How to Line An Envelope Style Purse

Lining a purse is like putting icing on a cake. It's okay without it, but so much better with it. Lining a purse you have made is well worth the effort. It makes the bag stronger, look complete, even more professionally done and it isn't that hard to do.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric for the lining
• Purse to be lined
• Scissors
• Sewing needle
• Sewing thread
• ruler
• Pins
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Iron (optional)

1. 
    
   Fabric cut to size of the body of the bag plus 1\2

   How To Line an Envelope Style Purse:
   
   First lay the body of the bag out flat. Cut a piece of fabric about 1\2" larger than the body of the bag

2. 
    
   Checking to make sure lining dosen't extend past purse's edge.

   All around the outer edge of the fabric pin a 3\4" hem to wrong side of the fabric. At this point you will want to lay the pinned fabric back onto the body of the bag to make sure the pinned fabric will cover the wrong side of the bag, but still leave 1\4" or less from the outer edge. This is so when you sew the lining to the bag, then fold the bag, the lining will not show past the inside edges.

3. Press in the hem of the lining or if you are lazy like me, just leave the pins in and skip the pressing.

4. Now is when you need to add pockets if you want them.
   Determine how big of pockets you want to make by how much room there will be left on the inside of the purse when finished.
   In my case the purse I lined was 7" wide, so the pocket will have to fit between that 7". I decided on a 6" wide pocket that was 4" long. Adding seam allowances the cut pocket will be 7" X 5", allowing a 1\2" seam allowance all around.
   I want two pockets for my purse so I cut out four 6-1\2" X 4-1\2" squares.

5. 
    
   Wrong sides of pocket pinned together.

   Pin Wrong sides of the pockets together.

6. 
    
   Pocket sewn and turned with opening at the bottom.

   Sew around the outer edges of the pocket leaving an unsewn gap along one long side for turning.
   Turn the pocket right side out.

7. 
    
   Pressed and pinned pocket.

   With needle and thread, sew the opening at the bottom of the pocket closed. You will want to press the pocket at this point to make it easier to handle.

8. 
    
   Lining with pockets pinned in place. The bits of green paper shows which way the pockets will open once in place.

   Go back the to pin hemmed lining. Lay out the pockets on the lining in the position you would like them to go. At this point it is necessary to go back to the purse so you can determine where you want the pockets to lay and which end of the pockets that should be left unsewn.
   To do this, place the opened purse side by side with the lining. Fold the purse into it's ultimate size to decided where the pockets should go.
   Pin the pockets in place making sure to mark where the opening in the pockets should be. After all you don't want an up-side-down pocket in your purse.
   Machine or hand sew in place.

9. 
    
   Lining on purse, wrong sides together, ready to be sewn in place.

   Lay the finished lining onto the purse with wrong sides together, pin and hand sew in place.

10. 
     
    Finished purse.

    Once the lining is sewn to the purse you can finish the purses construction.

Tips & Warnings

• No hand made item is ever perfect. Don't get hung up on straight lines and making the edges line up perfectly. Pining in such a large hem allows room to make it wider or thinner as the purse needs it.
• Always double check your lining to the purse for a good fit.

Resources

• http://www.donnascrochetdesigns.com/red-black-strip-envelope-purse-crochet-pattern.html

[datheos]

on 8/27/2009 great article,5*

[FrazzledNanny]

on 5/27/2009 I love crafts! Thanks for the envelope style purse instructions. 5*