Stick with me on this one. This is not a difficult bag to make, but it is complicated to explain, one of those things where its easier to show and describe in person.
Oh, and I have used a sewing machine in this tutorial but you don't need to, handsewing would work well. All sewing lines and rough outer edges are visible in this bag.
YOU will need
- Lining fabric
- Twine
- Wire
- Thread
- Interfacing
Making the pattern
First off you want to make/draft out the main body of your bag.
Basically you want to draw a trapezium, at any size you like.
Draw a rabbit ear on one side.
And that's your pattern
I made my pattern in a checked math book, you can see the scan above.
My bag measures 12.7cm along the top. 15.4cm at the bottom. 13.5cm down the side. Symmetry is important in this bag so get your ruler out.
Of the main bag piece (above) you will want to cut two outer bag pieces and two lining pieces.
You will also want a sash.
To find out the length of the sash add up the length of two sides and the bottom on your bag pattern.
For me that's 13.5 + 13.5 + 15.4 = 42.2cm
42.2cm is the length of my sash, and I decided that it would have a width of 7cm
- The sash could be any length you like, its all dependent on how wide you want your bag to be.
Cutting out the pieces
Do not. I repeat, DO NOT, cut out on doubled over fabric, you will end up with two bag pieces that are opposites, we do not want opposites we want two the same. I know, I can hear the growns from here, that feels so unnatural but go with me here.
Cut out one sash piece from the same fabric as the outer bag pieces.
Pin outer bag pieces to lining fabric, with wrong sides together- wrong side of outer bag piece to wrong side of lining.
Cut out the two lining pieces.
Now you have all the pieces you need cut out and ready to go.
Interfacing?
This is optional, not everyone has interfacing, but it is good.
-You can also buy iron-on waterproofing, which could also be added to these bags. That make these bags great for food storage, allowing for easy washing.
Whiskers
You can decorate these in any way you like; ribbons, paint, beads, glitter, sequins, feathers etc.
I have added some whiskers to my bag. Using a big needle and twime/wool sew some whiskers onto one of the outerbag pieces.
Ears!
Sew around the ear. (hopefully you can see the stitches in the photo above)
Sewing the sash
Place the wrong side of the sash on the lining on one of the bag pieces (doesn't matter which one)
Put the presser foot back down and sew along the bottom of the bag.
Stop 0.5cm away from the corner of the next side and repeat the swivelling, turning process you went through at the previous corner.
Sew up the other side of the bag.
I wasn't sure how to explain sewing the sash on. So I've added both a long winded and photographed process alongside this small condensed tip. I do hope you aren't too confused :(
Nose
Origionaly I wasn't going to add the nose but I changed my mind by the end.