Experimental Purse Making Project!

I found this BEAUTIFUL fabric at the fabric store. You can't really see the fabric for what it really is through the pictures, but it's a black/grey denim with a little shimmer factor to it. It looks really rich and pretty. But! I feel like the pictures make it look a little grey cotton jersey-ish. Anyway, I also bought some purse handles at a craft store... they're these dark wood rings I thought looked nice. However! I'd like to say, that now that I've worn my purse around, they're a little uncomfortable.

I didn't have a pattern for the bag so I just kind of made up a plan on what I was going to do and try to do it. I think the overall effect was nice, but I didn't end up putting a zipper across the top because I was lazy. A toggle-type button would look nicer anyway. So! Once again, here we go:

Oh, as always the plan! I ended up skipping the non-pocket zipper.
Here we go: 2 large rectangles of fabric(14
First I'm going to screen a lovely something on one of my large rectangles with my Speedball Screen Printing kit.
The Plan!
The Stuff!
Screen Print stuff
Look familiar?
While it dries I will work on the pocket... the measurements are arbitrary, but the width of the fabric is the same as the zipper. I cut two rectangles, and then cut one sort of in half, as shown here.
I folded 1/4 inch over and ironed it down. This is so you don't see rough edges where I'll sew the zipper.
Ta Da!
The inside pocket
Ironing!
Like so.
I have no idea if this is how you correctly sew in a zipper but it works for me.
It looks good to me.
See?
Pin and Sew
Check it out!
Now I sew the sides and the bottom. I sew the sides right up to where the zipper begins and ends so it'll be a nice and tight fit.
Flip it right side out and viola!
I press the top and the sides down and draw a line about four inches from the top. This is because this will be where I fold the fabric over the handle and if I match the edge to the line I will ensure a nice straight line.
More sewing!
Yay! Pocket!
Now back to the purse...
Pin! ...and don't forget the pocket.
See? And then squish it all down for a nice ruffly/scrunched affect.
Assuming that you managed to do the other side without the aid of pictures, now I sew the side seams. I stop right about where my finger is for a nice wide opening. Also I sewed the hem down above my finger so the rough edges would be flat against the purse.
Pin to the line.
One side done!
Sew it up!
A trick I learned in sewing class is to make a point at the bottom and fold it down. This will make the bottom of the bag more boxy than just a pillow case.
Mark where that fold line was... make sure it's even on both sides...
Then sew and clip off the excess fabric!
Fixing the corners
Mark
Cut
Now it's got a lovely 3-D quality to it.
Ooh la la! Who's that fashionista? And wow, isn't that a lovely painting behind her.
A close up... the screen print didn't come out as pretty as it could've... the white! I always have problems with the white!
Flip it out.
Rock it.
Another view



Comments

Posted by trish on Sunday, May 6, 2007 @ 6:33PM
Ok, I'm an idiot... after much prying, the handles eventually pulled apart, so I didn't have to sew them in. I could've sewn the bag without the handles and slipped them in later and saved myself some awkward sewing.
Posted by Rouz on Thursday, May 3, 2007 @ 9:02PM
Naturally I look at all the pictures backwards. I was particularly impressed with the same design on the bag as the painting on the wall.
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Supplies

  • 1/2 yd. fabric
  • Small Zipper
  • Screen Print Kit (optional)
  • Purse Handles

Tools

  • Sewing Machine
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Iron

Budget

$10 bucks







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