How to Make Recycled Purses
Dig through your closets and attic for vintage textiles you no longer have use for. Old suits, coats, damaged quilts, needlepoint,and outdated textiles can be made into fashionable recycled purses. One basic pattern is all you need to create recycled purses for all the women on your Christmas list. Family members will love a special purse made from grandpa's old suit or a tattered quilt created from grandma's hands. Cut around worn or stained areas of your chosen fabric to make your recycled purses and enjoy the conversation and memories they evoke.
Things You'll Need
- Lightweight cardboard
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Pen
- Vintage linens or clothing
- 1/3 yard fabric for lining
- Fusible interfacing
- Iron
- Sewing machine
- Straight pins
- Recycled purse handles with attaching rings
- Bias tape
- Hand sewing needle and thread
Instructions
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Measure and cut a piece of lightweight cardboard 11 1/2 inches wide by 16 1/2 inches long. Round the corners on one long side for the bottom edge of the purse. This is the basic purse pattern. Layer two pieces of your chosen recycled material with the right sides together. Lay the pattern on the layered fabric and trace around it. Pin and cut out the two pieces. Repeat with the lining fabric and the fusible interfacing.
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2
Lay the recycled purse sides with the wrong sides up. Place the fusible interfacing on the purse sides with the glue side down. Iron the interfacing to adhere. The interfacing will add a sturdy body to your purse, even if the recycled material you use is thick, like a quilt. Place the two purse sides with the right sides together and pin. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance on all sides except the straight top side. Place the lining fabric with the right sides together and pin. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance on all sides except the straight top side. Leave a 3-inch opening on the bottom edge of the lining for turning.
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3
Cut four pieces of bias tape 2 inches long. Turn the outer purse sides right side out. Lay the ends of one recycled purse handle against the top edge of the outer purse. Center and separate the ends 6 inches apart or, if the handle is wooden, center the stationary shaped handle. Mark the handle placement on the purse side. Fold a bias tape strip in half, matching the short ends. Lay the folded strip on the purse side with the raw edges even with the edge of the purse, at a handle mark. Pin the bias tape loop. Repeat for the remaining handle mark. Turn the purse over and repeat on the other side with the other handle.
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4
Place the outer purse inside the lining. Match the top edges of the purse and lining, and pin. Sew the pinned edge using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Turn the purse right side out through the opening in the lining. Iron the purse. Hand sew the opening in the lining closed. Thread the attaching rings of the handles through the bias tape loops.
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