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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Rainbow 'Stache Bag Tutorial


With St. Patrick's Day being so close to Easter this year (and me having limited time for holiday crafts), I've been working on projects with double-duty themes.  Today's tutorial has some moustache whimsy AND a splash of leprechaun luck: The Rainbow 'Stache Bag.



A roomy, deep tote to haul books, craft supplies, your stash or 'stache-related items, a giant leprechaun costume, whatever floats your boat. And it shows off a reverse applique (meaning it's sewn under a cut out shape instead of just stitched on top).  The rainbow is made with some bright solids, so even if you're not a moustache fan, you can rock a colorful looking applique with this how-to.




You'll Need:

- 6 strips of cotton fabric 2.5 inches wide by 5 inches high for the rainbow (I used Red, Orange, Daffodil, Lime, Royal and Grape from Timeless Treasures Soho Solids collection - they're super vibrant)
- 7/8 yd winter white cotton fabric (Milk from the same collection)
- 7/8 yd lining fabric (I went with more of the Red)
- 1yd fusible lightweight stabilizer
- Iron & ironing surface
- Paper & pencil
- Sewing Notions (shears, thread scissors, disappearing marker, pins)

Draw out a moustache on the paper that is about 4 inches high by 12 inches wide and cut out. Next take the rainbow pieces and, with right sides facing, stitch together the color strips as shown, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.




Press seams to one side and then press flat on right side and set aside.




Cut a 19 1/2 inch wide by 32 inch long rectangle from the stabilizer and white & lining fabrics.  Iron the stabilizer to wrong side of the white fabric.  Center the pattern piece on one side of the white fabric and trace shape on with disappearing marker.

 

Cut a second rectangle of stabilizer that's slightly bigger than the applique window (mine was 15 inches wide by 6 inches high).  Place wrong side up over the traced moustache and stitch into place:


Cut out center of moustache and clip around the curves:

Carefully pull interfacing through to the back and press into place.

Place the "window" over the rainbow piece.  I angled mine slightly since that looked better against the curved outline.  Pin the layers together.

Topstitch along the edge of the applique window.

With right sides facing, stitch together sides of bag outer & repeat with lining.

Square off bottom corners by stitching 3 inches inward to create the bag depth:

Cut a strap piece 5 inches wide by 32 inches high from the white fabric and stabilizer.  Fuse together and then with the right sides facing stitch along one short and the entire length sides.  Turn right side out, press and topstitch.


Center and pin each end to the top sides of the bag and baste together.

With right sides facing, insert bag lining into outer bag and pin along top.  Stitch all the way around with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a 2 inch gap for turning.  Turn right side out and then top stitch along top.

Now the Rainbow 'Stache is ready to roll!


I'm also sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.
Click HERE to check them out!

25 comments:

  1. I really love this! Great with the rainbow colors. I'd love for you to consider joining our first ever Pattern Party! Only those with free patterns to share are invited to link up! Check it out.
    http://getyourcraptogether.blogspot.com/search/label/Pattern%20Party

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    1. Will do Chelsea. I've added your button to my Party Page and will head over at the beginning of March:)

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  2. This is so cute and my daughter wants to have a stache birthday party next year so this would be such a great goodie bag!

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  3. Adorable!
    I would love for you to link this on "Show It Off Wednesday".
    http://viewfromrivermountain.blogspot.com/2013/02/show-it-off-wednesday.html

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    1. Thanks for the invite Jessica - I've linked up & am following you now:)

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  4. This is a cute and clever design. I like the combo of bright colors, moustache shape, and reverse applique. It's a fun look!

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  5. I love this idea! The rainbow mustache is too cute!

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  6. I love this bag! I love making them, too. Thanks for sharing your fun design!

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  7. Absolutely gorgeous, Cheryl!Thanks so much for sharing.!
    Have a fabulous weekend!
    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  8. Thanks for this amazing tutorial!!!
    Thanks for linking have a super week end!
    Xo
    Isabelle

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  9. Thanks for the invite - I've gone over & linked up:)

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  10. That is just too cute!! LOVE the colors! And that fabric behind your tutorial with the sewing theme is cute too! Great bags and tutorials! Thanks so much for sharing them with us for Pearls and Lace Thursday!
    Blessings,
    Doni

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  11. Cheryl, this is darling!! Happy weekend wishes to you and Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop, your participation is what makes it so much fun. Come back to Katherines Corner,I posted the new giveaway today! xo

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  12. This is so crazy cute!! I love it! Thanks so much for coming out to the party at Clean and Scentsible. I'll be featuring this today. Enjoy your Sunday!
    Jenn :)

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  13. SO fun!!! I love this idea!! I popped over from Project Inspire... I host a Tasteful Tuesday Party that I would love for you to join! http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2013/03/tasteful-tuesday-link-party-and-features.html

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  14. I love your bag! This is so fun! Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  15. Please link up to my party here :) http://diycraftyprojects.com/2013/03/whatcha-work-up-wednesday-23.html

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  16. Featuring your great bag today over at Creative Mondays, Thanks for joining us last week :)

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  17. How cute is this?! Oh my goodness! I have to try it, thanks for sharing :)

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  18. That's just too cute!!! and a great tutorial! thanks for sharing!

    I hopped over from the Bag loving blog hop :)

    HongKongChic

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  19. I love this bag so much and I am trying my best to make one myself. My only problem is that I am terrible at drawing. Do you happen to have a moustache template?

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    1. I'm also terrible at drawing, but I freehand drew the pattern - I recommend two options:

      1. Fold a piece of paper in half and mark the lines for the height & width as guides. Just draw one half and then cut it out to get perfect symmetry. I found it was a lot easier to draw the curves when I only had to worry about one side.

      2. If that still seems daunting, Google moustache outline images and then paste that into Word or some graphic software and enlarge it to the size you want...although that may end up more complicated than option 1, depending how savvy you are with graphics.

      Hope this helps & I'd love to see your bag when you finish it!!

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    2. Thank you so much for the tip. It really helped. I finally finished after struggling with the lining for 2 days. I wish I could attach a pic to the comments so you could see it.

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    3. So glad that helped! You can email it to me at info@sewcando.com & I'd loved to share it on the Sew Can Do Facebook page:)

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Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)