Take a casual scroll through Instagram and you're bound to come across multiple fashionistas sporting the must-have accessory of the summer–a round straw crossbody bag. The basket-like purse lends vacation vibes to any warm weather outfit, and it can be yours for much less than the designer price tag using, get this, a trivet! We even offer a no-sew version if sewing is just not your thing.
Video of the Day
Things You'll Need
7-inch rattan trivets, (2)
3 1/2-inch jute webbing, 1/2 yard
1/4-inch jute cording, 4 yards
Scissors
Measuring tape
Fabric hot glue sticks + glue gun
Liquid seam sealant
Faux leather, 1/4 yard of 52-inch wide fabric
Needle + thread
Step 1
Wrap the jute webbing upright around the outer edge of the trivet and measure how much webbing you'll need to cover 3/4 of the trivet's circumference. You'll want to leave 1/4 of the trivet open to create the opening of the purse.
Step 2
Cut the jute webbing according to your measurement above.
Step 3
Cut the jute cording into strands that are the same length as the webbing, and then glue them in place onto the webbing. Be sure to press the strands tightly together as you glue. Avoid using too much glue so it doesn't ooze out between the strands, as it'll be visible and hard to remove once it dries.
Don't glue rope strands on the very outer edges of the webbing. Leave 1/4-inch border on both sides.
Step 4
Trim away any frays on each end of the webbing. Then generously coat the ends of the rope strands with a liquid seam sealant to prevent any future frays from occurring. Allow the sealant to dry.
Step 5
Position the webbing upright on top of one of the trivets. Line the 1/4-inch border along the side of the webbing with fabric hot glue and press it around the outer edge of the trivet. You'll want to glue the webbing in one to two-inch increments to ensure a smooth connection. Again, avoid using too much glue so it doesn't ooze out from the sides.
Step 6
Thread a needle with thread that matches the rattan and hand sew the webbing to the trivet (this is optional, but highly recommended). It's easier if you flip the purse over so the trivet is right side up and push the needle down through the trivet. Then pull the needle through the trivet and feed it back through the webbing. It'll take a bit of wiggling and patience to get the needle through the rattan, but it'll result in a much more secure attachment.
Tip
You'll find that it's nearly impossible to push the needle through any areas that have dried hot glue. If you hit a spot that has hot glue, simply try another spot close by until you can get the needle through. As long as you're using a thread color that matches the rattan, the stitches don't have to be perfectly uniform or straight. The stitches are simply to hold the bag together more securely and will barely be visible.
Step 7
Glue the second trivet on top of the webbing, again lining the bare 1/4-inch edge with hot glue, and then pressing the trivet in place. Remember to work in one to two-inch increments as you glue.
Step 8
Cut a strip of faux leather to 1 inch x 52 inches. This will be the strap for the bag. The handy thing about using faux leather fabric is you don't have to hem it–the fabric doesn't fray.
Tip
If you don't want to bother with creating a purse strap out of faux leather, you could simply use more of the jute cording to create a purse strap instead. You'd need an extra 1 1/2 yards in addition to the 4 yards listed on the materials list.
Step 9
Fold the faux leather strap in half and hot glue it together. Again, it's best to glue in one to two-inch increments and avoid using too much glue. Smooth out any wrinkles as you glue and press firmly along the fold line to create a nice, straight purse strap.
Step 10
Glue the ends of the strap on each side of the bag. Center each strap end about an inch down from the purse opening.
Step 11
Reinforce the straps to the purse by sewing a "catch stitch" (essentially two stitches that form a cross shape) on each end of the strap. You can skip this if you're opting for a no-sew version, but again, we highly recommend stitching the straps onto the bag.
Put on your cutest outfit because you now have an effortlessly chic bag to accessorize it, and be sure to tag us on Instagram @ehow_team if you make one.