How to Sew a Drawstring Backpack Purse
You've seen women and girls with leather backpack purses. They are stylish and convenient to swing up and behind the back, leaving arms free. Now you can use the same idea to make a bunch of spring and summer cotton floral drawstring backpack purses. If you are a beginning sewer with a few projects behind you, this should be an easy next project.
Things You'll Need
- Cotton fabric
- Thread
- Cord or ribbon
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Safety pin
Instructions
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1
Purchase 1 yard of cotton fabric, thread to match and a yard of ribbon or cording.
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2
Start with the shoulder straps. Cut two strips of fabric, 18 inches long and 4 inches wide. If the backpack purse is for a larger or smaller than normal person, add or decrease the length of the straps.
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3
Iron the two fabric strips in half, the entire length. Open the fold and iron each raw edge toward the center, lengthwise. Repeat with the second fabric strip. Fold both fabric strips back in place with the original fold.
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4
Sew along both sides of each fabric strip, 1/8-inch from the edge. Set the shoulder straps aside.
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5
Cut two pieces of fabric, 14 inches wide and 16 inches long. Place one on top of the other, right sides together. Pin around three sides, leaving the top open. Also, leave the top of one side open, 2¼-inches down. Sew over the pinned area. Turn right-side out.
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6
Turn the top of the drawstring backpack purse under ¼-inch. Turn the top an additional inch under and press. Sew close to the inside fold, all the way around. This will form a tube with an opening at one end, where you left the top side open 2¼-inches.
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7
Attach a large safety pin onto the end of your ribbon or cording. Use the safety pin to guide the ribbon through the tube at the top of the purse. When you reach the opposite side, take out the safety pin and tie the two ends of the ribbon together. When you pull the ribbon the fabric will gather and close the purse top. Tie the ribbon in a bow.
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8
Fold under the straps, at each end, ¼-inch and press. Pin one end of a strap to the side, bottom edge of the backside of the purse. Pin the other strap to the opposite side in the same manner. Sew across each strap several times for strength, catching the edge of the purse
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Bring the opposite end of the strap and attach it to the top edge of the backside of the purse, under the tubing. Pin in place and sew several times across, for strength. Repeat the process for the other strap.
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