How to Make Purse From Scraps

Making a patchwork purse from scraps of fabric can be a stylish and practical way to use up leftover fabric. If you don’t already have fabric scraps, you can buy small pieces of fabric such as fat quarters or variety packs in some fabric stores. You could make a purse that’s all shades of an outfit you want to match, or black and white, or use as many colors as a rainbow crazy quilt. You can make a purse handle from scraps as well, or buy a purse handle (such as a shoulder strap or handbag handles) at the fabric store.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scraps of fabric
• Scissors
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Snaps or a zipper
• Purse handle (optional)

Cut the Scraps

1. Decide how large you want the purse to be. Depending on how much fabric you have, you can make a small purse, a large tote bag or any size in between.

2. Decide what size you want the pieces of fabric (squares are the easiest to work with). Remember that you’ll need to add 1/2 inch to each piece for seam allowance, so if you want 2-inch finished squares, you’ll need to cut 2 1/2 inch squares.

3. Calculate how many pieces of fabric you’ll need to make each side of the purse. For example, to make a purse about 12-inches-wide by 8-inches-tall from 2-inch finished squares, you’ll need 24 squares for each side of the purse.

4. Cut the scraps into squares the size you’ve chosen.

5. Arrange the pieces in two grids, one for each side. (For example, each side of a 12-inch by 8-inch purse would be 6 squares wide and 4 squares high.)

6. Rearrange the pieces as needed to get a color combination you like.

Sew the Scraps Together

7. Take the upper left square of one grid and place the square that’s right next to it face down on top of it.

8. Stitch the two squares together along the right side, using 1/4 inch seam allowance for all seams. Unfold the squares and press the seam flat (either open, or toward the darker fabric).

9. Place the next square face down on top of the previous square, lining them up along the right edge. Stitch the two squares together along the right side. Unfold the squares and press the seam flat (either open, or toward the darker fabric).

10. Repeat step 3 for each square in the row, until they’re all sewn together. Sew the other rows of squares together the same way.

11. Flip the second row over so it’s face down on the row above it. Stitch these two rows together along the bottom edge. Unfold the row and press the seam flat.

12. Repeat step 5 for the rest of the rows until they’re all sewn together.

13. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for the squares in the other grid.

Sew the Purse

14. Cut two strips of fabric, each 1 1/2 inches high and as wide as the top of the grids.

15. Fold one long edge of one strip over 1/4 inch and press the fold flat. Fold the edge over 1/4 inch again and press it flat.

16. Place one strip and one grid right sides together, lining up the unfolded edge of the strip with the top edge of the grid. Stitch the strip to the top of the grid.

17. Fold the strip over to the wrong side of the grid and press it flat. Topstitch the strip in place.

18. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for the other strip and grid.

19. Place the two grids right sides together. Stitch along the sides and bottom edge using 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn the purse right side out.

20. Add snaps or a zipper to the opening of the purse. Add a handle to the purse (optional).

Tips & Warnings

• The squares on the edges of the purse will be a little smaller than the rest because of seam allowance when you sew the purse together. If you want to make each square end up exactly the same size, cut the pieces for the sides as rectangles that are 1/4 wider than the rest of the squares. Cut the top and bottom pieces as rectangles that are 1/4 taller than the rest of the squares. This requires advanced planning for which fabric pieces will be on the edges of the purse.
• Use caution when working with scissors, irons and sewing machines.