Things You'll Need:
- Shrunken wool sweater Felt tip marker Ruler or measuring tape Pins, needle and thread Webbing or I-cord for straps Decorative buttons, ribbons, beads (optional)
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Step 1
Decide how large you want your felted purse to be. Since you're using an old sweater, this will largely depend on how big the sweater is once you've shrunk it in the wash. Go ahead and block out the space you want to use with a felt-tip marker, and a ruler or measuring tape, preferably using the width of the sweater as the length of your purse.
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Step 2
Cut the shape out of the sweater. Be sure to leave the bottom of the purse (i.e., one side of the sweater) attached so you won't have to sew it up at the end. Leave the top of the purse open for a mini-tote-bag effect, or leave a bit of extra material on one side that can act as a flap, as you desire.
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Step 3
Sew up the sides using a sewing machine, or with a back-stitch to keep it nice and sturdy. Sew the top edge of the bag as well to prevent fraying. Be sure to trim your seams, if you do use a sewing machine, so that there isn't a lot of excess material inside the bag.
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Step 4
Turn the bag inside out, and press the seams with an iron or steamer. You can also use the iron to neaten up the shape of the bag, as felt is slightly pliable when warm. Be careful not to burn yourself, as the felt can get very hot.
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Step 5
Sew on whatever you're using for a strap (webbing, I-cord). Feel free to include decorative buttons, beads, ribbons or other materials in your design. If you want a flap on the purse that can be held closed to keep the contents from spilling out, create a button hole in the purse and attach an appropriate-size button to the inside of the flap. You will be able to fasten this easily, as the material is quite flexible.
