How to Pick Fabric for Handmade Purses

If you're making a handmade purse, one of the biggest decisions is fabric selection. You can choose fabric that's practical or stylish. The best part of making a purse is picking a fabric that shows off complimentary creative design elements. Make your purse into a fashion or classic statement merely by the fabric you select.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose your fabric with the style of purse in mind. Make sure to purchase an ample amount of fabric for the handmade purse.

2. Pick a fabric that holds up for the use you have in mind for your handmade purse. Look for shimmery silks for evening clutches or heavy duty fabric for a bag to take to the park.

3. Look for a fabric that's sturdy. If you use a stretchy fabric your purse may get stretched out of shape due to the amount of items you carry in it.

4. Buy a second fabric for the lining of your handmade purse. Always add a liner to your purse to use as a second barrier for your belongings.

5. Take a stroll around your house. A lot of good quality fabrics exist in curtains, clothes, tablecloths or other items you can recycle from around the house.

6. Use fabrics with bold patterns, designs that show off your interests or your favorite colors. Select lighter color fabric if you want to put iron-on images on your handmade purse.

Tips & Warnings

• First time sewers may want to avoid very heavy or very delicate thin fabrics that may be hard to work for beginners. Start with easy to sew cotton or polyester fabric.
• Always pre-wash and iron fabric before sewing, if the care instructions indicate the material can withstand washing and ironing.