How to Make a Chic Handbag From Skirts

Challenge yourself to use your creativity within a budget.

Adding a coordinating chic handbag to a wardrobe does not have to be expensive. Get set for the challenge of using creativity within a budget. After all, the budget is limited, but creativity is not. Challenge that creativity with re-purposing two skirts into a personalized handbag. Use the bottom of the skirts as the top of the finished product to create this up-fashioned handbag that does not reveal its former identity as a used pieced of clothing. Use your imagination and get ready to enjoy the compliments.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of tissue paper
• Two skirts
• Sewing machine
• Basic sewing supplies
• Iron
• 18-inch quilting ruler
• Magnetic snaps (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)
• Fabric markers (optional)

Instructions

1. Draw a 14-inch by 12-inch rectangle on tissue paper. Fold the rectangle in half so that it measures 14-inches by 6-inches. Cut out a 1.5-inch square through both thicknesses of one corner opposite the fold. Unfold the paper. Template measurements should be: 14 inches on top, 12.5 inches on the sides and 9 inches on the bottom. The pattern is for the front and back of the bag as well as the lining.

2. 

   Buy two skirts from a thrift shop.

   Buy two skirts from a thrift shop or use ones you already have. Check the hems of the skirts as these will be the top of your bag. Look for skirts made from durable fabrics that have interesting pockets or decorations. Use your template to assure that the skirts provide enough material.

3. Launder the skirts according to manufacturer directions. Iron the skirts so the material will lay as flat as possible for cutting.

4. Position the template with the top along the hem of the skirt. Look for ways to incorporate each skirt's detail into enhancing the look of the bag. Cut two pieces from each skirt, but cut one piece at a time to insure that you make the best cuts. One skirt's pieces are the bag, the other skirt's pieces are the lining.

5. Cut handles for the bag. Cut two 12-inch by 4-inch strips.

6. 

   Use 1/2 seams to sew the handbag together.

   Sew the handbag using one-half inch seams and press the seams open after sewing. Sew the bottom seam. Sew each side. To join the sides to the bottom, center the bottom seam with the side seam, flatten and pin the seams together and then stitch them.

   Repeat the same steps for the lining of the bag.

7. Fold each handle piece length-wise with the right sides together, then stitch and trim the seams to one-quarter inch. Turn the handles right side out. Press so that the seamed side makes one side of the handle. Top-stitch both long sides of the handles.

8. Center each end of the handle 3 inches from the center of each lining piece. Overlap the handle with the top of the purse by 1 inch, then pin and baste in place.

9. Insert the lining into the bag. Both lining and bag have the seamed side of the bags touching. Pin around the top of the bag. Make sure the handles are exposed. Top-stitch the bags together.

Tips & Warnings

• An accurate and helpful sewing tutorial is "General Sewing Techniques" at the Sewing Support website.

• Add pockets. Leave a 1-inch border around the pockets as you cut them from the skirts. Turn under the borders and top-stitch the pockets to the purse before sewing the purse pieces together.

• Make the handles from 1-inch by 18-inch bias cut strips of fabric. Cut four to six strips from each skirt and braid the strips together for each handle. Add a length of ribbon as one of the strips. Attach to the purse as already noted.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions to attach a magnetic snap to the purse. Center the pieces of the snap 1 inch from the top of the lining.

• A khaki purse makes a great medium for fabric marker art.

• Create larger handbags by adjusting the measurements for the template.

References

• Sewing Support: General Sewing Techniques