How to Design Your Own Purse for Kids

Design your own purse for kids by using recycled and vintage textiles to mimic those designed for adults. The purses are wonderful as mommy-and-me designs, and since they are miniature versions of larger purses, they require fewer materials. These purses can be casual enough for the county fair and formal enough for church or a mother-daughter tea. They are quick to make and your child will love helping you design them.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tracing paper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Small amount of recycled or vintage fabric
• Small amount of lining fabric
• Sewing machine
• Trim for handles
• Iron
• Needle and thread
• Trim for purse edge
• Fusible web
• Cookie cutters or pattern shapes
• Buttons, beads, sequins or charms
• Craft glue

1. Draw a 6-inch-wide by 7-inch-long rectangle on tracing paper. Round the corners of a 7-inch side and cut out. This is your basic pattern shape for your purse designs. Use this pattern to cut out two purse pieces and two lining pieces.

2. Pin the first pieces together with the right sides facing. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance around the edges, leaving the long straight edge open for the top of the purse. Repeat for the lining pieces, leaving a 3-inch opening along the bottom for turning. Turn the sewn piece right side out. Cut two lengths of ribbon, rick rack, braided yarn, jean seams, jute or cording, 12 inches long for the purse handles.

3. Match the ends of one handle piece with the middle of the top edge on one side of the purse. Separate the handle ends by 4 inches and pin. Turn the purse over and repeat on the other side with the other handle. Place the purse piece inside the sewn lining bag and pin the top edges together sandwiching the handles in between. Sew around the top edge using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Turn the purse right side out through the opening in the lining. Hand sew the opening closed. Press the purse.

4. Top stitch the trim around the top of the purse. Rick rack, ribbon, eyelet, lace, sequined ribbon or beaded trim will give you many design options.

5. Iron fusible web to the back of a fabric that will coordinate with your purse fabric. Draw around a cookie cutter or pattern shape that will enhance the design of the kid's purse on the paper side of the fusible fused fabric. Cut out the shape and peel the paper away. Place the shape on the front of the purse and iron. Glue buttons, sequins or charms to the purse design using craft glue.