How to Make a Reversible Purse

It's fun and simple to make a reversible purse. You can make your own pattern from a simple piece of writing paper. The purse is an open bag and you can add all the frills and embellishments that you want to either side. Most people like to have one side plain and the reverse side patterned, but the choice is yours.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric of two different colors
• Matching thread
• Measuring tool
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron and Ironing board
• Bangles or decorations

1. Choose the two types of fabric that you want your purse to be. You can use a solid and a design or two different solids. It's best to keep one part solid but two designs are doable. It's your purse, so only your imagination limits you.

2. Cut two 10 1/2-inch by 12-inch pieces from both fabrics. Also cut one strip the width that you want the strap and add 1/2 inch for seam allowance. Cut the proper length to hang from your shoulder plus an inch. Use the measurements 1 1/2 inches wide and 35 inches long as a default if you don't want to take the time to do your own measurements.

3. Stitch the two long pieces together. Lay them right sides together and pin along the long edge on both sides. Stitch together 1/4 inch from the edge. Leave the ends, the 1 1/2 inch sides, open. Remove the pins and turn right side out. Press to flatten at the seam. Only one color should show on each side.

4. Topstitch along the edge to give a finished look. Stitch 1/4 inch from the edge all the way down both long sides. Use the thread that is the color of the solid material or complementary to it if you want a little different look when you make the reversible purse.

5. Lay the two pieces you cut from solid material together with the right sides facing. Pin together opposite sides and leave both ends open. Do the same for the patterned material. Stitch together the 12-inch side 1/4 inch from the edge on both. Remove the pins and keep the fabric right sides together. Press the seams flat.

6. Pin the strap to the solid piece first. Put the main body of the strap inside the two solid pieces that you sewed together and line the ends of the strap up with the top edge and place the middle of the strap on the seam. Make sure the solid colored fabric of the strap faces the solid colored material of the bag. Fold the top edge outward so you have a lip of right side fabric 1 inch on the top.

7. Bring the patterned fabric over the lip so that right sides of both fabric rectangles are together and the strap side that matches the fabric each fabric touches it. Pin them together and stitch along the edge on the outside, the wrong ides. Stitch only the bottom of the patterned material shut and press all the seams flat. Pull the handle as you pull the solid material over the outside of the patterned material, turning it right side out.

8. Fold the bottom of the solid material inward and press the seams flat. Stitch the bottom together very close to the edge. Adjust the inside so that it fits snugly with the outside and topstitch the solid side, as you did the handle to make the reversible purse look stylish.