How to Make a Japanese Purse

Use a versatile Japanese cloth called "furoshiki" to make your purse.

Make a Japanese purse with a furoshiki -- a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth -- in just a few minutes. You do not need any needles, threads or buttons. The furoshiki alone is enough to make the purse. Like the traditional Japanese art of origami, "paper folding," you can fold a furoshiki to make a functional purse. You can easily unfold the furoshiki purse and use the furoshiki for other purposes as well. Quickly fold the fabric again when you need the purse.

Things You'll Need

• Furoshiki or 19 1/2 square inches of thick fabric
• Two hair ties

Instructions

1. Lay the furoshiki, pattern-side down, on a flat surface. Lay the fabric in a diamond pattern, with one corner at the top of your working space.

2. Place what you want in your purse in the center of the fabric. You can remove and add items when you complete the bag, but it is easier to fold the bag around a large item, particularly a large rectangular item, such as books.

3. Fold the bottom corner of the fabric up over the items you placed in the center. Tuck the corner under the items.

4. Fold the top corner of the fabric over the items. You should leave the corner of the fabric flapping loosely over the front. You are left with two corners of the fabric out to the sides of the items.

5. Slide the hair ties over the two corners of the fabric on each side. Pull until the hair ties hit the edges of the wrapped items.

6. Tie the two side corners together. Pull the side corners upward and tie them into a knot. This knot constitutes the handle of your purse.

Tips & Warnings

• Hem the edges of your furoshiki if you like. Hemmed edges give the purse a more polished look.

• Although the furoshiki purse is sturdy, remember that you made the purse without any stitches to hold it together. Do not overload the purse.

References

• Furoshiki.com: Furoshiki, the Eco-Friendly Wrapping Cloth
• AnneKata: DIY Two Minute Summer Furoshiki Bag