Guestblogger Holly : Straps and Ruffles

To make the handles for the ruffled wasp bag, sew the outer and inner lining fabrics of one strap right sides together with the quilted lining/interfacing on top of the two layers. I used a ½” seam allowance.

Turn the strap right side out (this part can be a little difficult) and iron the seams. Topstitch each side of the strap at a ¼” seam allowance. Repeat with the other strap.

Next, take the outer and liner top pieces of one side of the purse and pin the right sides together with the lining/interfacing on top of the outer fabric. Place the strap in between the inner and outer fabrics as shown (the outer strap should face the outer fabric of the top piece). If you want to reinforce your handles, leave 1” of the strap showing along the top on each side. Sew along the top edge using a 3/8” seam allowance.

To reinforce the handles, open the handle piece and sew a rectangle through the outer fabric, lining/interfacing, and the strap. Then sew an X in the middle of the rectangle. Repeat with the other side of the strap.

Repeat this process to attach the second strap to the other side of the top purse piece and reinforce the handle.

Next, take one of your 4.5” x 28” rectangles for the ruffles. Baste along the long edge of the fabric with your tension set to the highest setting using a 1” seam allowance. Make sure you leave long threads when starting and finishing the seam and do not backstitch. Repeat along the other long edge of the fabric. Your fabric should already be starting to ruffle due to the increased tension setting. Make more ruffles by pulling the bobbin threads on each side to gather the fabric.

When your ruffle is the same length as your top piece, pin the ruffle to the outer fabric & lining/interfacing so the top seam of the ruffle is about ½” from the seam attaching the outer fabric to the inner lining. Sew along each of the ruffle seams to attach the ruffle to the handle.

Repeat this process to make the second ruffle and attach it to the other handle.

Before sewing the two handles together, make sure to pin the ruffle on the corners in so they don’t get sewn into the seam.

Then pin your handles right sides together and sew along the short edges of each handle with a 3/8” seam allowance. Attach your snap to each side of the inner lining if you haven’t done this already and set the handle piece aside.

Next, we’ll add our pockets to the inside of the purse and then sew it all together!