How to Make a Purse From Felted Wool Fabric

When the winter is over, turn your woolen clothing into cute purses.

Felt wool purses are a great way to recycle old wool sweaters. The wool is also eco-friendly because it is 100 percent natural. It is durable and if maintained well it will last a long time. Using an old sweater to make a purse from felted wool fabric is a convenient way for beginners to get started designing purses. Depending on the pattern of the sweater, the purse can be bold and bright or muted and natural.

Things You'll Need

• 100 percent wool sweater
• Mesh laundry bag
• Needle
• Thread
• Washing machine

Instructions

1. Place the sweater in a mesh laundry bag.

2. Wash the sweater on the hot wash/cold rinse setting on your washing machine.

3. Remove the sweater from the washing machine, shake it out and lay it flat to dry.

4. Cut the sweater into a desired shape. See resources section for pattern ideas. For a beginners' purse, cut across the chest in a straight line so that you're left with a rectangular piece of fabric connected at two sides.

5. Turn this rectangle of fabric inside out and lay flat.

6. Thread the needle with any desired color and sew up one opening using a loop stitch. Stitch back and forth over the opening closing up a secure base to the purse. Turn the piece back right-side in.

7. Cut the sleeve of the sweater to create a long strip approximately 2 inches wide. This will be the strap.

8. Sew each end of the long strip of fabric securely to the open sides of the purse using a loop stitch.

9. Decorate the purse to style. Embroider onto the front, sew on ribbons or bows or just leave it as is.

References

• Wool Crafting: Felted Wool Purse
• HGTV: How to Make a Felted Wool Purse
• Owning Alpaca: Felted Wool Purse

Resources

• Knitting on the Net: Free Knitting Patterns
• Straw: Free Felted Bag