How to Make a Purse With Ruffles

Women began carrying purses as part of their wardrobe in the early 20th century.

Ruffles can dress up nearly anything, from blankets and pillows to skirts and purses. Ruffles can be added to any purse pattern, regardless of whether the pattern calls for them. Ruffles are easy to make; all you need are two extra lengths of fabric and a sewing machine. Choose a coordinating fabric for your ruffle or use the same fabric as the purse. Alternatively, you can use two different fabrics for your ruffle so that each side of the ruffle is a different coordinating color or pattern.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Black marker
• Scissors
• 2 yards fabric
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Make a template for the body of your purse. Draw a horizontal rectangle on a piece of newspaper using a thick, black marker. This will be the front of your purse; size it accordingly, adding about an inch all the way around for seam allowance. Cut out this rectangle and use it as a template to draw an identical rectangle on the newspaper. Place the template directly above this second rectangle and trace over it again so that you have two rectangles stacked on top of each other. This large shape will be the back and front flap of your purse. Cut out this shape in one piece.

2. Make a template for the purse strap. Determine how long you want your purse strap to be. Add 1 1/4 inches to that length and draw a rectangle with the long sides equal to the length of the strap and 4 inches wide. Cut out this rectangle.

3. Make a template for the ruffle. Measure one long side and both short sides of the small rectangle. Add these measurements together. Multiply it by 2. Write this number down. Draw a rectangle with the long sides equal to this length and 4 inches wide. Cut out this rectangle.

4. Fold your fabric in half, right sides together. Arrange all of the templates on the fabric, pin them in place, and cut them out.

5. Sew one long side and the two short sides of the purse front together. Turn the fabric right side out and iron the seams flat.

6. Sew one long side and the two short sides of the purse back together. Turn the fabric right side out and iron the seams flat.

7. Sew together both long sides of the purse strap. Turn the fabric right side out and iron the seams flat. Turn the short ends under 5/8 inch and sew in place.

8. Pin together the unsewn edges of the front and back panels. Fold the top of the back panel over the front panel, allowing a half inch between the top of the front panel and the fold of the back panel. Make sure the fold is straight.

9. Pin the purse strap to the outside of the back panel. Pin one end of the strap so that the outer edge is 1 inch in from the outer edge of the back panel and 2 inches below the fold. Pin the other end of the purse strap on the other side of the back panel in the same manner.

10. Sew the strap to the back panel. Stitch a quarter inch in along the three sides of each strap, and along the top, a quarter inch below the fold. Sew a diagonal line from one corner of stitching to the opposite corner, and another on the opposite side to form an "X" inside the stitching on each strap.

11. Make your ruffle. Sew the ruffle strips together along one long side and two short sides with a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Turn the fabric right side out and iron the seams flat.

12. Baste the open sides of the ruffle together, 1/4-inch down from the top. Do not backstitch. Leave a 4-inch trail of thread at the end.

13. Baste again three-eighths inch below and parallel to the first line of stitching. Do not backstitch. Leave a 4-inch trail of thread at the end.

14. Pull gently on the bobbin, or lower, thread of each line of stitching, gathering the fabric with your fingers as you go. Gather the ruffle until it is the same length of the sides and bottom of the front purse panel; this is the number you wrote down in Step 3.

15. Remove the pins from the unsewn edges of the purse panels. Flip the front panel over so that it is in back of the back panel with the unsewn edges together and the straps sandwiched between the panels.

16. Place the ruffle between the panels so that the basted edge of the ruffle is flush with the sides and bottom of the panels and the finished edge of the ruffle is sandwiched inside the panels. Pin in place.

17. Sew the front and back panels together with a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Trim the seams down to a quarter-inch from the stitching.

18. Turn the purse inside out and iron the seams flat.

References

• Random History: A History of Handbags