How to Make a Really Easy Purse

A purse can be constructed of many different materials and patterns.

A purse does not have to be expensive or a name brand to provide you with a striking but sensible accessory. It is very easy to make a clutch purse that will have all your friends asking where you purchased it and who the designer is. An elegant purse can be constructed out of an item as basic and inexpensive as a cloth place mat. The completed purse is the perfect size for a checkbook, cell phone, keys and makeup.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cloth place mats, 1 medium weight, 1 lightweight, approximately 16 inches by 12 inches
• Matching thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Fabric hook and loop fasteners
• Large ornamental button
• Trim

Instructions

1. Purchase a cloth place mat to match the attire you will be wearing. Place mats come in a variety of fabrics, colors and patterns including satin, brocade, basket weaves, floral prints, plaids, stripes and holiday colors. Buy a second matching, but lighter weight, solid color place mat for the purse lining.

2. Check to ensure that the place mats are the same size. If they are not, trim the larger place mat to match the measurements of the smaller one. Pin the place mats together and sew about 1/8 inch all around the edges.

3. Fold the bottom of the place mat up about 6 inches over the remainder of the fabric with the lighter weight solid lining on the inside. Sew both sides together,
   backstitching a few times to anchor the seam and prevent the thread from unraveling.

4. Fold the top of the place mat down about 4 inches. It should overlap the top of the previous fold. Hand sew or hot glue 2 inches of the fabric hook and loop fasteners to the inside of the top fold and the outside of the bottom fold where the two come together to form a purse closure. On the outside of the top fold, directly over the fasteners, hand sew a contrasting ornamental button to the newly formed purse.

5. Open the top flap of the purse and hand sew metal O-rings to each of the two sides. Hand or machine sew one length of 24-inch ribbon or cotton webbing to each of the rings to fashion an optional purse strap. Close the top purse flap and secure.

Tips & Warnings

• Before sewing the two place mats together, sandwich, pin and sew on zigzag cording, lace or other decorative trim for extra fashion appeal.

• Cut down the place mats to smaller sizes to make fashionable makeup bags.

References

• J Caroline Creative: Instructions for Placemat Purse
• Simply Creative Group: How to Make a Placemat Purse
• Fave Crafts: Place Mat Purse

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish