PURSE WITH SPECIAL CLOSURE
NAN RICH
Supplies:
Fashion Fabric ~ at least 1 yard.
Lining Fabric ~ 1 yard
Interfacing or batting ~ 25 x 13 inches for purse
Enough for width of pockets and handle
Extra fabric if you are putting ruffles on
Size 18 needle
Directions for cutting:
1. Cut outside fabric 12 ½ by 25 inches
2. Cut lining fabric 12 ½ by 25 inches. (The lining needs to be cut 1 inch longer
than purse if you are NOT quilting so you will have a ½ inch seam in the bottom if
you wish to finish the top by stitching the lining and purse right sides together and
turning).
3. Cut interfacing 12 ½ by 25 inches
4. Design pockets for both inside and outside of purse (optional).
5. Cut out pockets
6. Cut lining and interfacing for all pockets
7. Cut handle 32 by 3 inches from outside fabric for handle
8. Cut batting or interfacing for handle 1 1/2 by 32 inches.
9. Cut 4 loops from outside fabric 2 ½ x 4 inches
Directions for sewing:
QUILTED PURSE: Have all pieces put together with batting and quilted before
combining them into the purse. The pockets for the lining should be attached to
the lining.
PLAN WHERE YOU WANT INSIDE POCKETS by folding purse lining and
placing them on it. If you have quilted the purse, you will need to think about the
stitches that will show on the outside of the purse when you stitch the pockets to
the inside. These can be covered by the outside pockets if you place them on top
of each other and use the same placement of stitches!
LOOPS:
Fold the loops for the handle in half along the length of each loop. Take a 1/2 inch
seam with right sides together. Then turn the loop right side out and fold in half.
Baste across the bottom. You will have approximately a 1 inch wide loop by 2
inches long when finished.
The raw edges of the seam should be finished by serging or binding before you
stitch the seam together. Stitch side seam.
MAKING BOTTOM BY STITCHING CORNERS:
Stitch corners to make bottom of purse: Fold sides of bag so the right sides of
seam are together. Stitch about 2 inches up from the point of the fold. Do this on
both sides of the purse bottom. When the purse is then turned back to the right
side you will have a flat bottom about 4 inches wide. The points can then be cut
off and finished by serging or binding the raw edges.
THE LOOPS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO ON BEFORE FINISHING THE
TOP EDGE OF THE PURSE. They will need to go about an inch and one quarter
(1 1/4“) on each side of the center when folding the purse side to center fold of
other side.
You will need to bind the top edge of the purse as you would bind the edges of a
quilt. LOOPS: The loops will have to be attached raw edges to raw edges of top
of purse and the binding stitched onto the top of the purse. When the binding is
turned to the inside, hand stitch it to finish and the loops will pull up along the top
of the bag.
To make the handle:
Cut a piece of batting 32 inch by 1 1/2 inch and lay in center of handle. Fold the
edges on each side so they meet in the middle. Press. Then fold in half again and
press. Stitch along each edge.
Run handle through the loops on the bag with the raw edges coming together in the
center of the front of the purse.
Finish as desired. Be creative!! Jackie has a fabric rose on hers. You could use a
button, pin, etc.
IF YOU ARE NOT QUILTING THE BAG:
Directions:
Lining should have been cut 1 inch longer than outside of purse. Cut the lining
into two (2) pieces across the bottom.
Outside of purse: Finish all pockets by lining them. Place lining right side to right
side of outside fabric and stitch leaving an opening to turn. Turn and press. Then
attach to outside of purse where you want them. Stitch side seam or seams. Make
bottom corners as directed above.
Pockets for lining should be interfaced and lining attached as above and turned.
Then attach to lining.
Stitch side seam or seams of the lining. Stitch in only 1 inch from each side on
bottom edge of lining. This opening is for turning the bag right side out.
Slip the exterior purse body into the lining so they are right sides together. Align
the top edges and side seams. REMEMBER TO PIN LOOPS IN PLACE Pin
lining and stitch around the top of the purse.
Turn the purse right side out by gently pulling the outside purse body through the
bottom opening of the lining.
Machine stitch or hand sew the bottom opening of the lining closed.
Finish the bottom corners of lining as you did the exterior of the purse corners.
These will be wrong side out so that the points will be to the inside of the purse
between the lining and outside of purse.
Push the lining into the purse cavity. Smooth the top edge and press. It can be top
stitched to hold the lining in place.
Finish handle and decorative closure as directed for the quilted bag.
IF YOU ARE INSERTING THE ZIPPER POCKET
1. Lay zippered pocket lining (pattern #4) face down over the right side of the
purse assembly so the marking on the backside of the pocket will be visible. Align
these two sets of markings.
2. Pin in place and stitch along all four sides of the zipper opening using a short
stitch length for greater strength.
3. Cut a small slit into the center of the stitched opening. Carefully make diagonal
clips back to the stitching line at all four corners Stitch again if you cut into
stitching line.
4. Push lining fabric through opening to the backside of the purse. Smooth the
seams so the opening is square and neat. PRESS
5. Place zipper face-up against backside of the pocket opening wit hit top at the
top of the opening. Center zipper within the opening. Pin. Using a zipper foot,
stitch around zipper close to edge of fabric opening. If your zipper is long, trim
any excess tail.
6. Working from the backside of the purse assembly, fold the right edge of the
pocket lining over to meet the left edge of the lining. (Right sides of lining will be
facing) Stitch along all open edges.
7. Pin the back patch pocket in place. Using the Velcro on the underside of the
pocket as placement, attach a ¾ inch section of “looped” Velcro to the purse body.
8. Stitch in the ditch along the seam line created between the pocket and the bias
trim to secure it to the purse body.