How to Make a Purse Organizer

A purse organizer is an attractive tool that not only adds a bit of flair to any purse, but also it adds functionality.

When you change purses, an important item often gets left on the bottom of the old purse. When a woman uses a purse organizer, all that is involved in changing purses is simply removing the purse organizer from the old purse and placing it in the new purse. There won't be anything crucial left behind!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two complementary pieces of pretty fabric (26" x 8")
• Stiff fusible interfacing (same dimensions)
• Sewing Machine
• Iron
• Scissors
• Complementary Thread
• Grosgrain Ribbon (optional)

Make the Purse Organizer

1. Wash and dry the fabric before beginning the project. Fuse the interfacing pieces to the wrong side of each fabric piece.

2. Place the right sides of the fabric together and sew around the entire perimeter with a 1/2 inch seam allowance---except leave a 2-inch break in sewing to turn the piece right side out. Clip each corner diagonally close to the stitching (this ensures a perfectly pointed corner).
   
   Turn the fabric right side out by pulling the right sides through the hole. Take the necessary time to make sure that each corner is completely pushed out and neat.

3. Iron the fabric piece well. Make sure that the opening left for turning is well pressed and then edge-stitch the fabric approximately 1/2 inch from the edge around the entire piece.
   
   With the piece laying flat, decide which side you prefer to be the outside and which side will be the inside. Lay the fabric with the fabric that will be the inside facing up. Fold up the bottom edge up approximately 3 inches. This creates a pocket. Stitch along the sides of the fabric (along the previous edge stitching) to make the pocket.

4. Now is the time to consider what items will be carried in the organizer. Measure each item that will be placed in the organizer and add 1 inch.
   
   Create the individual pockets for the items by sewing vertical lines from the bottom fold of the fabric up to the point where the folded fabric pocket ends (3 inches). These pocket spaces should be the measurements of the items measured plus 1 inch.
   
   Sample measurements are: 5 1/2, 6, 3 3/4, 4 1/2, 2, 3 1/2.

5. Place the items in their intended pockets, roll up the organizer, and place it in your purse. The next time it is necessary to change purses, simply remove the purse organizer from the old purse and place it in the new purse.

Tips & Warnings

• If desired, a length of coordinating grosgrain ribbon can be tied loosely in a bow around the rolled-up organizer.

[joreboji]

on 4/25/2009 I made 2 of these, one for each of the purses I made for my daughters and they LOVED them...now they want me to make one for every purse I make them. I altered the size of the pockets to fit their individual needs and they are great. Thank you so much for sharing.