Basic Purse Tutorial

I was working on purse orders today and decided to take pictures as I went along and attempt to post a tutorial. I don't know who may see this and if it will help any one but I am constantly searching the internet for tips and suggestions and there aren't a lot out there. craftster has lots of great purse tutorials but I don't think I have seen one there just like this. Here is a picture of the purse I made. You can make changes to this basic concept and make lots of different styles.

I use this basic pattern for all my purses.

You will need about 1/2 yard of each fabric for outer bag and lining and about 1 yard of stiff fusible interfacing. I use pellon craft fuse. For this bag I made cloth handles attaching them with 4 1" d rings. You can use purchased handles if you want instead.

To begin cut 2 of your outer bag fabric and 2 lining fabric and 4 interfacing  in a 13" x 12" rectangle that is slightly wider at top than the bottom.

Iron fusible interfacing to each fabric piece

With right sides together cut a 2 inch square out of the bottom corners of the outer bag

Now right sides together sew down sides and across bottom of outer bag

Iron seams open and bring side seam and bottom seam together at bottom corners

Sew across this 4 inch line on both sides. This will form the bottom gusset of bag.

Turn bag right side out.

I forgot to mention the pocket. Cut a piece of fabric  12 inches by about 13 inches cut interfacing 6 inches by 13 inches. Fold the 12 inches in half and fuse the interfacing to the wrong side. Sew down the long side leaving the ends open. Turn to right side and iron. This will be the pocket.

Fold the lining pieces in half to find the center point for marking for your magnetic clasp. I measure 1 1/2 inch from top for placement of my clasp. Make a mark on each lining piece.

Now place pocket on one side of lining 3 inches from top edge and pin in place. Mark for pocket divisions. I use a 4" ruler and place it on center and mark both sides. Sew pocket in place on lining piece by sewing across bottom edge of pocket and down the division lines.

Now sew lining pieces together down sides and across bottom just like you did the outer bag. Also sew the corners as you did for the outer bag. Now place the magnetic clasp in the lining. I reinforce it by using the square piece I cut from the lining corner.

To make the handles cut 2 pieces of fabric 20 inches long by 4 inches wide and 2 piece 10 inches long by 4 inches wide. Cut 2 interfacing 19 inches long and one 10 inches long.  Fuse interfacing to fabric. For the 20 inch long pieces fold and iron in half the long way, open the fold and fold short ends in 1/2 inch, fold each side of the long sides into the center fold and then fold in half. Stitch close to the edge on both sides. Do the same with the 10 inch pieces except for folding in the short sides.

Cut the 10 inch piece into 4 pieces 2 1/2 inches each. These will be the tabs that attach the strap to the bag. Using a 1 inch d ring sew each tab piece to the flat side of the d ring then attach the strap folding down about 1"

Repeat for both straps. Pin straps to top of outer bag 3" in from outer edge.

Zig-Zag across top of bag going over straps several times to be sure they are secure.

Now insert bag  right side out into lining  with right sides touching matching side seams and pin into place.

Sew around top leaving a section for turning. Section needs to be about 5-6 inches so that a 4 inch piece of card board can be inserted.

I use a fabric glue stick and apply glue to both sides of a piece of cardboard cut the size of the bottom of the bag- this one is 4 inches by 8 inches after turning bag insert the cardboard in between the bag and lining.

Now turn down the edges of the opening and pin closed. Top stitch around the top of bag and you are done.

I hope this will be helpful and not too confusing. I have never written a tutorial.

*For this bag in addition to the pellon craft fuse I used a layer of fusible fleece to make the bag a little thicker. It is not necessary and I don't always do this. I just fused the fleece to the outer bag after the craft fuse.

I make a book bag or diaper bag using this same pattern just increase the dimensions and make the handles longer.

You can also add ribbon to the outer bag or monogram. You should do this before sewing the bag sections together.

Comments

[rebecca]

great tutorial! your bags look very sturdy and well constructed. nothing i hate more than a purse that sags when you put anything heavier than a tube of lipstick in it!

[joanna]

Thanks for all the work in putting together the tutorial! That purse looks great! I have some of that same fabric in my stash. Too cute ;)

[Sigrun]

Great! I have some nice Amy Butler fabrics laying around, just waiting to be made into bags, but being a novice I’m a bit afraid of cutting into them. So for me your tutorial is going to be really helpful!

[Kelli]

Followed the steps in this tutorial and made myself a purse, you know I'm kidding. You do make it look easy though.

