Ruffled City Slicker Bag

Here is another City Slicker Bag.  The pattern is designed by Chris W. Designs. 

Shortly after finishing the last City Slicker Bag I wanted to sew ruffles.  So, I did.  I figured, why not make the City Slicker Bag.  Oh!  All right! Everything was still sitting out, and I started to play. 

Here is the front of the bag.  I added the ruffles to the sides of the bag and I used lace on the front and back panels.   I updated this front.  See this post.

I will include a very rough tutorial on how I added the ruffles on this bag.  So, bear with me.  :)

On the front pocket, I trimmed 3/8" from the outside of the front pocket flap.  I then should have taken a strip of fabric that was 1 1/2" wide by double the length of the outside edge of the flap.  I say should have as my fabric was a little bit wider and I'm not exactly happy with it.  Anywho, place wrong sides together matching the long edge and press.  Then run a basting stitch close to the raw edge.  Pull the bobbin thread and ruffle the strip of fabric.  Pin ruffle around front flap piece starting and stopping 3/8" from the top on each end.  Sew 1/8" from raw edge.    Finish front flap as directed. 

 

Here is the back of the bag.  I think I'm now addicted to welt pockets.  :)

 

To add ruffles to the side pieces, I cut several strips of fabric that were 4 1/2" wide.  The fabric I used is 54" wide.  I **think** I cut (6)  4 1/2" wide strips--yep, I am suffering from a case of CRS.   Take two strips, match short ends and sew together using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Press this seam open.  Add another strip to the other end.  Continue this process until all strips are sewn together.  Then place the long strip right sides together matching long raw edge.  Sew all along the long raw edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Turn this right side out and press.  Run a long basting stitch close to the top long edge you sewed together previously.  If you feel the need you could run two basting stitches slightly apart.  I didn't.   You will pull the bobbin thread(s) to make the ruffles in a little bit.   

Now, take one side panel. From the top curved edge, measure and mark a line that is 1 1/2" away from the top edge.  Note: your line will be curved.  Continue marking curved lines 1 1/2" from previous line all the way to the bottom.  Note: there will be less than 1 1/2" from bottom line to bottom of the side panel. 

Take your long strip of fabric and roughly measure along the bottom drawn line on the side panel piece.  Mark this length (I just held it with my thumb) then double this length and cut.  Pull the bobbin thread and ruffle up your strip of fabric so that it is somewhat even.  Pin this piece along the bottom curved line.  Even out ruffles if needed.  Then sew into place along the curved line.  Since there is a lot of fabric hanging down I went ahead and basted the fabric strip in place from the  bottom line, to the bottom corner, along the bottom to the other corner, then up to the line.  I then cut the fabric to match the panel piece.  Continue adding ruffle pieces to all the lines as described above with one exception.  I waited until all ruffle lines were attached before basting along both sides of the side panel piece and trimming the ruffles to match the side panel piece. 

Whew!  I hope that was somewhat clear.  Please ask if you have any questions.   

 

The denim accent fabric I used is from my son's out grown jeans.  I guess the upside of having a still growing 6'2" young man is that I have lots of outgrown denim around.  Although, I have to admit it is just not right that I have to look up to talk to him.  

Enjoy your day!