For those dress-up occasions when a small dressy purse but not a glitzy one is the order of the day, these little, easy to make over-the-shoulder purses fit the bill. They can be made with a standard snap or Velcro closing and a cord strap, or they can be made even more interesting by adding a dressy pin over the closure and using a beaded necklace for the strap. How dressy the purse turns out will depend to a great extent on the fabric you select. These purses we made for the show were of lightweight tapestry fabric, embossed velvet and brocade. All were lined in compatible fabric.
Measurements are given for a purse that measures 5" x 7" when completed. For a slightly larger size, simply increase the dimensions.
Materials:
fabric for outside of purse - 6" x 19"
fabric for lining - 6" x 19"
cording or chain or necklace for shoulder strap
ruler
sewing machine
Steps:
- Place both purse fabric and lining fabric right side up on tabletop. Fold one end of each piece up 7-1/2 inches. Sew along each side taking a 1/2-inch seam and leaving 1/2-inch unstitched at the top edge.
- Place the two pieces on top of each other with the folded over sections on the inside facing each other.
- Stitch the two pieces together sewing up one side of the unpocketed section to the top, across the top and down the other side. The stitches should almost butt up to the stitches taken on the bottom portions but the unstitched 1/2 inch should remain free.
- Trim all seams to 1/4 inch and cut off any excess bulk at the corners.
- Turn the flap (the top section) of the purse right side out. Do not turn the top section of the lining. Turn the purse (bottom section) right side out. Smooth out the corners and along all seams.
- Slip the lining into both the top flap and the purse section. Fold the top unstitched 1/2 inch of both sections to the inside, press and hand stitch closed.
- Add closure and strap as desired. If a necklace is used as the strap it will no doubt need to be opened and each end attached to the sides at the top of the purse.
)
