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No Sew Ruffle Tote with Tutorial

crafts· DIY and Crafts· fashion tutorials· gift ideas· giveaway· no sew projects· Sewing· Tutorials

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No sewing skills, but you want to make one of those cute Ruffled Tote Bags seen all over Pinterest?  If so, this craft has your name written all over it!  Today, I’m sharing the tutorial for this adorable No Sew Ruffled Tote Bag, made completely with hot glue and a few craft supplies!

No Sew Ruffled Tote Bag Tutorial

For today’s project, I wanted share a tutorial anyone could do.  I tested out my theory that I could create a ruffled tote bag with absolutely no sewing. And guess what- it totally works!   The bag is made with a pre made, plain tote bag, a bit of ribbon, fabric strips, pinking shears and hot glue!  (You can find these fabric strips everywhere now, and most of the time they come already cut with the “pinked” or “no-fray” edge. )

how to make ruffles without sewing.

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Can I just say this bag is his bag is awesome?  Turned out so cute and is perfect as a book bag or overnight bag (For all the seamstresses out there, you can totally sew this project and I’ll include some additional instructions at the bottom of the post.) (See *A)

I originally bought this fabric to make a quilt for my daughter, but I wasn’t “in love” with it.  (I have already bought more fabric for her quilt.)  I thought the pinks, greens and yellows in this collection were perfect for a spring tote.  Walmart and Amazon are now selling some pretty darn cute fat quarter and jelly roll bundles.  Even though a fat quarter is only 22 inches wide, you can use them for this project.  I will show you how at the bottom of the tutorial. (See *B)

Make your own No Sew Ruffled Tote Bag:
(Remember, to see any photo larger, left click and open it in a new tab.)

Materials needed:
-Tote bag
-About 1/2 yard of fabric  (You can do just one fabric or mix several different colors and patterns, you will need more fabric for a larger tote.)
-Ribbon (at least 1/2 inch would be best)
-Ruler
-Scissors
-Fabric marker or chalk
-Hot glue gun and lots of hot glue

Instructions:
First of all, my tote bag measures 13.5 inches wide by about 13 inches tall. So if your bag is similar in size, then no math for you, just use my measurements!

6 strips 28″ wide x 2.75″ tall

To get the width of your strips, measure the width of the bag, add 1/2 inch and multiply by 2.

To figure out how tall your fabric strips need to be, measure the height your bag, and decide how far up the bag you want the ruffled fabric to go.  Take that measurement and divide by how many ruffles you want.

Add 1 inch to that number and that is how tall your fabric strips should be.  Here are my measurements as an example:

My ruffle strips were 28 inches wide by 2.75 inches tall
1.  Cut out your ruffle strips to your measurements.  (I cut 6 strips, 28″ x 2.75″.)  I used my Pinking Shears for the bottom edge to help with the fraying. (This is a must-have tool for sewers IMO.)  Regular scissors will be fine, you may have to trim some fraying fibers off every so often, but that is no big deal.
2.  Fold over the short edges of each ruffle strip, 1/4 inch.  Press firmly with an iron to get a good crease.

 

3.  Next, from the bottom of your tote bag, measure up the height of your fabric strip minus 1/2 inch.  Do this in several spots along the bottom and then draw a straight line across.  Then, from that line, measure up your fabric strip height minus one inch and draw another line.  Keep repeating this for the number or ruffles you have.  See my picture below for a better explanation.

(Ignore my folded up bottom and please excuse the poor quality photo, it was very late…)

The next step is to “hem” the fabric strip edges.  We will use hot glue.  I must give this warning…  Hot glue is very hot, please be careful!  These would be a perfect protective tool to use while working with hot glue.

4.  Open the folded edge of your fabric strip and add a small line of hot glue, then fold the fabric back over and press.

 

Do this on all of your fabric strips.

5.  Grab your fabric strips and fold into fourths.  Make a mark with your fabric marker on each fold.  This will divide your fabric in to four equal sections and will help you distribute the ruffles evenly.  Do the same thing with the tote bag.

See how the blue marks divide the bag into 4 equal measurements?

6.  Starting at the bottom of the bag, add a 1 inch line of hot glue along the line you drew on the tote bag.  Quickly line up the edge of your fabric strip, place it in the hot glue.  Using your fingers, slide the fabric backwards to make a ruffle.  (Remember, the glue is very hot.  You have a very small window of time from when the glue is cool enough to work with, but not so cool that it is starting to harden.)

Keep going until all your ruffles are glued on.  Go back and add more glue to any loose areas.

Don’t be afraid to practice your ruffling first.  I practiced on paper and scraps from an old t-shirt:

7.  Next we will add the ribbon trim.  Cut a piece of ribbon to the length of your bag plus 1/2 an inch.  Use a lighter to heat seal your cut ribbon edges.  Fold over one of the ends of the ribbon 1/4 inch, add a drop of glue and squeeze with your fingers; like this:

8.  Starting with the edge of ribbon you folded over, add hot glue to the back of the ribbon and attach it along the top edge of your top ruffle, concealing the glued ruffle part of the fabric.

9.  Add a spot of glue to any extra ribbon and fold over to make a smooth hemmed edge, then add a little more glue and secure to the bag.

Yuck!  I hate it when my camera focuses on the wrong subject.  Bad camera!

You are done!

I added another color of smaller ribbon and a fabric flower for a little pop!  (You can find the fabric flower tutorial here.)

 

*A.  Sewing instructions:  After you cut your fabric, fold over the short edges of each ruffle strip, 1/4 inch.  Press firmly with an iron to get a good crease.  Sew along the pressed edge, 1/8 inch from the edge.  Do this on all of the short edges.

