How to Sew a Rag Quilt Purse

Rag quilt purses are easy to sew using fat quarters. These inexpensive pieces of fabric generally measure 18 by 22 inches, and many fabric stores sell them in the calico section. You can use two fat quarters to make a finished purse about 11 inches wide, 7 1/2 inches high and 3 1/2 inches deep. Unlike most sewing projects, rag quilt purses are sewn right-side out, with the seams showing, to give them the rag quilt look. Make sure to use a 1/4-inch seam allowance for all seams, and do not prewash the fabric.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fat quarter of light fabric
• Fat quarter of contrasting fabric
• Matching thread
• 1/2-yard lightweight batting
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Strap material

Sew the Patchwork Purse Pieces

1. Cut eight four-inch squares from each fabric. In order to have enough fabric for the other pieces, cut the squares from the 18-inch edge of the fat quarter.

2. Place one light square and one contrasting square wrong sides together, and stitch them together along one edge. Stitch two more squares together the same way. These will be the sides of the rag quilt purse.

3. Sew three squares together end-to-end, wrong sides together, with one light square in the middle and a contrasting square on each end, to make a strip. Sew a second strip of three squares using one contrasting square in the middle and a light square on each end.

4. Place the two strips wrong sides together and sew them together along the long edge. This will be the front of the rag quilt purse.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to make the back of the rag quilt purse.

Sew the Rag Quilt Purse Together

6. Cut a piece of light fabric 12 inches high by 8 inches wide for the inside lining of the front of the purse. Cut a piece of batting the same size.

7. Lay the inside lining wrong side up, and place the batting on top of it. Place the front of the purse right side up on top of the batting, and pin all the layers together. Trim off any excess lining fabric and batting, so that all the layers are the same size.

8. Quilt the layers by stitching them together along each seam line.

9. Repeat Steps 1 through 3, using contrasting fabric to make the back of the rag quilt purse.

10. Cut a piece of light fabric four inches wide by eight inches tall to make a lining for the side of the purse. Cut a piece of batting the same size. Quilt the lining, batting and side squares together the same way you made the front.

11. Repeat Step 5 using contrasting fabric to make the other side of the rag quilt purse.

12. Stitch down the middle of each side piece from top to bottom. This will make a crease in the sides, so they can fold in easily, like gussets.

13. Cut a rectangle 4 inches wide by 11 inches tall from each fat quarter to make the bottom of the purse. Cut a piece of batting the same size. Quilt these layers together the same way you made the front of the purse.

14. Pin the front, sides, back and bottom of the rag quilt purse together, with the lining pieces on the inside. Then stitch all the pieces together.

15. Cut two pieces of strap material, both the same size, or make straps from leftover strips of fabric.

16. Pin both ends of one strap to the inside of the front of the purse, and the ends of the other strap to the inside of the back of the purse. Make sure the straps are even, then sew the ends to the rag quilt purse.

Tips & Warnings

• After the rag quilt purse is complete, you can put it through the washer and dryer. This will make the edges fray and give it the rag quilt look.

[morganleighs]

on 2/24/2009 I found a great website with some good examples of Rag Quilt Purses, bags, and totes.http://www.morganleighs.ecrater.com