Rainy weekend + economic slow down = weekends at home being crafty. Seriously. I've decided to go into my stash of fabric and make gifts for the holidays. Consider Santa's Little Sweat Shop officially open for business. I plugged out five purses last weekend and a few other gifts that I am not going to mention b/c I don't want to reveal potential Christmas gifts.
The purse project was Martha Stewart's Reversible Purse however, I (as well as several other bloggers) found this template very hard and lacking in a few necessary steps, so I made my own instructions below. I don't have any final photos, but I do have some in process one's with my new labels. (Apparently I am going to mention them on each blog posting --sorry for the overkill -- can you tell I'm excited!)
So, download this template and follow the directions below.
1. Download, enlarge, and print template on heavy paper or card stock. Please note that I increased the size by 200%. Trace template twice on each fabric and cut out.
2. Align and pin the two solid pieces together, right sides facing. Do the same with the two patterned pieces.
3. Using 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew along the top of each handle piece (the top of the long rectangular section) and along the bottom curve of each pinned piece, leaving both sides of both handle panels open.
4. Clip the curve edges on the inside so the patterns lays smooth when completed.
5. Turn the solid piece right side out, and insert the solid piece into the inside-out patterned piece. Line up seams, raw edges, and handles.
6. Pin the edges of the "neckline" of the bag and sew with a 1/4-inch seam. Clip the curves.
7. Going through the longer handle, turn the entire bag right side out (patterned fabric on the outside). Press all seams.
8. Fold raw edges of "armholes" in 1/4 inch and press. Baste together. Topstitch 1/8 inch around bag handles to finish make sure you caught both sides and that the seams are laying flat. Give it one more kiss with the iron and voila... finished! Now you have a cute little grab and go purse.
3 comments:
I've made a purse like that before, though not from that particular template. Aren't they fun?
Stopping by to say hi, since we're in the same Sew Craft Blog group now. Nice to meet you!
I'll have to try one of those purses. I knee-deep in Christmas sewing too. I made my hubby a Hawaiian shirt this summer and now all the guys want one.
It's nice to meet you. I'm in Sew Craft Blog Group # too. Stop by and say hi.
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