How to Make a Zippered Handbag

Keep your sense of style by making your own handbag.

Your unique sense of style can say a lot about you, and that includes the type of handbag you carry. It's important your bag match not only your outfit, but your personality as well. Keeping up with the latest trends can be tough on your wallet, so consider making your own zippered handbag as a fashionable option.

Things You'll Need

• 1 yard fabric (exterior)
• 1 yard fabric (interior)
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Needle
• 9 inch zipper kit
• Scissors
• Fabric pen
• Tape measure
• Straight pins
• Iron

Instructions

Cut the Fabric

1. Lay your exterior handbag fabric on a clean flat surface. Measure two pieces to use as the main panels of your handbag. The top and bottom of each panel should be 9 inches long (the length of your zipper), and the sides should be 7 inches. Cut out each panel.

2. Measure another piece of your exterior fabric that is 2 inches wide and 23 inches long. This is going to be the bottom and sides of your handbag. Cut out this piece.

3. Measure one more piece or exterior fabric that is 4 inches wide and at least 14 inches long. This piece is the shoulder strap for your handbag, so its length should be one that suits your preference. Add an extra inch to your measurement to accommodate attaching it to your handbag.

4. Lay out your interior fabric. Measure one large piece that is 9 inches across and 16 inches long. Cut out the interior piece of your handbag.

Sew the Pieces Together

1. Separate the two sides of your zipper. Pin the sewing area of one piece of your zipper to the top edge of one of your main panels. Sew together. Pin the other piece of your zipper to the top of the other main panel and sew together. Before you sew, ensure that the correct ends of the zipper will match up once the handbag is complete.

2. Sew the bottom of one of your main panels to the longer exterior piece. Leave 7 inches of excess on either side of your main panel. Sew the other main panel to the other side of the longer exterior piece. Lay your project out flat and it should look like an open book, with a long bookmark running through the center and a zipper piece on each end.

3. Place your project on a flat surface, with what will be the inside of your handbag face up. Lay your interior handbag piece on top of it. Sew these two pieces together on all four sides. Note that the excess of your longer exterior piece will still be unattached.

4. Fold one side over on top of the other so the two zippered ends meet. On either side of your main panels, sew the sides of the excess of your longer piece to each of the main panels. When finished, you should have the completed body of your handbag.

5. Fold the strap of your handbag in half lengthwise. Sew it together to form one cylinder-like piece. Iron flat, with the seam of your strap centered on one side. Place the two ends of your strap at the interior sides of your handbag. Enfold about 1/2 inch at each end on the inside of your handbag to secure your strap. Sew along the three edges of the strap that's hidden by the handbag.

Tips & Warnings

• To hide any thread or jagged edges of your seams, sew each piece together inside out first, then turn it right side out. You can also hand stitch the smaller sections, tucking the jagged edges of your fabric under and then sewing the pieces together.

References

• Purse Patterns: Quilted Reversible Rag Bag Tote
• Pfaff USA: Pfaff Baggy
• All Dunn Designs; Simple Little Purse; Patty Dunn; 1995