How to Make a Drawstring Purse With Elastic
Making your own drawstring purse provides benefits beyond saving you money. Choose your preferred type of fabric and then customize the design however you like to create your ideal purse. A homemade purse also makes an excellent gift for a friend or family member. Alter the dimensions to create a purse big enough for everyday use or one sized for small items, such as keys and your cell phone.
Instructions
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1
Select a fabric for the outside of your purse and for the lining. Cut out two 16-inch-by-17-inch rectangles of each material.
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2
Lay the outer fabric flat on a table. Place two lengths of elastic cord, 45 inches each, down the right and left side of the fabric, with the extra cord hanging off the top. Position the cord about three inches from each side. Lay the second piece of outer fabric on top and pin the two pieces together. Sew the sides and the bottom of the fabric together, sewing over the elastic cord to hold it down.
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3
Place the two pieces of lining fabric on top of each other, and sew the sides and the bottom of the fabric together, except for a 2-inch gap on one side.
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4
Make a buttonhole on the back of the outer fabric a half-inch from the top.
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5
Place the outer bag inside the lining with the stitches of both facing outward, and sew them together at the top with a 1/4-inch seam. Turn it right-side out using the 2-inch gap that you left earlier.
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Form a casing for the elastic by stitching around the top, first one-eighth inch from the top and then 1 inch from the top. Thread one end of the cord through the clasp, through the buttonhole, around the casing and back out the buttonhole. Thread the other end of the cord through the other side of the clasp, and tie the two ends together. Pull the knot inside the casing to hide it. Stitch the 2-inch gap closed.
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References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
