How to Make Placemats Into Purses

Transform an old placemat into a purse.

If you are tired of carrying around the same old purse and like the look of vintage cloth purses, consider making your own placemat purse. With just a few steps you can make a unique, cloth purse, unlike any other. Look in second hand stores for vintage placemats or buy a new one if desired. This is a great way to recycle and reuse old and vintage placemats.

Things You'll Need

• Placemat
• Pins
• Purse handles
• Thread
• Sewing needle
• Sewing machine
• Trim such as buttons and ribbon

Instructions

1. Put the placemat on a flat surface and fold it in half left to right widthwise, with the right sides of the fabric together.

2. Pin the sides together. Sew the sides from the bottom up to the top using your sewing machine. Create a seam of about 1/8 of an inch. Secure the stitching at the end of each seam. Make sure this is secured so that the seam does not open up when you are using the bag.

3. Turn the placemat bag inside out. Fold in half to determine the center of the bag. This will help you know where to place the handles. Mark the center of the bag with a pencil. Place the handles so that they are centered at the top inside edge of the bag. Sew with a needle and thread to secure each handle to each top edge opening of the bag. You will be sewing through the fabric to reach around the handles. Make sure the thread you are using matches the exterior of the bag; the stitches will show through somewhat.

4. Add ribbon trim or sew on some decorative buttons to finish and complete the look of your new placemat purse.

References

• Martha Stewart: Placemat Purse