Handbag Competition Whipup.net

Sensationally Simple & Summery Handbag Tutorial

I originally designed this bag for a swap on swap-bot.com that was yellow themed. I had an old silky dress that didn't fit and I Loved the material on and had been waiting for an oppurtunity to use. I whipped up this little purse on afternoon and realized how many various you could make to it and how personalized you could make it. I just a second one to match a dress that I am wearing to a wedding in a couple of weeks (this one I used for the pictures on the tutorital). After I read about your competition, it dawned on me that this would be a great one for a tutorial as it has endless possible variation and just about anyone could make it.

Direction:

All seams are 1/2 inch.

Step 1:
Buy two contrasting or coordinating fabrics. Purchase 1/3 yd of #1 and 2/3 yd #2.

Step2.
Cut 10 squares of each color either with a rotary cutter or by making a 3 in. by 3 in. paper square pattern.

Step 3:
Sew Squares into rows of 4, alternating colors of squares. Iron all seams one direction.

Step 4:
Sew Strips together alternating directionof strips to create a checkboard look that is 4 squares across and 5 squares long.





Step 5:
a. Cut 2 strips of fabric (your choice on which color ) that measure 2.5 in. x 9.5 in.
b. Sew the strip to each end (the 8 inch end) of your checkerboard piece.





Step 6.
Fold piece in half (right sides facing each other) with solid strips together. Iron.
Sew side seams.

Step 7.
a. Cut rectangle of fabric that measures 15 in. x 9.5 in.
(which ever color is your preference)
b. Fold in half (makes it 9 in. x 7.5 in.) with right sides together. Iron. Sew side edges leaving top open.

Step 8. Making the Bottom:
a. Iron seams on edges flat open.
b. Measure up from corner point in center of seam 1/2 in. Sew straight across at this point (on wrong side of material at a right angle to side seam) Repeat on all four corners.
c. Trim corner off underneath the new seam to have less bulk in the corners when you turn it to the right side.






Step 9. Attaching the Lining:
a. Turn the bags so that the right side is facing out of the checkboard piece and the wrong side of the lining piece is facing out.
b. Slip outside of bag inside the lining bag. (right sides should be touching now)
c. Sew around the top edge, leaving a couple of inch opening to be able to turn the bag.



Step 10.
a. Turn bag and push lining inside the bag into place. Iron around the top edge.
b. Top stitch around top edge.



There are a lot of options for making a handle. You could simply buy one and attach it or make a number of different designs and attach them. I am including two options that I tried, but don't let that stop you from trying others. I like long straps because I have little kids who generally need my hands for this or that. On both options I have below, I made an extra long strap so that you could wear it over your shoulder or sling it across your chest also.

Option #1. A more flirty look:
You can simply attach any long silky scarf to the edges of the bag or make a scarf:

Need a piece of material: 52 in. x 10 in. Fold all edges over twice and iron. Sew around all edges to creat a clean hem. Do an accordian fold at each end and iron. Pin fold to inside edges of purse (wherever you want the straps to be) and sew across a couple of times to reinforce it.

Option #2. A more sofisticated look:

Need a piece of material 5 in. x 52 in. Fold all edges over 1/4 in. once and iron. Fold in half lengthwise rightside out 4and iron. Top stitch all the way around. You should have a 2 in. strap that is approx. 51.5 in. long. Pin strap inside edge of purse (wherever you want the strap to be) and sew across a couple of times to reinforce.

Options:

a. Sew trim around the top edge if you like (see yellow handbag)
b. Sew fringe along the bottom, sides, top... whatever.
c. Sew strips together instead of squares and have a stripped purse instead of checkboard.
and on and on and on.....





If anyone happens to try out this idea, send me a e-mail or a pictures and let me know how it turned out and if you tried any variations.