These shabby chic Raggy Bags are not only functional while looking great but they are also reversible, allowing you to create two completely different looks with just one bag!
Oh, and if you have trouble sewing in a straight line you don’t need to worry as they are super-easy to make too. You can make one up in an hour or so, making this the perfect pattern to keep to hand for last minute gifts! The frayed edges give the a marvellous shabby chic feel – ideal for the vintage lover!
Here are the instructions to make one large reversible Raggy Bag measuring approximately 12″ wide and 4″ deep:
Material needed:
35 x 5″ squares in Design A for raggy side (shown outside in photo above)
35 x 5″ squares in Design B for ‘neat’ side
35 x 4″ squares batting
thread
Instructions:
Get your pile of squares ready to sew. Each square will be made of one piece of Design A fabric (for the raggy side), and one piece of Design B fabric (for the ‘neat’ side). Place on square of Design A right side down on the table. Place a piece of batting centred on the inside of the fabric, leaving a border of fabric showing around it. Finish off by placing one square of Design B right side up and hold together with a pin in the centre. You should see your fabric design on both sides of your square.
You can see my Design B fabric (making up the ‘neat’ side of the large bag) facing up on this stack of prepared squares
Work through your pile of fabric sewing together each of your squares diagonally from one corner to the other in order to secure them together. Remove the pin:
Sew each square diagonally across in both directions
Align two squares with your Design A (raggy side) fabric facing outwards and stitch along one edge using a quarter inch seam allowance. The join will be facing you when you unfold your square:
The raggy side begins…
Sew together nine rows of three squares. Set out nine squares in your chosen arrangement…
Set out your squares for each side
Sew together three rows of three squares to make one larger patchwork of nine squares. All the seams should be facing you…
Sew three rows together with the right sides outwards when you sew, so that the seams face you when laid out
Repeat with another nine patches for the second side. Sew three rows of three patches for the two edges and the bottom of the bag.
Now you can start sewing your bag together. Sew the front of your bag to one of the long sides of your three patch edges, again making sure your seam is made with the right sides of the bag (Design A) facing outwards. Sew the back of your back along the second long side of the edge. Now sew on the bottom before adding the final edge.
Stitch around along the top of your bag, once again using a quarter inch seam allowance.
You should have eight patches remaining. Sew them together in one long row to make the handle. Stitch to the sides of your bag, going back and stitching again to reinforce the seam.
Go along each of the seams, snipping along as you go. Make sure you don’t snip through your stitches!
Snip along your seams
Your bag is now complete! Put it through the washing machine (they can be washed at 30 or 40 degrees), then through the tumble drier. This will fray the edges of the bag, giving it a fabulous vintage look!
Large reversible raggy bag – the raggy side
You can also make a smaller bag using 24 pieces of fabric and batting, with 4 patches on each side, 2 for the bottom and edges and 10 for the handle. The small bag measures approximately 8″ wide and 4″ deep. Here is the raggy side of the big and small bags…
Big and small raggy bags – raggy side showing
And here is a completely different fabric for the ‘neat’ side…
The ‘neat’ side of the large and small bags
Do let us know if you give this project a try! We’d love to see your creations!
Isobel loves her new bag!
I love this! A fun thing for me to enjoy making and a great little bag for my 2 daughters to enjoy filling up with their ‘shopping’ when they play.
Thank you for posting this!
My pleasure! Let me know if you try it!
Did you use a sewing machine? I’d love to give it a try but I’d be sewing by hand and I’m thinking that might be a bit of a big undertaking!
I’ve just bought a sewing machine and hold you entirely responsible!! Lol.
I have finally got around to writting a post about my attempt 🙂 I’ve linked over to your tutorial to in case someone reading it fancies a try.
Love Love Love my bag though.
x x x
Brilliant work!!! Just amazing. Wonderful tutorial. I will try to make this today. Thanks Larger Family Life for sharing this nice skill.