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

[Roe]

Thanks,

i have always wanted to try to make my own purse... i love them and love being original, i couldn't find a helpful guide online, until now! I can't wait to try it out!!

[kulsun]

thankyou very much for your tutorial I have bought fabric and am planning to sew bead and rhine stone , to make a bag your pattern is very informative I am going to print the instruction to keep near my sewing machine for easy use

[FEARLESS HEART FABRICS]

Hi Autum,
Love your name, what I mainly want to know is where did you get that fabulous fabric? It looks fantastic on the purse. I make fashion accessories and would love to know who makes the fabric. Thanks a bunch and I love your house.
Lisa

[Stephanie]

Do you sell your bags? If so how do I ORDER ONE

[Heather]

Thank for this. I'm a newbie at sewing and I am a HUGE purse addict. someday I'd like to give this a try.

Heather

[Pat Raines]

Great Tutorial! You explain steps so clearly!
I have made purses before but your steps are better...so I will try them.
I appreciate you helpfulness.

[Cyndi]

What are the finished dimensions of this purse? Just curious if I would want a bigger size or not.

Thanks!!

[Jodi]

This is a great tutorial. I am going to definately try this purse. I have just recently started making my own purses and want to sell them. Would you have a problem with me using this pattern and then selling them? I will do somethings a little differently. I would also like to post your blog on my blog if that would be okay with you.

[Dreaminginlilies]

HAve you found something other than cardboard to put into the bottom of the bag? I like mine to be washable, so any suggestions for another type of material to use for stabilizing the bottom of the purse would be fabulous!
I also like to make a matching purse organizer for each purse I make...

[Handbag Auctions]

Your tips are great! I really want to start creating my own purses and handbags, it looks quite hard to do, but Im going to give it a go.

TNX, Great Post!!!

[EB in MO]

Instead of using cardboard which will break down very soon (especially if you load a purse/bag as do I) try going to a hardware store and ask for plastic "screen wire"? It's sewable with a heavier machine needle like a 100/18 top stitching needle and perhaps you wouldn't have the breakdown problem you would eventually experience with cardboard. I haven't tried it but I have a friend who has sewn professionally for years and Sharon has made everything from men's suits to covers for RVs.

[Monogrammama]

Thanks sew much for sharing your tut!!! I'm gonna use it to make a lunch bag for my daughter (varying a few details, of course)! For this being your first one, I don't think you could have done a better job. Thanks again!!!

[Alleta Baltes]

What a great bag! I have mine cut out, but wasn't sure how to do the fusible. Your instructions are really clear. Thanks so much!

[Beth Penny]

Autumn, I've used these clasps and reinforce them as well, and I have never had any problem with them either! Great job!

[Beth Penny]

Autumn, I SO LOVE that you wrote this tute in January of 2006 and that it's gotten such a great following and attracted so much traffic, even 6 years later!! I would ask you where you got this AB FAB fabric, but I'm guessing it's long gone by now. It is GORGEOUS! I have made many different bags, using different patterns, tutorials & of my own design. This tutorial is perfect because it is a simple, basic purse pattern that you can use in so many different ways. Dress it up, dress it down, make it into a thermal lunch bag as someone mentions just above, diaper bag - the shape is perfect & I am really excited to try your methods! Thank you for taking the time to do this. (I do think it's funny that you say in your tute "there aren't many bag tutorials out there" and now they are EVERYWHERE!!) But, yours has stood the test of time and stands out as a favorite of mine. Thank you again. Beth

I noticed you didn't answer a lot of the questions, so it's likely you are way too busy to deal with this, but I do have a question about this step:

"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"

DO YOU USE A ZIPPER FOOT? I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A HARD TIME SEWING NEATLY WHEN I HAVE MAKE KEY FOBS, ETC. USING A KEY RING. I would love any suggestions or tips on how your tabs look so perfect, if you have the time, of course! Much thanks! Happy crafting!

[Autum]

Beth Penny, I just noticed your comment when I signed onto my blog after a long absence. Comments usually come to my email, I'm not sure what happened. I'm sorry, I wasn't ignoring your question. I do have a zipper foot and it does make it much easier to snug up close to when sewing something like a key fob. If not using the zipper foot, I have also used the function that lets me move the needle to the left or right.

Thanks for your kind words about the tutorial, I have thought about rewriting it, with better photos. That was certainly my early days of blogging.
As far as answering questions, I hate that it looks as if I didn't answer many, back then, the comments were not threaded like now. I replied, but it went to the commenter's email, rather than showing up here. It is nicer now, so others can see the answer to the questions.

Have a lovely day!

Autum

[nissaMade]

Hello! Great tutorial. Just wanted to let you know I've linked to this tutorial on my recent post .. http://nissamade.blogspot.ca/2012/09/useful-techniques-part-deux.html

[Autum]

Hi! Thanks so much! It's an oldie that's for sure, but the basics never change. I should really rewrite this and take some better photos. I loved that you used the basic idea to make a fabric box.  I have used this same technique to fake a gusset on a chair cushion. You know the cushions you get for outdoor furniture. The front is squared off and the back rounded. This technique used on the front portion of the cover works great.
Thanks for letting me know you found this helpful!

xo Autum

[Tina L]

I made about 10 of these for Christmas gifts 2 and a half years ago. My boss was one recipient and she told me the other day it is starting to fray a bit and that she has used it constantly to take paperwork back and forth to work and home. Three of the bags I made were tiny for my young granddaughters. I love this pattern, it turns out so well. These are going to be my go to handmade gift again this year. Thank you for sharing.

[Kulsum]

what type of card board did you use

[Autum]

I just used whatever was around.  I saved shipping boxes and cut them into purse size pieces.