Esther is a super cute bag, that can be filled with Easter treats, or left empty for the Easter egg hunt.
I used scraps of fabric from previous projects to make Esther making the project zero waste and economical. I had the pink Liberty style fabric, that I used to line the ears , but you could use any colour, less Esther and maybe more Arthur ? or gender neutral.
Again I had the pink wool left over, but you could use any colour. A cute idea would be to give each child their own lining colour and matching nose, in case during the excitement of the "hunt" they mislay their bag. Either way these cute bags will hold a special place in the hearts of the person you gift them to. This is a beginners plus project, if you are an absolute beginners it would be a good idea to make the gift bags first, then move on to Esther the Easter Bunny Bag.
Esther - the Easter Bunny Bag
Matching thread or contrast thread, pins, tape measure, chalk and scissors.
Tips for beginners
Seam allowance 1 cm this is the distance between the edge of the fabric and the stitch line. You will find a series of parallel lines engraved on the needle plate of your sewing machine pick the one marked with the measurement you need and keep the edge of the fabric to this guide
RS = right side of fabric WS = wrong side of fabric.
Download the pattern HERE
Cut 2 x main fabric for the bag - If you do not have any scrap fabric you will need 30cm x 150cm which will be enough the main and lining ears and handle.
Cut 2 x lining fabric for the bag
Cut x 1 in firm interfacing
Strap 5cm x 30cm cut 1 in main fabric. NOTE there is not a pattern piece for the handle
Wool scraps to make the pom pom
Embroidery floss
Cut 2 x main fabric for the ears
Cut 2 x lining fabric for the ear
Cut 2 x firm interfacing
Using your pom pom maker OR two pieces of card make a pom pom.
Transfer the markings for the eyes onto the front of your bag, my fabric was thin and I was able use making tape and tape the pattern to the window then hold the fabric over and using a soft pencil trace the shape of the eyes directly onto the front of the bag. If your fabric is too thick use tailors tack to make the eyes. Iron on the interfacing (if using iron on interfacing) or sew the interfacing to the WS of the front and back of the bag.
Using back stitch, embroider the eyes on to the bag. This stitch is good for drawing images onto your fabric. Come up at A and make a backwards stitch to B. Bring the needle out again at C a stitch length from A., then continue to the end of the eye.
Sew the pom pom onto the bag. Make the ears.
Make the ears, iron the interfacing onto the WS of the lining, pin the RS of the Lining to the RS of the contrast fabric. Using a 1 cm seam allowance stitch around the ears leaving a gap at the top.
Trim the seam as shown close the point of the ears for a crisp finish. Turn the ears to the RS and iron the ears.
Following the markings from the pattern pleat the top section of the ear. Measure from the out side seam and make a notch (very small snip) at 3.5cm and another 2cm on. Fold the notch to the notch and pin into place stitch across this section as shown. Your ear should measure 6.5cm. Repeat on the remaining ear, pleating in the opposite direction to make a pair.
With RS together pin and stitch the bag leaving the top of the bag open. Make the corner of the bags.
Join the edge of the bottom seam to the edge of the side seam, as shown and pin across.
Machine stitch across this section, this will make the correct shape for the bag.
Turn the bag to the RS and pin the ears onto the RS of the bag as shown. Start pinning the ears 1cm back from the side seam repeat on the remaining side.
Machine stitch with the foot of the sewing machine to raw edge to hold the ears in place (this stitching must not show when the bag is finished)
Join the lining of the bag together leaving a gap in the side to turn the bag to the RS after stitching. Sew the corners as given for the main fabric bag.
Make the strap, turn both of the long edges in for 0.5cm on each side, (as shown) iron, turn again, pin and stitch into place.
with a row of stitching on both the long edges.
Pin the handle onto the RS of the bag, matching the handle to the side seam.
Put the bag RS facing into the RS of the lining ( as shown ) pin around the top of the bag, and using a 1cm seam allowance, machine stitch into place.
Turn the bag to the RS through the gap you left in the lining. Pin the seam together as shown, and machine stitch, close to the edge. Push the lining back into the bag, and iron the bag.
CONGRATULATIONS ! YOUR A SUPER STAR - the Esther Easter bag is now finished.
