Fabric Handbag
Fabric handbags are back!!! They are very trendy and you will see them
in all the department stores. You
can create your own handbag in just a few minutes. Fabric and craft stores are stocking fun
handles, clasps, and other embellishments that allow you to make very
professional looking handbags.
Materials
Two
coordinating fabrics each 11” x 17”
(one for the lining and one for the outside of the handbag)
Iron
on interfacing 11” x 17”
Handles
of your choice
See
through ruler
Pencil
Straight
pins
Sewing
machine and tread
Iron
Instructions
*All seams are 3/8 inch unless
otherwise stated*
1. Iron
interfacing to the back of the outside fabric piece
2. Fold
the lining fabric in half (right sides together)so you
have a rectangle that is 81/2” x 11”. Stitch
both 81/2” sides together. Leave
a 3” opening in the middle of one side. Repeat this for the outside
fabric but do not leave an opening.
3. With
right sides still together, form a triangle in the lower corner of
the outside fabric. Open
the seam so it is flat. From
the point of the triangle measure in 1 ½” and draw a pencil line. Pin
and stitch on the line. See photo. Repeat
this step for the other corner of the outside fabric and for the lining
fabric.
4. Turn
the lining right sides out and place it inside the outer fabric. The two pieces of fabric will now be right
sides together. Open and match
the side seams at the top of the handbag and pin all the way around
the top edge. Stitch around
the top edge.
5. Turn
the handbag right sides out through the opening in the side of the
lining.
6. Stuff
the lining into the center of the handbag.
Press the top edge of the bag. Top stitch around the top edge of the bag 3/8
inch from the edge. Hand stitch the lining closed.
7. Press
the sides of the bag to form four crisp corners.
8. Top stitch on the pressed lines 1/8
inch from the edge.
9. Press
the bottom of the bag to form a crisp edge around the base of the handbag. Top
stitch on the pressed lines.
10. Hand stitch handles onto the bag. For another option: Tie ribbons onto the handles and stitch or glue them to the bag.