Follow the ruffling tutorial found here to ruffle your fabric strips.  Pin your ruffles to the bag and sew right over the ruffling stitch.  Do this for all of your ruffles.

 

When you get to the last ruffle, follow the instructions at step 7.  You can sew your ribbon on or just glue it.

*B:  Using fat quarters:  Cut enough fabric so when you line up the fat quarters, they will equal the fabric strip width you figured earlier PLUS 1/2 inch.  Fold, iron and glue all the short edges to make a nice side hem on all the fabric strips.

Divide the fabric in to 4 equal parts and mark like we did in step 5.  (Pin the two fabric end pieces together if that helps.)

Start attaching your ruffles.  When you get to the end of one fabric piece, just start with the other and finish the ruffle.  You can barely tell where one piece ends and the other begins.

If you make one of these totes, be sure to tag me on facebook or instagram!
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And just to prove it is not all cupcakes and roses all the time over here.  That face, oh my…

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Comments

  8. So adorable! I never would have thought I could do no-sew ruffles, think I'm going to have to give this a try. Have you had any problems with the ruffles coming off?

    Reply

  9. This tote is so stinkin' cute – the fabric you used is so fun – LOVE IT! I love that it's a no-sew project, learning to use a sewing machine is still on my to-do-list! I saw your adorable share at Catch a Glimpse Thursday – so happy I clicked! Looking forward to seeing what you post next! Cheers ~ Mary

    Reply

  11. Oh so cute! I've made some of these before, but not no-sew!! So much easier! Will have to give this a try. Just found you're blog today and will be following you from now on! What great stuff!

    Reply

  13. Oh My goodness – this is delish – I have some fabric that I have been meaning to make a mini quilt with also – and some cnavas bags – thanks for the jump start – will post my finished photo in your flickr group. TFS

    found you via crafty soiree – love the blog
    xo
    tina

    Reply

  30. Never in all my day would I have thought that a ruffle could be made without sewing! I can't sew a stitch, but I can glue with the best of 'em.

    ~Bliss~

    Reply

  31. this is really darling and I'm impressed with your directions – simple & clear. thinking this would be a fun summer project with my girls. thanks!

    Reply

  50. I just made one of these tonight. The no sew method was super easy and it took me less than 90 minutes! And all with scrapes and leftover craft items I had laying around so it didn't cost me a cent. Now the only problem I have is who's it's gonna be. My daughter's or mine! Thanks again for the inspiration!

    Reply

  51. This is a perfect project for my high school Fiber Arts class! I'm really trying to get them to create things that resonate with their style, and this could be something that could be tweaked in a lot of different directions.

    Reply

  63. This is so adorable! I'm pretty sure a bag of some sort is going to be my first craft project once I get moved in a month, and this one is perfect!!

    Reply

  67. Now, I have only ever sewed ruffles, but this looks like something to try out. I will have to remember about that glue being HOT. I have burned my fingers before and for some reason or other, forget and burn my fingers a lot.

    Reply

  78. This is super cute! I always get free totes from grocery stores, so I have a lot on hand. I'm definitely going to try this out and I'll post it to the group link you've provided above! Thanks 🙂

    Reply

  81. I love the easy peasy factor .. can't wait to try it with the kids! thanks for sharing your super cute bag with us 🙂
    Danielle — craft play love.com

    Reply

  84. This is so cute!! HOORAY for glue guns! We loved having you link up to "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." We hope to have you back again soon!! -The Sisters

    Reply

  95. You have been featured(again) @CountryMommaCooks Link and greet Party
    stop by and pick up a featured button:)

    Reply

  96. It came out beautifully!! The green fabric in it is what I used for curtains in my daughter's room. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday! I hope you will share with us again this week!

    Reply

  104. This is so totally cute! I was thinking that one could make a tote yourself from either diaper cover material or vinyl tablecloth material and then add ruffles. It would be waterproof (or pretty much anyway)for use at the beach. Obviously this is for the sewer's out there but who knows, maybe there are cheap ready-made waterproof totes just waiting for ruffles??

    Reply

  105. Nice to meet you! This is our first visit on your beautiful blog.The bag is very cute!!! It seems easy to do! Thank you for the tutorial.
    Ciao from Italy,

    Barbara and Analia

    Reply

  108. I found your ruffled tote on pinterest and clicked on your blog. I love the tote and will being making one myself. I am going to foloow your blog. You are very creative.

    Hugs,
    Janet

    Reply

  109. Love this tote! I may try sewing it…great idea!! New follower and fellow crafter!! I make jewelry with my mom and sisters and we sell it at the local health centers in our area!

    Reply

  115. That is so lovely! I think I just might be able to do it. Of course I need to buy a glue gun. Thank you for sharing. I am totally pinning this beauty!

    Reply

  122. I'm the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your tote! You can see it here:

    http://funfamilycrafts.com/sew-ruffle-tote/

    If you have other kid-friendly crafts, we'd love it if you would submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a wonderful project idea!

    Reply

  128. I love this bag. I will make it with a jelly roll (2.5 inch pre-cut strips.) I love the idea of the pinked edges. I will have to pin this to save it for later. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  130. Thank you for stopping in and linking up with us this week on #TheWeekendSocial. We love your ideas and hope to see you again this weekend on KitchenDreaming.com. We have pinned, stumbled & shared your link via Twitter.

    Reply

  131. I love this, but how do you wash this ? I’ve never had to or tried to wash anything that has been hot glued.

    Thank you.

    Reply

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