How to Make a Gourd Purse

Making a gourd purse is a fun and creative craft project that allows you to create something you will actually use. Once you know the basic steps for creating them, the possibilities are endless. Express your personality with your unique creations.

Instructions

1. Select your gourd by finding one that is symmetrical and blemish free.

2. Soak the gourd in water and then scrub it with a metal scrubber and dish detergent. Rinse it with bleach. Use a spoon, an ice cream scoop or melon baller to clean the seeds out of the inside. Place outside in the sun to dry, making sure to drain the water out of any existing holes.

3. Sketch the line you will use to cut the gourd with a chalk pencil. Visually divide your gourd into thirds and make your cut line on the upper third. Decide if you want your gourd purse to have a curved or straight top and then use a saw to cut it. Sand out any rough spots.

4. Cover the inside of the gourd with tissue paper or an old brown grocery bag. Tear the paper into 1-inch squares and then apply four coats of mod podge or a water-based polyurethane.

5. Paint one coat of primer over the outside of the gourd and two coats of color. Use your imagination to add flowers, apply fabric cutouts or decoupage. Finish with three to four coats of polyurethane. For extra protection and shine, you can cover with a coat of wax.

6. Measure the back of the gourd for symmetrical placement of the hinges.
   Tape them in place using half-inch tape. Punch a small hole with an awl into the gourd to mark where you'll place your screws or bolts. Drill the holes, insert the screws or bolts and then put the bolt bottoms on. Drill two holes with a large bit, making sure they're in a straight line. Use a stitching awl or leather punch to add holes to a handle made of leather, and then screw the leather strap into your pre-drilled holes. Attach the handle to your purse with bolts.