How to Pick a Handmade Purse Style

Before you can make your own handmade purse, decide on the design of the bag. Options are endless, and no two purses are the same. That's the creative part about sewing your own handmade purse. Make it a one-of-a-kind bag.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick a style you can put together easily using skills you know or choose a style and learn something new like crocheting or knitting.

2. Choose to knit, crochet, sew, bead or make your handmade purse of new fabrics. Recycle fabric from clothes you have around the house.

3. Decide if you want a handbag (usually with a smaller handle), a shoulder bag (with a medium sized, over the shoulder handle), a large bag with longer shoulder strap, a backpack-style purse or a clutch.

4. Look for a theme to style your handmade purse. Choose a hobby or interest like golf, cats or books; or style your bag to make a statement in support of a cause such as breast cancer or autism awareness.

5. Keep the purse's function in mind when picking a style. Make it fancy for a evening out, or practical for a day at the park with the kids.

6. Consider using a template from a local fabric store, magazine or website.

Tips & Warnings

• The style of the bag depends on the fabric, yarn, beads and other materials. You must select complementary handle material too.

Resources

• Find handbag patterns