Things You'll Need:
- Quilted fabric
- Scissors
- Matching thread
- A creative imagination
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Step 1
Start your venture with local thrift stores and save big bucks! Your local second hand shops like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and even the Dollar Store chains have quilted fabric (blankets, jackets, and place mats) with many colors and designs to choose from. One full size quilt you purchase from the thrift shop for $10 can make as many as 30 assorted handbags! Look at placemats too. A placemat folded in half makes a great carry-all! Once you have chosen your quilted fabric, stop by a variety store or fabric store and pick out some thread to match your fabric and some Velcro dots.
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Step 2
If you choose to make one large bag from a quilted placemat; fold it in half with the right sides facing each other (so when you turn it, the right side is facing out), and sew the sides together. Turn it inside out. Add a length of rope, braided yarn, or an old belt to the top corners to create a handle. A little Velcro dot to each inside edge will act as your clasp.
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Step 3
If you choose to make a handbag from a quilt, decide first how big you want your finished bag to be. Add an inch to each side for seam allowances and cut a rectangle twice the size of your finished bag. You will be folding the quilted fabric in half after its cut, so make sure it’s big enough before you begin to cut. The shape of your bag and the size is completely up to you. From one quilted full size blanket, you can make an assortment of bags from a personal clutch to a beach bag to hold all of your beach essentials.
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Step 4
Once your fabric is cut to size, with the inch added for seam allowance, fold the fabric together with the right sides of the fabric facing each other and sew up the sides. Turn the bag inside out. You can either cut a piece of the quilted fabric for your handle (big enough to fold in half and still be the width you need), or you can use a length of rope, braided yarn, or an old belt for your handle. You can purchase a store-bought handle from a craft or fabric store if you prefer. Attach the handle to your bag. Add a Velcro dot to the upper, inside edge of the bag to use as a closure.
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Step 5
Now it’s time to get a little more creative. Make bags from different shapes. Make bags from beach size to clutch size all from the same single quilt, and store one inside the other nice and neat! You can even make a back pack style bag from the quilted material.
As for clutches, they can get as creative as your imagination. You can cut a flap from the fabric and seam the edges to make a more secure closure for your bag. You can use a giant button and button hole to secure the top of the bag, or if you are experienced with a sewing machine add a zipper for your closure.
