How to Make a Placemat Purse

Here's an easy and inexpensive way to make a handbag out of a quilted placemat! These are great for gifts or to make and sell on ebay!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• quilted placemat
• sewing machine
• handles
• decoration material (optional)
• velcro, zipper, or buttons for closure

1. 
    

   Fold your quilted placemat in half, lengthwise and sew the sides together, from top to bottom, about half and inch to an inch from the edge. Please note, that whatever side you want to become the outside of your purse, will be on the inside at this point. Later, you will turn it inside out.

2. 
    

   Press down the bottom corners, about an inch from the bottom, forming a triangle edge, then sew across. This seam will be perpendicular to your first seam.

3. 
    

   Trim your excess fabric. Sew on your handles, and velcro, then turn purse inside out.

4. 
    

   If you wish, you can decorate with ribbons, buttons, and many other things. Here I just used a simple ribbon for the handles and decoration and a small velcro closure.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use zippers or buttons for closure.
• Use a placemat with the same pattern on both sides
• To add a liner, use a thin fabric, trim it to size and sew in on during step one