How to Make a Fabric Purse

This fabric purse is a child-sized bag created using preprinted vintage quilt squares. The purse requires very little vintage fabric to assemble, and fabric often can be found at thrift stores and tag sales. If preprinted vintage quilt squares are not available, more modern prints can be used. With so many fun novelty prints available, it is very easy to make a fabric purse to fit any personality or go with any occasion.

Things You'll Need

• 2 preprinted vintage quilt squares, 9 inches square
• 1/3 yard coordinating lining fabric
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Safety pin
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Iron the preprinted quilt squares. Trim the squares, if needed. Fold the lining fabric with two layers together. Place a quilt square on top of the lining fabric and pin through all layers. Cut the lining fabric around the quilt square.

2. Measure and cut two strips 2 inches wide by 14 inches long for the fabric purse handles. Fold a handle strip in half lengthwise with the right sides together. Pin the long raw edges together. Sew the long pinned edge using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Attach the safety pin to a short end of the handle. Insert the safety pin into the tube of the handle and thread it through to the other end, turning the handle right side out as you go. Press the handle flat. Repeat for the remaining handle.

3. Place the two quilt squares together with the right sides facing. If there is a directional pattern to the quilt squares, make sure they are both going in the same direction. Pin together the sides and bottom of the quilt squares. Sew the pinned sides and bottom using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

4. Place the two lining pieces together with their right sides facing. Pin together two sides and the bottom. Sew the pinned edges using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Leave a 3-inch opening on the bottom edge for turning.

5. Turn the sewn quilt squares right-side out and lay on your work surface. Match the edges of one handle to the top edge on one side of the bag. Center the ends on the edge and place 4 inches apart. Pin the handle ends to the purse edge. Pin the remaining handle to the other side of the purse in the same way.

6. Slip the purse inside the lining. Match the side seams and the top edges and pin. Make sure the handles are between the purse and lining. Sew around the pinned edge using a 1/4 inch-seam allowance. Turn the fabric purse right-side out through the opening in the lining. Hand sew the lining opening closed. Press the top edge of the purse. Top stitch the top edge of the purse using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

References

• Cyndee Kromminga, Craft and Interior Designer; Kro Crafts; Winfield, Kansas