the Ruby market tote: Assembling the Bag

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Today I have the last installment of the Ruby market tote: Stitch & Quilt Along.  At this point the embroidery should be finished, the outside of the bag pieced, the lining should have the pockets all sewn in place, and the handles and ties are ready to go.  We're just ready to put all the pieces together.  {I didn't realize how few photos I took when I got to these steps, so if anything needs clarification, feel free to ask in the comments and I'll leave a response as well.

First of all, we'll start with the pocket.  Trim your embroidery to 11" square {it should be the same size as the patchwork pocket reverse from the last post}.  Place the two pieces right sides together and stitch 1/4" around the edge, leaving a 4" opening along the bottom.  Turn right side out and position 6 1/4" from the top of the bag, over the three center squares, as shown:

To make the bag, fold in half, right sides together, and sew the long side seams with a 3/8" seam allowance.  To make the corners, with the bag inside out, fold the point out and measure 3 1/2" from the point, draw a straight line and sew.  Cut the point 1/2" from seam allowance, as shown:

Repeat with the lining, but leave 2 1/2" of fabric beyond the seam.  Then, fold the point up to the bag side and pin in place.

Then top stitch the side of the bag, making sure to catch the bottom corner.  It should look like this:

Turn the patchwork bag right sides out and place the lining inside the bag, pin in place {I like to pin in the center front and back, and the sides}.  Optional:  Before placing the lining inside the bag, cut the plastic canvas to the shape of the bag bottom and sew inside {note: the bag will not roll if the canvas is sewn inside, the second option is to set the canvas in the bag when in use}.

Then, pin the handles 1/2" from the inner edge of each square next to the center, as shown.  Pin side ties 2 1/2" from center seam on both sides.  Top stitch around the top.

Edit to add: Pin top ties {not pictured here} to lining in the center front and center back of the bag.

To bind the bag, fold the 4" strip of binding in half long ways and press.  Match the seam in the binding to one of the side seams.  Then pin the binding around the bag, stopping about 3-4 inches from the opposite side seam on each side of the seam {note: for the picture I used one continuous cut of fabric, so I centered my seam on the back of the bag}.  Stitch in place using a 3/8" seam allowance.

Then, sew the two strips together and trim the binding.  Stitch along the opening.  Then fold the binding to the inside of the bag and stitch in place as for a quilt binding.

And there you have it, your bag is finished! If you've been Stitching & Quilting Along with us, please link you bag up {either a blog post or Flickr photo} to the linky below. The linky will be open for two weeks, and then two winners will be drawn. {For a starter kit and pattern of one of our popular bags: the Madeline bag or the Isabella bag. Fabrics are still to be determined.  Prizes will not be mailed until after the new year.}

In addition, if you finish the bag a free copy of our newest pattern {a coordinating clutch!} e-mailed to you when it is complete, so make sure you include your e-mail address with your entry.  Thanks for joining us.

Don't forget to show and tell in our Flickr Group! Did you blog about the quilt along, your fabric selection, or threads? Share your post here {please link only to a specific blog post or Flickr photo}:

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