Textured Purse

Rosie Hernandez, of Miami Beach, Fla., knows a woman can never have too many handbags! And since this native Argentinean has an artistic flare, she likes to make her own. Her specialty is creating hip and fashionable, textured purses.

Materials:

cotton blend fabric
China silk fabric
jute twine
pattern
glue gun and hot glue
leather cord belt with medallions
sewing machine
leather cord
scissors
pins
pencil
matching color thread

• cut a 10" x 7-1/2" piece straight on the top and rounded on the bottom for the front (figure A)
• cut a13-1/2" x 7" back piece including the flap cut straight on top and rounded on the bottom (figure B).

2. Cut the following pieces from the China silk fabric:

• Two 13" x 10" rectangles for the front and lining
  
• Two 20" x 10" rectangles for the back and lining
  
• Two 24" x 4" rectangles for the sides and lining

3. Cut four pieces of leather cord that will be used to tie the flap closed on the front of the purseL

• two 20 inches long
• two 10 inches long
• cut 24 inches leather cord for the shoulder strap
• or cut two more pieces of leather cord 24 inches long to use as a strap

5. Position the silk fabric on top of the textured cotton blend purse (front and back) pieces. For the front, use one of the 13" x 10" rectangles, apply hot glue to the sides of the jute twine (figure E) and scrunch the silk fabric around the jute to highlight the texture underneath (figure F). Work in a small area at one time, pressing the silk along the design edges. Trim excess silk fabric.

6. For the back, apply the 20" x 10" rectangle of China silk to the back cotton blend piece with the flap (step 5)(figure G). Trim excess silk fabric.

7. To put the purse together, pin the side rectangle of China silk 24" x 4" fabric to the back, lining up the top edges, with right sides together. Insert two 20-inch leather cords on the tip of the flap. Stitch together allowing a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

8. Pin the front piece onto the sidepiece with right sides together (figure H). Insert two 10-inch long leather cords in the center of the bottom (figure I). Stitch front to sidepiece using 1/2-inch seam allowance. Stitch a button or medallion to the bottom front for closure. Turn (figure J).

9. Pin and sew the interior lining in the same manner using the China silk pieces. Leave an opening at the bottom of the lining for turning.

10. To stitch the lining to the purse, place right sides together and pin. Insert each end of the leather belt (figure K) (or leather cords if using those) to the top of each side. Stitch around leaving an opening at the bottom for turning. Make sure belt design faces outward when turned.

11. Turn the purse right side out (figure L) and hand-sew the bottom closed.

Enjoy your textured purse!

E-mail: rosie@rootsofartinc.com

Website: www.rootsofartinc.com