craftgrrl | Ribbon Bag, Instructions

I posted photos of a ribbon bag that I made for my best gal pal Leah. This is the very first thing I've sewed, and the first pattern/instructions that made much sense to me. So I'm hoping this might be ventured forth as a good bag pattern for beginner sewers. Of course, experienced sewers would definitely have fun with this, too. This bag can be adapted to different colours (as I did) and even without ribbons. The instructions are shamefully stolen directly from the book Complete Craft by Katherine Sorrell (which is a pretty neat book if you're looking for some new projects).

Ribbon Bag
You Will Need
(to make a bag measuring 8 x 12 in)

Scissors
5 2/3 yds organza ribbon in pale green, 5/8in wide (A)
4 2/3 yds organza ribbon in mid-blue, 5/8in wide (B)
9 3/4 yds organza ribbon in mid-green, 1in wide (C)
Measuring tape
Four pieces of silk dupion, in citron green, two measuring 14 1/2 x 20in and two measuring 3 x 17in
Pins
Needle
Basting thread
20-25 coordinating beads
20-25 coordinating sequins
Iron
Four pieces of iron-on interfacing (the mid- to heavy-weight kind) measuring 14 1/2 x 20 in (you only need one piece this big, dispite the two pieces of fabric in corresponding size), 2 1/2 x 14 1/2in and two of 1 1/4 x 16in
Sewing machine
Thread to match the silk
1 1/4 yds taffeta ribbon in dark green, 1in wide (This is for the straps - I just used extra of the ribbon I used for the actual bag)
Button
Thread to match the button

Ribbon Bag: This gorgeous woven-ribbon bag, embellished with sparkly beads and sequins, is just the right size for a glamorous girls' night out.

The organza ribbons that are interwoven to create this project give it an air of delicacy and softness, but with its silk backing and iron-on interfacing the bag is robust enough to withstand a night on the town. When you are making it, simply ensure that the ribbons are straight and abutting each other neatly, and the rest of the project will be simplicity itself. If you wish, instead of the button-and-loop fastening, you could add a tie fastening with two ribbons, or an internal magnetic fastener.

How to Make:
1. Cut the three organza ribbons into lengths - A into five lengths of 20in and seven lengths of 14 1/2in; B into four lengths of 20in and six lengths of 14 1/2in; and C into nine lengths of 20in and twelve lengths of 14 1/2in. Lay one silk dupion rectangle measuring 14 1/2 x 20in on a flat surface. Place the 20in-long ribbons on top of it, abutting each other, alternating the colours as follows: ACBCACBC. Pin and baste them to one edge of the silk.
2. Place the 14 1/2in-long ribbons on top of the fabric, over the previous set and running in the opposite direction. Alternate the colours as before. Pin and then baste them to one edge of the silk. Start to weave the ribbons one by one, under and over alternating ribbons, pulling them squarely into place as you go. When all the ribbons are woven, pin them then baste them to the remaining two edges of the silk.
3. Neatly sew some beads and sequins to the surface of the woven ribbons, in a checkerboard pattern.
4. Press the 2 1/2 x 14 1/2 interfacing across the middle of the back of the woven-ribbon panel. Fold in half lengthwise with the right sides together; pin then stitch the two sides, leaving a 3/4in seam allowance. Stitch diagonally across the two bottom corners, 1 1/4in away from the corner points.
5. Cut, about 5/8in away from the stitching. Press the seams open and neatly turn out.
6. For the lining, press the 14 1/2 x 20in interfacing to the other 14 1/2 x 20in silk dupion rectangle. Fold in half (bringing the two short sides together), with the right sides together - pin then stitch the two sides, leaving a 3/4in seam allowance. Stitch diagonally across the two bottom corners and cut (as before). Press the seams open. Put the lining inside the outer bag.
7. To make the handles, first cut the taffeta ribbon into two 20in lengths. Take one of the silk dupion rectangles measuring 3 x 17in. Fold in half along the length and press, then fold in 3/8in on each edge and press again. Press the interfacing to the inside of one half, and stitch the tafetta ribbon to the top of the other side. Stitch neatly along the two edges, on the right side.
8. Take a short length of the remaining 5/8in organza ribbon, fold it in half and stitch together, making a loop large enough for your button. This will be the fastening for your bag, so check that it is positioned correctly. Insert the loop and baste between the lining and the outer bag. Then baste the two handles between the lining and the outer bag (I found that pinning them was good enough). Turn in the top edges of the lining and outer bag by about 3/4in each. Press, pin, and baste. Stitch neatly around the rim of the bag, just below the top on the right side. To finish, sew on the button securely, opposite the loop.
  
  Here are the step-by-step photographs from the book. Hopefully, despite the crappy scanning, you will be able to get the gist. Beware, these are gigantic photos. Dial up connections should probably avoid.
  http://www.ualberta.ca/~equinn/bag_leah_diagrams1.jpg
  http://www.ualberta.ca/~equinn/bag_leah_diagrams2.jpg
  
  Hopefully that is fairly clear and you can wrap your minds around it! If you have any question, please don't hesitate to ask! :)