How to Make an Over the Shoulder Organizer Style Purse

A good purse is essential to complete an outfit and an organized bag makes life easier. Most of the bags that are sold on the market are either beautiful without much functionality, or have tons of pockets and an organizer but no personality. But there is a way to combine both beauty and functionality: make your own over-the-shoulder organizer-style bag with customized pockets to meet your requirements.

Things You'll Need

• Fashion fabric (shell)
• Lining fabric
• Interfacing
• Scissors
• Iron
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. From shell (fashion) fabric, cut two 13- by 15-inch pieces for bag front and back; cut two 3- by 13-inch pieces for side panels.
   Cut one 19- by 30-inch fabric for lining.
   Cut one 7- by 46-inch piece of fabric for shoulder strap; iron on interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. Fold the length of the fabric in half with the right sides together. Sew using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
   Turn the strap right side out, press seam allowance and set aside. The finished strap should measure 3- by 46-inches long.

2. Cut two 3- by 15-inch pieces for bottom from outer fabric and cut one from interfacing.
   Fuse interfacing to bottom on wrong side of the fabric.
   Place bottom fabrics wrong sides together; stitch all four edges and set aside.

3. Determine the size of the pocket (approximately 10 by 15 inches). Cut one pocket and one lining piece this size.
   Place pocket and lining right side together; stitch 1/4-inch seam at upper edge.
   Turn pocket right side out, press pocket and edge stitch upper edge.
   Baste edges to sides and lower edge of bag piece.

4. Cut four panels 15 by 6-1/2 inches of lining fabric and two pieces of interfacing. Fuse interfacing to the fabrics.
   Stitch the fabrics right side together with 1/4-inch seam allowance at upper edge.
   Turn it right side out, press and edge stitch. This will be the organizer for your bag.
   Baste organizer to the center of the lining and create the individual pockets for the items by sewing vertical lines from the bottom of the fabric up to the point where the folded fabric pocket ends.
   Set aside.

5. Pin bag front and back to the bottom of the bag, right sides together, matching long edges.
   Stitch 1/4-inch seam. Press seam allowances toward bottom of bag.

6. Attach shoulder strap to the side panels by pinning upper edges of side panels to the edges of shoulder strap.
   Stitch using 1/4-inch seam allowance.

7. Pin lower edge of one side panel to bottom of bag, right sides together. Stitch 1/4-inch seam. Do not catch seam allowances in the stitching.
   Repeat for remaining side panel.

8. Pin side panels to bag front and back, matching raw edges.
   Stitch 1/4-inch seams, ending at previous seam line.

9. Insert lining pocket (optional).
   Fold lining in half crosswise, right sides together. Stitch 1/4-inch seams on the sides, leaving a five-inch opening in one seam.

10. Stitch about four inches across corners, trim to 1/4-inch seam allowance.

11. Pin bag to the lining, with right sides together; center the lining seams on side panels.
    Stitch 1/4-inch seam at upper edge. Do not catch shoulder straps in stitching.

12. Turn the bag right side out through the five-inch opening in side seam of lining. Machine stitch opening closed.
    Press upper edges of bag; edge stitch.
    Secure the shoulder strap edges making an "X" stitch, stitching through all layers.
    The bag is finished for your organization.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase fabric from the upholstery department for a more sturdy and trendy looking bag.

• Add a customized pocket to the inside of the lining for more space.

• Top stitch with contrast color threads for more visibility.

Resources

• Singer Creating Fashion Accessories; Created by the editors of Cy DeCosse; 1993