How to cross-stitch a cute Easter bunny bag

Cross-stitch patterns don't come much cuter than this sweet Easter bunny bag!

This simple craft project makes a great little gift for spring for a friend or to keep yourself. Our craft team has come up with a pattern that's not too tricky to follow and is perfect for even beginner crafters to try their hand at.

You could even use the finished bag to stylishly store your cross-stitch kit and projects. this project doesn't require a sewing machine, so is great for beginners who have mastered the basic sewing techniques and would like to improve their skills.

So, get crafty and follow our step-by-step instructions to make your own cross-stitch Easter bunny bag in pretty pastel fabric.

You'll find everything you need below, including the Easter bunny template.

You will need:

• Fabric to make the bag (you could purchase new fabric especially for this project or raid your scrap collection!)

• Scissors

• Measuring tape

• Large open-weave oatmeal fabric

• Pink and lime green thread

• Embroidery needle

• Pins

• Sewing thread

• Needle

• Iron

• Sewing needle for leather

• Leather handles
  
  

How to cross-stitch your Easter bunny bag:

1. For the tote bag, cut 2 rectangles of fabric measuring 35cm wide x 43cm long.
   

2. For the cross-stitch pocket, cut a 20cm square from open-weave fabric.

3. Cut a length of pink thread and split it, so you’re working with 2 strands, then thread the needle.

4. Follow the diagram (below) and start stitching by bringing the needle up through the bottom left hole of the first square, leaving a 2cm tail at the back of the fabric (secure by working the next few stitches over it). Take the needle back through the top right of the same square to make a diagonal stitch.

5. Repeat with the next square and so on until you come to the end of the line shown in the diagram.

6. Stitch a return row right to left in the same manner (when you reach the end of the thread, run the threaded needle through the back of the last few stitches to secure).

7. Follow the chart until the design is completed, changing the colour of the thread where indicated.
   

8. Trim the edges of cross-stitch fabric to the desired size, leaving a generous margin around the embroidery, and fray edges.

9. Position the embroidery pocket with pins on to the front of the bag fabric.
   

10. Using sewing thread, sew along the sides and bottom edge to form a pocket. Place the 2 pieces of the bag fabric together, right sides facing, and stitch along the bottom and side edges, taking 1.5cm seam allowance.
    

11. Press the stitched seams and turn the bag right way out; then fold in and stitch along the top edge. Hand stitch the handles in place using pink thread.

Have you been getting crafty for Easter? Share your makes with us by tagging @primamag on Instagram!

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