How to Make a Quilted Patchwork Handbag

A simple quilted patchwork handbag is a wonderful accessory for everyday use. It's old fashioned charm coordinates beautifully with a pair of blue jeans or a simple summer dress. Make one using store bought fabric or recycle old clothing or linens for an heirloom handbag. This quilted patchwork handbag is easy to sew and can be created in a few hours. Make one for yourself and several as inexpensive gifts for family and friends when those unexpected occasions crop up.

Things You'll Need

• Assorted fabrics, 1 yard total
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Lining/backing fabric, 1 2/3 yards
• Low-loft quilt batting, 1 2/3 yards
• 1/2-inch diameter cording, 1 yard
• Hand sewing needle and thread

Instructions

1. Measure and cut 36 squares from an assortment of desired fabrics, 4 1/2 inches square. Lay them out on your work surface, three squares wide by 12 squares long. Rearrange until you have a pleasing design.

2. Sew each row of three squares together. Place the first and second squares together with the right sides facing. Sew one edge together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Open the squares and iron the seams open. Lay the third square over the second square with the right sides together. Sew the squares together along their vertical raw edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Open the squares and iron the seams open. You will now have a row of three connected squares. Repeat for the remaining 11 rows.

3. Place the first row of three squares on the second row of three squares with the right sides together. Pin along the top long edge of the rows. Sew the pinned edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Open the rows and iron the seams open. Attach the remaining rows in the same way.

4. Cut a 14 inch wide by 50 inch long piece of the lining/backing fabric and a 14 inch wide by 50 inch long piece of low-loft quilt batting. This will be the backing. Place the cut backing fabric on your work surface with the quilt batting on top. Center the sewn patchwork top on the batting with the right side up. Pin the pieces together over the entire surface of the patchwork, avoiding the sewn seams.

5. Quilt the pieces together by topstitching on top of each sewn seam, from one end of each row to the other and from the top of the patchwork to the bottom. Use matching thread. Trim the excess backing and batting from the quilted piece. Lay the remaining lining/backing fabric on your work surface. This will be your lining fabric. Place the quilted patchwork on top. Cut the lining using the quilted patchwork as a guide. Cut a 36 inch length of 1/2-inch diameter cording for the handbag's handle.

6. Lay the patchwork right side up on your work surface with the short ends running horizontally. Fold over the bottom short end and lay it even with the bottom of the fourth row. Pin the vertical sides together and sew using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Lay the lining fabric next to the sewn patchwork handbag and match the length of the fold. Pin the vertical sides and sew, leaving a 3 inch opening in the middle of one seam.

7. Turn the patchwork handbag right side out and insert it into the lining bag. Note: The lining bag is wrong side out. Match the open edge, the flap and the seams. Place the cording between the bags. Bring the ends up even with the edge and pin one end at each side seam. Pin all the raw edges together. Sew the pinned edges using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

8. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Hand sew the opening closed. Press the quilted patchwork handbag. Fold the flap over the opening of the handbag to close.