[molly]

yeah, I love tutorials,esp when they involve bags. I'm going to have to sit down and take a close look at this one. thanks for sharing it!

[beki]

Great tutorial, thanks. I never thought about using fusible fleece. Once I get my current projects out of the way it's time for a new bag for me and a new diaper bag for the bun in the oven.

[Erin]

Thank you, thank you for this post. I can't wait to try one.

[meg]

Thank you for taking the time to write this tutorial - you are so generous! I have been struggling with trying to figure out how to make a bag with a structured bottom and now I don't have to reinvent the wheel. :0) Stumbling across this post was a great start to my day!

[Mia]

Hi ya. Just writing to say I love your blog and your creations are gorgeous. Could I have your permission to put the photo of the finished basic purse on my site, along with a link to your site for this tutorial.
I would love to as it I am a bag lady from way back and this is a great tut.
Best Wishes
Mia

[Deb]

What a great tutorial, I love your bags.. thanks for sharing your tips.

[Spipo Designs]

Thank you so much for this tutorial.I create jewelry for now and other accessories but I'd like to learn how to make leather handbags as well. Your tutorial has been helpful in learning different techniques. Thanks

[HeatherJ]

Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing this project with us. I saw similar bags at the fabric store, and I have really wanted to give it a try, but I hate spending money on patterns. I'll be back with the results. Thanks again!

[Amy]

I recently bought a designer handbag. Bag measures approximately Height 11", Length 19", Width 5". Material: Brown leather top trim and strap. It is a GUCCI Brown Horsebit Pelham Handbag. I am thinking of putting a magnetic clasp on this bag for added security. The magnetic clasp i found in craft shops do not have instructions. Can you recommend:
1) What size clasp for this bag size?

2) How would you put a magnetic clasp on an existing bag, is it difficult? I am not an "arty/creative" person, so a bit reluctant to try to put a magnetic clasp on the bag in case i ruine it.

[Karen L]

thanks Its just the bag I have been looking for!
Its fantastic you did a great job

[Heather]

I'm sure you are overwhelmed with comments but I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to post these, I am so excited, I'm going to get started right now!

[Ingrid]

Hello! I just wanted to say thank you a lot for takink your time to post these, this tutorial has been a huge help for me, God bless you!!!!

[Sara]

Thanks so much for this tutorial! I love your blog and your beautiful bags. I'm hoping my sister will love the (less than perfect--because of my lack of skill, not your direction) handbag I just made from this tutorial. Merry Christmas.

[tracey]

what dimensions do you use for a diaper bag?

[Sew Spoiled]

Hi,
I am a fan of your beautiful work. Thanks for the tutorial!!! It is such a flexible bag with so many possibilities. I too belong to flickr and I found your blog through your profile. May I add you to my blog site???
Thank for the extra help, it is nice not to have to reinvent the wheel.

[Christy]

You make it sound so easy. Gosh I hope I start to understand this stuff. =o)

[dacraftylady]

Hi I love your tutorial, I have a question. I love to make bags and have recently tried the interfacing addition to mine. Here is my dilemma...how do I know which on eto buy??? I mean I went to Joanns and there are tons of them there. all fusible and so I picked one...well I ironed it to the fabric, only thing is it doesn't stick??? I thought it was suppose to stick to the fabric? Isn't that what fusible means??? Thoguht since you are so good at this you would know,,,thanks...

[MonsterBug Blankets]

Thanks for the tutorial! I'm about to sew my first handbag! I figured out most of what I wanted to do--but this answers the few questions I still had! :) Thanks!

[ksouder]

I have been looking at your beautiful bags and enjoying them very much!I've been making purses and totes for several weeks now and wondered if I was doing the best I could with it. Your tutorial shows I'm on the right track, but I haven't been putting cardboard in mine. I may try it and see if I like it better. Thanks for sharing!

[Julie]

I have a purse that I bought at a craft fair with a magnetic snap installed just like yours, and my purse ripped around the snap after barely a month of use. I just talked to someone who told me how to install a magnetic snap correctly. Sorry, ladies, her method of installing snaps is not for purses you would use on a daily basis or sell for profit! No offense.

[Autum]

Julie, I appreciate your input and welcome any helpful tips. I don't know if you noticed, but I reinforce the snaps with interfacing, and have never had any trouble with the fabric ripping around the snap. I'm sure there are many other ways of installing a magnetic snap, this just happens to be the one I use.