Jelly Roll Bag Tutorial

This bag is the perfect get-up-and-go accessory for summer, and as promised, here is the tutorial for the Jelly Roll Bag I gave away for the Sew, Mama, Sew! May Giveaway day.  I hope you give it a try and let me know if you have any questions or comments on the tutorial.  I'm open to feedback, but most of all hope you have fun making and using the bag.  Enjoy!

Finished Dimentions:
9.5x11x3 inches

Materials:
1 Jelly Roll

Special Supplies:
Pinking Rotary Blade

Instructions:
Step 1: Pick 2 strips from your jelly roll for the handles of the bag and set aside.

Step 2: Select 22 strips from the jelly roll for the body of the bag and do the following:
- Fold each strip in half lengthwise and press
- Stitch a 1/4" seam along the length of each strip on side with the pinking edging.

Step 3: Select 11 strips to be the vertical strips and cut these down to 28.5 inches.

Step 4: The remaining 11 strips will be the 22 horizontal strips of the bag. Cut twenty-two 13.75 inch strips.

Step 5: With the 11 vertical strips, chain-stitch a 1/4 inch seam on the edge of each vertical strip keeping each strip touching the next.

Step 6: Use a piece of masking tape and tape the 1/4 inch seam to a flat surface.  This will help keep the piece sturdy for the next steps.

Step 7: Weave each horizontal strip between the vertical strips, pinning in place as you go.  Once you have 4-5 horizontal strips, stitch a zig-zag stitch along the line where the horizontal strips meet.

Step 8: Once all the horizontal pieces have been weaved between the vertical strips, sew a zig-zag stitch along the edge of the first and last horizontal strips, vertical strips, and then between the vertical strips, securing all remaining strip edges in place.

Step 9: Using a pinking rotary cutter, cut along the original 1/4 inch edge.  Next trim the opposite edge for any vertical strips extending beyond the last horizontal strip.

Step 10: Fold the piece right sides together, pin and using a straight stitch, sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance along each side to form the bag.

Step 11: Trim the resulting seam allowance with the pinking rotary blade being careful to leave most of the seam allowance.

Step 12: Spread out the opening of the bag and fold one of the seams into the center of the bag creating a triangle for the bottom corner.

Step 13: Keeping the fabric trued-up, set a ruler perpendicular to the side seam and find the spot that is 3 inches wide.  Use a chalking tool to mark the line, pin the fabric together and then sew a strait stitch on the chalk line.

Step 14: Cut a 1/4 seam allowance with the pinking rotary cutter.

Step 15: Repeat steps 12-14.

Step 16: While right sides are still together, fold the top edge down making sure to match the placement of the zig-zag stitches and iron using lots of steam.

Step 17: Turn the bag right side out and pin the folded top edge into place.  Sew a zig-zag stitch along the original zig-zag stitching to hold the turned edge into place.

Step 18: Making the straps:
- Cut two strips of interfacing, 41x2 inches.
- Iron the interfacing in the center of the wrong side of the two strips chosen for the bag's straps.
- Next, iron each strip in half lengthwise.
- Place the two strips on top of each other with the pinking edge facing opposite directions.
- Topstitch 1/8th in. front he straight folded edge of each strip.
- Follow up with a decorative zig-zag stitch over each of the straight topstitch lines.
- Cut the strip in two to make two handles and finish the edges with the pinking rotary cutter.

Step 19: Pin the edge of the handle to the inside of the bag.  Following the outline of a square, topstitch around the square and then finish with a decorative zig-zag stitch.  Complete this step for all four handle ends.

Note: In sewing the handle ends to the bag, I sewed from the outside of the bag to make sure I was following the lines of an existing square so the stitching that shows on the front matches the existing outside stitching.

Congratulations, you've completed the Jelly Roll Bag!!!