Embellished Bags

Figure A

Steps:

1. Cut the black and white striped ribbon into two 9-inch pieces (figure A). Repeat for the candy pink ribbon.

2. Position the striped ribbons next to each other down the front center of the purse, leaving approximately 3/4-inch excess ribbon lying above the top of purse, and 3 inches below the bottom of the purse. Fold the top edge of one ribbon into the inside lip of the purse opening. Make a small mark with a pencil 3/4-inch down from top of purse in between the thick and thin black stripes of one ribbon; this indicates where the eyelets begin. Make three more marks down the ribbon in the same area, 1 inch apart for additional eyelets.

3. Line up the striped ribbons next to each other on your work surface. Using the marked ribbon as a guide, make pencil marks inside the corresponding stripes on the unmarked ribbon.

Figure C

4. Punch holes in the striped ribbons where the pencil marks were made. Set eyelets in these holes with the setting tool.

5. On the side opposite the eyelets, glue one striped ribbon on top of one candy pink ribbon, letting about half of pink ribbon show along the edge (figure C). Repeat with remaining ribbons.

Figure D

6. Position ribbons in the center of the purse, eyelet lengths next to each other. Glue 3/4-inch ribbons into the inside lip of the purse (figure D). Thread a black satin cord through the eyelets and lace the center ribbons together in a crisscross corset fashion. Adjust the lacing and ribbons so that there is about a 1/4-inch gap between the ribbons. Tie the bottom of the satin cord into a knot or bow and trim the excess cord.

Figure F

7. Glue the ribbons carefully to the front of the purse, smoothing and adjusting as you glue. Take your time! At the bottom edge of the purse, fold the raw ribbon edges under and glue. Glue the folded edge onto the bottom of the purse for a neat finish (figure F).

8. Remove the existing purse handle and replace with the silver chain handle.