Sunday, January 11, 2009

Dilly Bag Tutorial!

Here is a lovely little Dilly Bag - 24" in circumference, 9 1/2" high and 7" diameter base (approximate measurements).

Step 1: Cut 10" diameter circles from outside fabric , lining fabric , and batting (I like something like cotton Warm'n'Natural) for the base. Press outer fabric into eighths. Layer the three circles and machine quilt. This forms a nice firm quilted base for your bag.
Step 2: Trim base back to 8" diameter.

Step 3: Working from the top, cut:

2 x pink strips 1 3/4" x 12 1/2"
2 x blue strips 2" x 12 1/2"
2 x printed strips 6 1/2" x 12 1/2"
2 x green strips 2" x 12 1/2"
Step 4: Sew all strips together as illustrated. Each side of the bag should now measure 10 3/4" x 24 1/2". Press on wrong side, pressing blue strips outwards towards the pink and printed fabrics. This strip forms the casing for the drawstrings

Step 5: Sew both sides together with a slightly generous 1/4" seam and leaving an opening, as illustrated, for the drawstrings to be inserted. The pic below is a good illustration, leaving an opening between the pins. Re-inforce both sides of the opening.


Step 6: Press side seams open and stitch as shown to neaten opening.

Step 7: Cut lining 10 3/4" x 24 1/2" and stitch short sides to form a circle. Turn outer bag inside out and pin lining to bag as shown with right sides together (this is a good tip for most bag linings). That is, you will be sewing on the wrong side of the lining fabric.

Step 8: Stitch around the top of the bag working from the inside where the pins are, as illustrated.
Step 9: Turn lining to the inside neatly - a little press with the iron helps here. Stitch in the ditch both sides of the blue strips - this forms the casing for the drawstrings.

Step 10: Baste around the bottom of the bag, about 1/8" from the edge.

Step 11: Trim neatly if necessary.
Step 12: Divide lower edge of bag into eighths and match up with quilting lines on the base. Pin, then stitch a scant 1/4" with the outer bag on the outside as shown.


Check that the base is securely sewn on both sides.

Step 13: Turn bag inside out and pin neatly around formed ridge on base. Stitch a generous 1/4" seam - you will be able to feel where you should stitch to enclose both edges.

Step 14: Turn bag right side out. This is a rather rewarding moment - you will notice the bag is sort-of freestanding. The way the base is attached gives the bag lovely stability!
Step 15: Cut 80" or 2 metres of cording in half for the drawstring. From one side, using a safety pin run one cord inside the blue casing. Then repeat from the other side. Little beads make a nice addition to the ends of the drawstring. If not available just knot both ends together.
This bag can be made in many sizes using this method - my goodness, I didn't realize when I was doing Maths at school that they would become useful one day. To find the circumference of a circle, 2 x 3.142 (pi) x radius, so just add seam allowances to that - the height? - well, I guess that is where ratio comes in, but the poor wee brain is too boggled at the moment.
This is a very simple bag, but a very nicely sitting bag with the round base - lots and lots of uses and a great gift. Once you have made one, they take only about an hour to make and you can use all sorts of colour combinations, can be kept very plain if you like, or made very scrappy as I have shown in previous Posts.
I hope you enjoy making them and please send a pic when you do!
♥ ... Hugs ... ♥
PS - will one of you clever girls please make one soon and give me feedback - I would like to know if my instructions, measurement etc. are accurate. I made another bag quickly this morning and it turned out beautifully - here's hoping I am not leading anyone up the garden path

42 Lovely People said ...:

Julia said...

Oh, That's so cute Lurline...
The instructions look good to me, very easy to follow and great with the photos to actually see..
Hugs Julia ♥

Pat said...

I love that little bag. Thanks so much. Sounds easy enough.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Fantastic tutorial Lurline....and I also love your hexagons.

Anonymous said...

I love this bag. The fabric with the cute dog and cat is so bright and sweet. I don't sew any longer, but your instructions sure seem perfect to me.

Willow Grove - Kez said...

Than you Lurline. Im going to print it off and think about the material for it. I have got something in mine but I need to make it bigger. Catch up soon.

Shari said...

This is a good tutorial with very clear instructions and photos. Great job Lurline! You are an amazing woman!! C'ya tomorrow!
Hugs

Shar said...

Great tutorial!I love this little bag.I'll be making one tommorrow. Using some Be Happy by Mary Lou Weidman fabrics. Thank you for sharing this cute bag.

Shar :)

Terri S said...

What a cute bag!! I'm still learning to speak Australian, so for future reference, what is a dilly?

