How to Make a Silk Purse

Silk can make very elegant purses for special occasions. Although most silk purses are the small, strapless clutch variety, you can make almost any style purse from silk. You can find purse patterns in the catalogs at fabric stores or online, or make a simple clutch purse as described below. Since silk is a such a fine fabric, you’ll need to use fine-tipped pins and needles to avoid leaving holes in it.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 yard silk
• Matching polyester thread
• 1/4 yard lightweight fusible interfacing
• Sharp scissors
• Silk pins
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine
• Fine sewing machine needle
• Sew-on snap
• Fine hand-sewing needle

Instructions

Make the Purse

1. Cut two pieces of silk, each 10-inches wide by 7-inches tall, using sharp scissors. These will be the front and back of the silk purse.

2. Cut two more 10-by-7-inch pieces of silk for the lining.

3. Cut two pieces of lightweight fusible interfacing, each 10-by-7 inches. Preheat the iron to a low temperature setting, then iron one piece of interfacing to the wrong side of each lining.

4. Place one outside fabric piece and one lining right sides together. Stitch them along the sides and lower edge, leaving the top edge open.

5. Turn the pieces right side out. Turn the open edges of the outside and lining under 1/2 inch and pin them using silk pins. With the iron at a low temperature, press the folded edges flat. Topstitch along the pressed edges using matching thread.

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the other fabric and lining pieces.

7. Place the front and back of the purse together, with the linings facing out. Stitch along the sides and bottom edge, then turn the purse right side out.

Make the Flap

1. Cut a piece of silk 10-by-7-inches tall. This will be the flap that covers the top of the purse.

2. Cut a piece of lightweight interfacing that’s 10-by-7 inches. With the iron at a low temperature setting, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the silk.

3. Fold the flap fabric in half right sides together. Stitch along the sides, leaving the edge opposite the fold open.

4. Turn the open edges over 1/2 inch and pin them using silk pins. With the iron at a low temperature, press the folded edges flat. Topstitch along the pressed edges using matching thread.

5. Turn the flap right side out. Line up the folded edge of the flap with the top edge of the back of the purse. Pin the flap to the purse using silk pins.

6. Sew the flap to the top edge of the purse, making sure you don’t sew the purse closed.

7. Place the bumpy half (stud) of the snap near the top edge of the open flap. Sew it in place like you would a button.

8. Place the indented half (socket) of the snap on the front of the purse, making sure to line them up with the snaps on the flap when it is closed. Sew it in place like you would a button, without sewing the purse closed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to add a handle or shoulder strap to the silk purse, sew the end of a piece of silk ribbon to each side.

• Silk pins and needles can be especially sharp. Use caution when working with sharp scissors, silk pins, irons, sewing machines and sewing needles.

Resources

• Here are more tips for sewing silk.
• This PDF has a free clutch purse pattern and instructions.