Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Cut two 10 1/2 by 7 1/4 inch pieces from each of the outside and inside fabric pieces.
Cut one piece of fabric 4 by 45 inches from the outside fabric. This piece of fabric will be the strap. Save the remaining pieces as scrap to use in a quilt or for other sewing projects.
Lay the two pieces of outside fabric on your work surface, one on top of the other, with right sides facing each other. The right side is the side of the fabric you want showing on the outside of the finished purse. Line up all the edges and corners of the two fabric pieces so that they are even.
Pin the pieces together so they do not shift during sewing.
Starting at the corner of one of the 10 1/2 inch sides, sew a 1/2 inch seam allowance around three sides of the fabric to join the two pieces together. When completed, both 10 1/2 inch sides and one 7 1/4 inch sides will be sewn together. The open edge will be the top.
Pull the sewn bottom corner edges apart and fold the fabric so that the seam makes a point.
Sew across the corner, 1 inch away from the point. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam for durability. Repeat for the other corner. This is called a gusset and will create a flatter bottom to the bag.
Trim away the excess fabric at the corners. Turn the outside fabric right side out.
Lay the inside fabric pieces together on your work surface, right sides facing, lining up the edges and corners of both pieces. Pin the pieces together to prevent shifting.
Sew the two pieces together in the same manner you sewed the outside pieces, also maintaining a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Sew the gussets into each corner and trim away the excess fabric.
Fold 1 inch of the the 4 by 45 inch fabric toward the back of the fabric. The back side of the fabric is the side you do not want showing on the finished bag.
Iron the fold so that it stays in place.
Fold 1 inch of the other side of the strap toward the back of the fabric and iron in place. The two edges you folded in should be meeting in the middle of the fabric.
Now fold the strip in half with the raw edges, the unsewn ends you just folded in, tucked inside. Iron along the fold to hold in place.
Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance along each side of the strap to hold all the folds permanently in place and finish the strap.
Line up the raw edges of the strap, along the outside bag seams, with the raw top edge of the outside fabric for the bag. Place the strap so that it runs down the length of the bag and does not stand up at the top as it would when you are going to use it. Be sure the strap is not twisted.
Pin in place, about an inch down from the raw edge. This will hold the strap in place as you sew the outside to the inside. When you turn the purse, the strap will be on the outside of the purse.
Place the inside fabric over the top of the outside fabric. The inside fabric piece should still be inside out. Line up the raw edges of the two pieces of the bag and pin in place.
Sew the two pieces together starting in the middle of either side and continuing around until you have almost reached your starting point. Leave an opening about 2 inches wide so that you will be able to turn the bag. Back stitch at both ends for stability.
Turn the bag so that the liner is on the inside and tuck in the corners so that it fits into the bag well.
Hand stitch or use the blind stitch option on your sewing machine to close the hole you left open to turn the bag.