How to Make a Gypsy Purse

The design of a gypsy purse is a bit Bohemian, a bit vintage and a bit renaissance. This purse design is generally made from velvet, satin, tapestry or a mixture of fabrics, as in a patchwork quilt. Many times, different trims, lace, beads and trinkets are added to the mix of adornments, along with various embroidery stitches. Gypsy purses are constructed in many sizes and shapes. However, for the purposes of these instructions we will be making a round drawstring purse. There is no need to be an expert seamstress, but you should have mid-level sewing skills.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Lining fabric
• Cord
• Thread
• Adornments
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Safety pin

1. Choose and purchase your supplies. Pick velvet or satin for the outside of the bag and a matching or coordinating satin or lining fabric for the inside. Buy 1/3 yard of each fabric. You'll also need 2/3 yard of a ¼-inch wide cord for the drawstring. Other supplies needed are matching thread, antique-look lace, mixture of seed beads, two large beads and trinkets.

2. Attach a length of string to the lower end of a pencil. Cut the string so it is 12 inches long. On a piece of newspaper, hold the string in the center and move the pencil around to draw a circle. Cut the circle out. This is your gypsy purse pattern.

3. Pin the pattern to each of the two fabrics and cut them out.

4. Place the two fabrics together, right sides facing each other. Pin all around the outside edge. Using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew over the pins. Leave a 3-inch opening for turning your work.

5. Turn the fabric right side out, through the 3-inch opening. Hand sew the opening shut.

6. Sew 1-inch from the outside edge of the gypsy purse, all the way around. Sew another 1/2 inch all the way around. This will form your drawstring casing.

7. Adorn the gypsy purse with lace, beads, trinkets or embroidery stitches as desired. This is easier to do while the purse is opened up flat.

8. Cut a vertical slit into the outside fabric, in the cord casing, and hand stitch around the slit so it does not fray. Attach the cord to a safety pin and guide it through the slit, all the way around. Remove the safety pin and pull the cord so it is even on both sides. String a large bead on each side of the cord and then tie a knot to keep it in place.

Tips & Warnings

• An interesting way to apply lace is to hand sew it around the bag at the bottom stitching for the cord casing. When the drawstring is pulled, the lace will appear gathered. Pull the cord, evenly, to close the gypsy purse.

Resources

• Embroidery Stitches