I love your hexagons too. What an ambitious project!! I can't wait to see your progress.

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Tote bags seem to be the thing lately, but you did yours in just one lesson! My tutorial took 7! Oh my!

This bag is just darling. I love all the fun fabrics you used.

MGM

Nima said...

Lurline, thank you for sharing the tutorial....the bag looks superb...beautiful fabric choice.

Crafts a la Mode said...

Lurline, Very nice tutorial. I'm going to print it off and make one. They would be great gifts. We have about 6 little girls in the family and I think they would love these. Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

The bag is beautiful!
Kind regards,

Sonnja & Bear Zonn

Janet said...

Great tutorial, it looks esy to follow but you must share some information about the cute fabric, it's great in the bag.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Darling! Looks like a great tutorial and I love lots of pictures. I'm wondering who will be the first to make one. I'll be trying one soon. Thanks so much Lurline!

Julie said...

you've done a fantastic job with your tutorial lurline! and your dilly bag is so sweet. looking forward to seeing more tutes from you.
julie x

Cornfield Quilter said...

I love the bag and with your instructions I will be able to make one too. Thanks so much! I am in awe, you are my hero! I have made one octagon pieced quilted and am still in the process of quilting it, it is at least 7 years old, older than my one grandaughter! How do you do all that you do?? Thanks so much for all the wonderful eye candy, it has made my Monday complete. :D

Purple and Paisley said...

thank you for the tutorial - excellent job! i can't wait to make my first dilly bag!!!!! ☺☺☺

em's scrapbag said...

I am so excited to make one of these. Thanks for a great tutorial.

Stina Blomgren said...

Oh its so sweet...thanks for the tutorial... :o)

Shar said...

I made my bag today(photo on my blog) Changed my mind about the fabrics and went with mostly black and white with a little red. It was easy and fun to make. Your instructions,measurements are right on the nail! Thanks again!

Louann said...

I love the dilly bag and the colors are great. I'll have to try to make one. Thanks!

kcenya1950 said...

Thank you for posting the tutorial. And I love the fabric you used. Great job!

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Great tutorial Lurline...thank you!!!

Unknown said...

You would only lead us up the path for a cuppa as the instructions are very clear with lovely fabric . Thanks for sharing .
Clares Craftroom

Kathy said...

Fantastic tutorial.
I'll be making one of these, and soon!
Kathy

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing this great tutorial.
Christine

Mel said...

I love the bag AND the fabric!! Thanks for the tute Lurline!

Jan said...

Great tute, gorgeous bag. there are so many fabric possibilities (orphan blocks, teatowels, left-over fabric from dressmaking projects or cut-up clothing for a touch of nostalgia...)Thank you for sharing.

Sweet P said...

I've often wondered how to make a dilly bag. Now when I'm ready to make one I'll have the instructions. Thanks!

Candace said...

Thank you for the wonderful tutorial, I have it bookmarked and hope to make it one day.

Beeshebags said...

Hey Lurline, Had this tutorial emailed to me...coz I'm a bag lady...and this looks to be the easiest tutorial I've seen on them, well done hun. Has anyone else made any yet? I briefly read comments, but people have said they wanted to make them, but no one so far has revealed that they've made them. I have a busy week or so ahead of me, BUT I might have an hour or so to spare on Saturday and will try and make one up. Will be back to tell you how I got on. Hugs Naomi from Adelaide, Sth Australia

Khris said...

Hi Lurline...I have added this link to my freebie blog if thats okay...hugs Khris

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

This is wonderful! I would love to link to this if you didn't mind!

Sew Diva Diane said...

Lurline- This is a very cute bag! But, what is a dilly? Diane (from the USA)

Unknown said...

Thank you, Lurline... they bag is sooo cute!

my roommate bought a panda bag!
She is just THRILLED with it and can’t put it down.
hkpanda.freetzi.com

Anonymous said...

Tanks Lurline I love that little bag its sooo cute,
You really helped me with my Dilly Bag assignment and now I actually want to make one after learning so much from your website. I cant wait to mke my own!!!

♥ Carine CalĂ© ♥ said...

Thank You very much!!!
You are so creative!!!
Best Regards,
Carine

annapaola said...

many thanks.. very beatutiful...
annapaola
tuscany
italy

Anonymous said...

Adorable!
Where did you get the fabric?
I have been looking for something like this for weeks!
So happy I found your site.
Buttons3435

Anonymous said...

Hi.
Since I am new to this site can someone please tell me how to print the instructions so I can try this bag?
Thanks!
Buttons3435

Anonymous said...

Adorable, thanks for the tute.

jojo said...

trop beau le tuto superbe bises jojo