Book Purse

Figure J

9. To measure for the gussets place the book cover on a table top with the spine on the table. Lift up the covers to determine how wide you want the purse to open. Measure this distance. In our case this was five inches. Measure the width of the spine. Our book cover spine measured two inches. Measure the width of the book cover. This is the width when the book is laying flat. It will be the height of the purse. Ours measured six inches. On a piece of paper draw a horizontal line two inches wide or whatever the width of the spine is. Draw a vertical line six inches long (the width of the cover), positioning it exactly in the center of the two-inch line. Draw another horizontal line five inches long (the distance the purse will open) at the opposite end of the vertical line so the vertical line is exactly in the center. Draw a line from both ends of the top line to the ends of the bottom line. This will be the size and shape of the gusset at each end of the purse. Draw another line 1/4 inch outside the drawn lines on both sides and the bottom. This is the pattern for cutting out the two side gussets.

Figure K

10. Using the paper pattern (step 9) cut out the vinyl gussets. With the 5-inch line at the top and the 2-inch line at the bottom fold the piece in half vertically. With a sewing machine stitch a line 1/8 inch from the fold on both pieces. This will ensure that the vinyl piece will fold in when the purse is opened.

Figure M

11. Using a 1/16-inch hole punch or drill bit, punch or drill holes at 1/4-inch increments and 1/8 inch in from the edge along the two angled sides and the bottom. These should match up with the holes along the top and bottom edges of the book cover. Note: You might keep the piece folded when you punch the holes and do both sides at the same time. 12. Cut a piece of stretch bead cording three times the measurement of the flattened book cover. Stand the book cover up on its spine and insert a gusset in one end with the stitched middle seam facing inside the book. Starting at one top corner line up the holes. About one inch from the end of the cord make a knot and start lacing from the top point using an overhand stitch down the side, across the spine and up the other side. Knot and cut the cord an inch or so from the knot. Tuck the ends of the cords in the stitches. Repeat with the gusset at the other end.

13. Cut the 27-inch long chair tie cord into three pieces. Cut a 10-inch length from each end with tassel attached, leaving the 7-inch middle piece.

Figure O

14. Thread the button with stretch cording, insert into holes and knot on the inside of the book. In the holes on the opposite cover insert the 7-inch length of cording and knot on the inside of the cover. The loop should be long enough to loop around the button and hold the purse closed.

15. Insert one 10-inch length of the cording with tassel attached through one hole from the front to the inside of the cover and pull through so the tassel is touching the cover on the outside. Bring the other end around to the front of the cover and lace it through the other hole. Knot on the inside. Repeat the process on the other side of the cover with the other 10-inch length of cording.