flat. And oversew down the same two sides.
Repeat with your remaining strap pieces.
Pin your two shell gusset pieces, right sides together. Sew down one of the shortest sides.
Repeat with your two lining gusset pieces.
Pin three of your ruffle pieces wrong sides together, attaching them at the shortest edges to create one long strip. Sew them together.
Pin the seams again, but this time right sides together.
Sew with a 1/2" seam allowance. You have just sewn a French seam!
Along one of the longest edges, iron a double hem of 1/4" and then 1/4" again. Iron a double hem in the same way on the two shortest edges.
Sew all three hems closed.
Along the raw edge, sew two parallel lines of stitches with your longest stitch length and do not backstitch. Gently pull the two top threads to create gathers.
Gather the ruffle pieces until it is the same length as the three sides of your main piece minus 1".
Repeat all of those steps with the other three ruffle pieces.
Pin your ruffle right sides together to one of your shell main pieces, starting 1/2" from the top. You should finish 1/2" from the top on the other side.
Pin one of the longest sides of your shell gusset piece to the main piece, right sides together. So the ruffle should be sandwiched between the main and gusset pieces.
Sew all three pieces together.
Pin your second ruffle to your second shell main piece in the same way as the other.
Then pin the second side of your gusset in the same way as before to your second main piece. So you should be attaching your two main pieces with the one gusset piece.
Sew it together.
Pin your lining gusset to one of your lining main pieces, right sides together, and sew them together.
Sew your other main piece to the other side of your gusset.
Turn your lining right sides out.
Take one of your straps and pin it to either side of one side of your bag. Repeat with the other strap.
Place your lining inside your shell, right sides together. Pin the two top edges together.
Sew around the top, but leave a small gap in your sewing.
Turn the bag right side out using that gap, and iron the lining inside the bag.
Oversew around the top of the bag, closing the hole.
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