BASIC PURSE DIRECTIONS

  1. 1.Cut the fabric to measure 29” X 14.75”. 

  2. 2.On both short ends, fold under the raw edges, wrong sides together and press to create a .50” hem.  Sew down the hem.  Turn under again 3” and press but do not sew.  (If you are making “binding straps”, they should be attached now.  See strap options below.)

  3. 3.Open the 3” hem and align the raw edges with right sides together. Be sure the creases match up.

  4. 4.Sew the left and right side edges of the bag with 5/8 seams, from the raw edges to the folded edge.  Finish off the seams with a serger or a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying.

  5. 5.Bring together the bottom point of the right and left seams in a pyramid shape.  Smooth layers.  Press with your hands to create temporary creases on angled edges.

  6. 6.Place a ruler across the layers, aligning the 2” mark with the seam stitching.  There should be 2” of fabric to the left and right of center.

  7. 7.Make a line against the ruler with a pen or tape.  Flip the layers over and mark the other side.   Machine stitch across the ruled lines.

  8. 8.Turn the bag right side out and push into the corners of the line you just sewed.  This will create the 4” flat bottom for your bag.  If you like a solid bottom, cut  heavy card board 4” by 9.25”.  Sew a simple fabric cover for it and place it in the bottom of the bag.  Hand stitch the cover to the bag’s  side seams to keep the cardboard in position.

  9. 9. Turn the hem at the crease you made in step #2.  Machine stitch around the bag 2” from the top edge.  This will leave you with one free inch to which you can attach snap tape for the Basic Purse Organizer if you choose.  Your bag is finished and you’re ready to attach straps using the “Strap Options” below.

THE BASIC PURSE

No Pattern Required

Months ago when we published our Pocket Purse, some readers asked if we could post directions for a less ambitious purse.  So we gave it some thought and kept coming back to the idea of a basic tote bag we’ve made in the past.  It’s a favorite of ours because it has a sturdy four inch wide bottom, so it sits well, yet it doesn’t require cutting an extra piece of fabric.  In fact, straps not included, the bag is made from one flat cut of fabric.  

When you say the words “tote bag”, for some people it conjures up visions of something less than pretty.  So we began to wonder, just what the difference is between a tote bag, a purse, a handbag or a pocketbook. 

After researching we found the only real difference is that a tote bag is generally open.  With that in mind, we played with some ideas and created a completely unadorned tote bag and what we consider a pretty purse, using our basic purse directions for both.  The result was proof enough to us that it’s all semantics.  Whether you call it a tote or a purse, we plan to make more in the future.  We will post them on this page to give you ideas on how you can use our directions to dress up a basic purse making it both pretty and functional .  Take a look at the directions below, at the details of how we made the braided strap bag, and how we made it look like anything but a tote bag.  Also, at the bottom of this page be sure to check out the options for various straps and their attachment. 

This REALLY basic purse requires no pattern.  Just follow the directions.  Change the size of the purse if you like - just remember to maintain the proportional look by adding or subtracting the same measurements to the height and width.  This project calls for one piece of heavy canvas fabric (plus straps), and thread.  Those two things and a sewing machine are all you need.

3

Make a line against the ruler.  Machine stitch across the line.

What do this tote bag and this purse have in common?  Both were created with our Basic Purse directions.  Make it as plain or as fancy as your inner diva dictates.

Finished Size:

13” wide X 11.5” tall

  1. Bring together the bottom point of the right and left seams in a pyramid shape.  Smooth layers.  Press with your hands to create temporary creases on the edges.

Place a ruler across the layers, aligning the 2” mark with the seam stitching.

HOW WE DRESSED UP THE BASIC PURSE

FABRIC

We chose a fabric that very much resembles canvas in it’s weave but this one is soft and very lightweight.  So light in fact, that we lined it with Craft Fuse iron-on interfacing to keep it from going limp.  The soft color of the fabric gives the purse a very feminine look.

ACCENTS

We split the purse fabric horizontally about 5” from the top edge of the purse and attached a colorful .75” strip of cotton fabric, the same fabric we used in the braided strap.  The strip hides a zippered pocket and adds an interesting element to the look of the project.  We attached a piece of fancy chain to the zipper pull and accented it with red and gold beads to pick up the colors in the cotton strip.

HARDWARE

Large metal grommets hold the strap and give the purse some attitude.

We added a magnetic clasp to the center of the top hem before stitching it down, so the purse doesn’t stand open.

FOCAL POINT

The real focus of  this purse is undoubtedly the braided strap.  We made a casing for the piping by sewing a 25” strip of fabric with right sides together, then turned it right side out and inserted piping.  There are two solid color strips and one of the print.  The braided part of the strap is attached to a separate loop of solid fabric after it is threaded through the two grommets.  A flat strip of fabric without piping is then wrapped around the connection to hide the raw edges.  See how we did it in the photos below.

Once your casings are made, an easy way to insert the piping is to sew ribbon or seam binding to one end of the piping.  Attach a safety pin to the opposite end of the ribbon.  Lead the pin through the casing and pull the piping through.

After braiding the three strips, pull back the casings and cut off .50” of the piping from two of the braided strips on each end.  This will provide an overall equal thickness when you join it with the connecting loop.

Overlap the braid ends and both ends of a 5” long loop that has been inserted through the grommets.  Stitch across all thicknesses two or three times. 

Hide the connection and raw edges by sewing a 3/4” wide by 6” long flat piece of fabric to the loop slightly below the point where it connects to the braid.  Wrap around, angling upward until the raw edges are covered.  Pin in place.

Attach a safety pin to the tail end of the wrap.  Lead the pin through the top of the wrap.

Pull through the first band of the wrap.  Cut off enough of the tail so it will be hidden under the band.

Hand stitch under the band to hold the  tail securely in place.

SHOW ME THE BASIC PURSE ORGANIZER

- DIVA’S CLOSET -

Home    On The Table    Floral Decor    Jewelry    Party Ideas        DIva’s Closet    Home Decor    Computer Creations  Painted   Seasonal Subscribe

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE E-MAILS WHEN NEW PROJECTS ARE ADDED TO OUR PAGES

THIS SITE IS BEST VIEWED WITH FIREFOX

divaonline

Which Sewing Machine To Buy

What Sewing Patterns Don’t Tell You

How To Sew A Perfect Narrow Hem and A Hand Rolled Hem

The Best Affordable 5 Thread Serger Sewing Machine