How to Make Dress Satin Purses

Use a vivid contrast colored satin for an accessory that stands out.

Make a purse from the same satin as your dress for a matching fashion accessory to wear to a formal or semi-formal event. You can make the purse into a clutch with a short strap or make it a convenient bag to carry all of your necessities with a long shoulder strap. Add embellishments such as silk flowers or imitation gemstones, or personalize the purse with a hand-embroidered monogram on one or both sides.

Things You'll Need

• Satin fabric
• Fusible interfacing
• Iron
• Lining fabric (optional)
• Sewing needle or sewing machine
• Thread
• Sewing pins
• String
• Large sewing needle
• Crystal beads
• Zipper

Instructions

1. Cut a 15 inch by 2-1/2inch rectangle from a piece of satin fabric. Cut a 4 1-2 inch by 20-1/2 inch rectangle from a piece of fusible interfacing.

2. Place the satin rectangle on a flat surface with the good side facing downward. Align the fusible interfacing on top of the satin. Place a piece of scrap fabric over the top of the rectangles to help protect the satin. Iron over the rectangles according to the interfacing's instructions to bind the interfacing to the satin. The interfacing will stiffen the satin fabric to make a sturdier purse.

3. Cut a rectangle of the same size from a piece of lining fabric. You can use a different fabric to line the purse or cut another rectangle from the same fabric to line the purse with the same satin.

4. Place the lining fabric on top of the interfacing with the good side facing upward. Sew the four sides of the fabrics together to join the lining for the purse.

5. Flip over the joined rectangles so the lining is facing downward. Fold the fabric in half to make a 15-inch by 10-1/2 inch rectangle with the lining fabric facing outward. Pin the 10-1/2-inch-long right sides together and then pin the 10-1/2 inch inch-long left sides together.

6. Sew the pinned sides together using a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine. If you are sewing by hand, you can use a small straight stitch and double back over the same stitches to reinforce the sides.

7. Turn the purse right side out so the good side of the purse is now facing outward. Fold the top, rough edges of the purse inward to create a smooth edge for the opening of the purse. Sew the folded edges in place with a small straight stitch.

8. Make the strap for the purse. Cut a 44-inch-long piece of string for a short purse handle or a 64-inch-long piece of string for a shoulder strap. Thread one end of the string through the eye of a large needle and pull the string through to double the thickness. Tie the ends together in a knot.

9. Insert the needle at the top right edge of the purse, just inside the opening. Make two or three stitches to secure the string.

10. Thread crystal beads onto the string. Keep the sewing needle attached to the string and slide the beads over the needle and onto the string. Leave 4 inches at the end of the string empty.

11. Insert the sewing needle into the top left edge of the purse, just inside the opening. Make three or four stitches and then tie a knot in the string. Cut off the excess string.

12. Add a zipper to the purse. Open the zipper and attach one piece to each side of the top opening of the purse. Sew the zipper to the purse with a small straight stitch or a zigzag stitch.

References

• "It's a Wrap: Sewing Fabric Purses, Baskets, And Bowls"; Susan Breier; 2006.
• "The Bag Making Bible: The Complete Guide to Sewing and Customizing Your Own Unique Bags"; Lisa Lam; 2010.

Resources

• AllCrafts.net: Purses & Tote Bag Sewing Patterns