the Ruby market tote: Handles, Ties, & Pocket

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Today's post is really just an extension of Monday's post.  Today I have just a few more steps to get us a little closer to assembling the whole bag.  You'll need the remaining printed fat quarter for the lining that we set aside while piecing the bag body, the 1/3 yard of medium/heavy interfacing from the supply list, and the remaining nine 4" squares.  You'll also need the two 1 1/2" x WOF strips from the lining yardage.

First, we'll start with the ties.  Take your two 1 1/2" strips of fabric and fold them as for bias tape {even though they're not cut on the bias}.  In case you're unfamiliar with bias tape, simply fold in half, right sides together, then fold both the raw edges into the center.  Then stitch 1/8" from the double folded edge:

Cut your strips into four 10" pieces for the side ties and two 18" pieces for the top tie.  Set these aside.

From the printed fat quarter cut two 3 3/4" x 20" pieces for the handles.  Fuse two 3 3/4" x 20" pieces of medium/heavy interfacing to the wrong side of the handles.  Fold in half, right sides together and stitch 1/4" from raw edges.  Press the seam open and turn right side out.  Press flat with seam in the middle, then top stitch 1/4" from both edges.

From the remaining portion of the fat quarter, cut two 4" x 21/22" strips.  Sew these two strips together with a 1/4" seam allowance to make one 4" x 42/44" strip.  Fold in half, wrong sides together, and press.  This is the bag binding.  Set aside.

Lay out the nine 4" squares into a nine-patch pattern, and sew together.  Top stitch along all seams to hold the fabric in place.  This is the inside of the embroidered pocket.

Sorry this post is a little disjointed, but we're almost ready to assemble the bag!  I should have the remaining instructions early next week.  Happy stitching and sewing!

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