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Ortbag Tutorial

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Step 1

To begin with, you′ll need some linen, evenweave or Aida fabric (16in x 8in1/2) stitched with the design of your choice (5in x 6in), and some matching fabric for the inside of the ortbag.

(The orchid photographed here is a chart from Monique Bonnin in Flowers — a DMC Special Edition.)

Step 2

For this ortbag, I decided to add a border of lace above the design — the bag will therefore be a little longer in shape than what the above dimensions will produce.

Step 3

Fold the fabric vertically, wrong side showing. Stitch it along the side in order to obtain a tube — crease the seam open with an iron.
Layout the fabric tube so that the stitched pattern is centred horizontally. Then stitch the bottom of the bag.

Step 4

Let′s work on the bottom of the bag.
Open up the bag and lay it out so that you have a square or diamond shape (depending on the dimensions you chose for your ortbag). See the photograph on the left.

Step 5

For each of the 2 corners (those with the bottom seam going through them), we′ll need to cut off a triangle of fabric. Measure a 7cm base for this triangle (just under 3in) and stitch a seam along this line.

Step 6

Repeat for the second corner. Trim the fabric 1/2in away from the seam.
The bottom of the bag should look like this.

Step 7

Let′s now work on the top of the bag.
Turn the bag right side out, and fold the excess fabric to create a hem. Keep it in position with pins.

Step 8

Go back to step 3 to make another identical bag with the lining fabric.
Once finished, leave the lining bag inside-out and pin it to the inside of the stitched bag.
Stitch all the layers together along the top edge.

Step 9

We now have to work with the pin cushion that will hold the ortbag.
If you wish your ortbag to lie on the armrest of your sofa, for instance, you can make a standard little cushion and fill it in with sand (so long as you trap the sand in a lining bag so that it doesn′t flow out of the stitching fabric that′s a fairly loose weave.)
For this particular ortbag, I decided to use a suction pad (no need for sand !!!) I found this one in the bathroom department of a DIY shop — all that I had to do was to take out the metallic hook. I also opted for a biscornu, rather than a standard pincushion. To learn how to assemble a biscornu, click here.
To attach the suction pad to the biscornu, you just need to sew it to the button so that it is kept securely in place. (yes, you will need quite a sturdy needle, but not too thick either or you will have trouble getting it through the plastic!)

Step 10

Pick some ribbon that will match your ortbag (here, I simply used some left-over lining fabric instead of a ribbon), fold it in half and stitch it under the biscornu.
Attach the 2 floating ends of ribbon to the bag. You can do so with buttons (so that you can detach the bag to empty it), or velcro strips (so that you can adapt the length of your ribbons), or quite simply stitch them in place.

Step 11

To finish off, as I′m a master at the art of mislaying my scissors, I like being able to attach them to my ortbag.
Here, I used a very simple system: I stitched a little loop made with a thin ribbon. This way, you can just rest your scissors in the loop while you′re stitching, or secure them with a bow when you don′t need them.
You′re all finished. Well done!