How to Make A Drop In Lining For A Purse

Linings are what can turn a home made purse into a professional looking purse. With just a few measurements you can line any purse. A drop in lining, one you drop into the purse and sew around the outer edges to hold it in place, is one of the easiest to make.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape Measure
• Fabric
• Pins
• Scissors
• Pencil or Pen
• Sewing Machine or sewing needle
• Thread to match your lining
• A purse to line

1. 
   Measure depth and inside circumference

   You begin by measuring the depth of the purse (from the inside top edge to the bottom. Then you measure the circumference around the inside of the purse. You will have a measurement something like: 7" X 26".

2. 
   Cut fabric

   You now add a 1\2" seem allowance to that measurement, so my original measurement of 7" X 26" is now 8" X 27" with the seam allowance added. Cut that size rectangle from the fabric you will be lining the purse with.

3. 
   Rectangle pinned in half

   Fold the rectangle in half so that both short end meet. Pin and either hand sew or machine sew a 1\2" seam.

4. 
   Careful pinning of the lining

   Make a pattern of the bottom of the purse by drawing around it and then adding 1\2" for seam allowances. Pin the bottom to one long edge of lining. The purse I am lining has a square bottom so I had to be careful pinning around corners.

5. 
   Pinned bottom

   Bottom completely pinned to bottom lining.

6. 
   Pocket added to the lining

   Either hand sew or machine sew the bottom to the lining. If you would like to add a pocket, now is the time to do it.

7. 
   Sewn pocket turned right side out before bottom opening is sewn closed

   To add a pocket first decide how big of a pocket you would like, cut two out of fabric, pin wrong sides together and sew leaving a space for turning. Turn pocket to right sides, sew opening closed, pin and sew to lining.

8. 
   Pinned hem

   Pin under a 1\2" hem around outer edge of lining--hem is always to the wrong side of what you are making.

9. 
   Lining pinned to inside of purse

   Drop the lining into the purse, wrong sides together. Pin in place and then hand sew lining to purse.

10. 
    Finished lined purse

    Picture of finished lining in purse.

11. 
    Lining pulled out

    Lining has been sewn to the purse, but can still be pulled out.

Tips & Warnings

• Write your measurements down. That way you are less likely to cut your fabric too small.
• It may help to make a paper pattern of your lining before cutting it out.
• Newspaper is great to make the pattern out of.

Resources

• http://www.donnascrochetdesigns.com/black-bag-crochet-pattern.html

[williamskm]

on 5/27/2009 This seems fairly easy and I know I need it. 5*

[FrazzledNanny]

on 5/27/2009 I've been wanting to make purses but I wasn't sure how to do the lining. Thanks for the easy to follow steps and I love the pictures. Saved in my favorites. 5*