How to Make a Cloth Ladies Handbag

Making a handbag is a fun craft. Careful selection of materials allows for a large collection of unique, color-coordinated purses for every outfit without spending a great deal of money. Choosing inexpensive fabric placemats also allows for laundering the bag if it gets soiled.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth placemat
• Straight pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Tailor's chalk
• Snap or hook-and-loop fastener
• Sewing machine
• Trim (optional)
• Wide ribbon (optional)

Instructions

Simple Clutch Bag

1. Lay the placemat on a table, as if using it when serving a meal.

2. Fold the left side over until the edge is about one-third of the width from the right edge.

3. Pin the top edges together and repeat with the bottom edges.

4. Stitch the pinned seams with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Use a contrasting thread and zigzag stitch for decoration, if desired.

5. Fold the remaining edge over the clutch and mark the location for the snap with the chalk.

6. Stitch the snap or fastener in place by hand.

7. Add decorative trim, as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a shoulder strap to the bag by machine-stitching wide ribbon under the flap.