Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Cute Li'l Purse Tutorial and a Li'l Giveaway

First decide what size you would like your purse to be and make a circle that size. I’ve chosen to make a fairly small one and have picked an 8” diameter circle to use as a template. You can use a dinner plate (I can’t because mine are square, so I used a circular plastic lid).

Draw around your circle on a piece of paper.


Now, draw a line across the circle about ¼ to 1/3 of the way down from the top. The farther down you go, the wider the opening of your purse will be.


Along the bottom of the circle, you will draw two evenly-spaced triangles. These are darts to give your purse shape. Mine are about an inch long.


Okay – cut out your pattern. (Don’t use your good scissors!) It should look something like this:


Cut: 2 of outer fabric, 2 of lining fabric, and 2 of batting.


Place batting on outer fabric pieces, lining up darts. With right sides together and using a scant seam allowance, sew the darts. Sew the darts, right sides together on the lining pieces, too.


Now, pin lining pieces to outside pieces along top edge, right sides together, and sew using a ¼” seam allowance. Flip the lining over and press.

Pin the two pieces lining sides together and matching up darts, and baste around the curved edge with a ¼” seam allowance.



It’s now time to decide what colour you would like the binding and strap to be… I chose black and cut a 2 ½” strip (x width of fabric), which I folded in half and pressed, just like a quilt binding. My fabric is a bit stretchy; you may wish to use strips cut on the bias and pieced together.

Find the centre of the binding strip. Pin to the centre of the bottom edge of the purse but only pin the bottom layer of the folded binding then continue pinning around the bottom edge.

Sew just around the curved edge, stopping at the upper edges. Turn binding to the other side, tucking the raw edges in, and pin around the curved edge again.

Check to make sure you like the length of your strap. If you want it shorter, trim it a bit, remembering that once it is sewn, it will be about an inch shorter than it is now. If you want it longer, you might add another 2 ½ strip of fabric to one of the ends. When you are satisfied with the length, sew the two ends together. I like to use an angled seam so there isn’t a bulky bit, but a straight seam will do just fine.

Continue pinning the strap, bringing the raw edges into the centre crease and folding in half. You can press if you like (I didn't, but it does make the job easier).

Sew all the way around, keeping close to the edge.


And you’re done.


Unless you want to add some embellishment…which, of course, I do.


This purse is perfect for a little girl… and I’m giving it away! If you want to be in the very random drawing for this cute li’l purse, just leave me a comment below. Tell me what’s on your to-do or want-to-do list for the summer. To gain an extra entry, mention this giveaway on your blog and link back to me. To gain a third entry, follow my blog and leave me another comment telling me you're a follower.
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I’ll announce the winner on June 30, which is my last day of work before summer vacation – so, a celebration of sorts!

32 comments:

Barb said...

That is a cute little purse...you did a great job with your demonstration....

Pat said...

Very cute! Thanks for the good tutorial! (I didn't know you had to work until June 30.)

Unknown said...

How cute! I don't have any girls and I'm already a very loyal follower of you. So, don't enter me. Give others a chance. I will blog it for you though. ;)

blushing rose said...

Darling purse. TTFN ~ MArydon

Allyson said...

Too cute!! Even a beginner like myself could takcle that!! TFS.

Thimbleanna said...

That's adorable Rachel! Very, very clever. Don't enter me though -- I don't have a little girl to give it to.

Needled Mom said...

Very cute and I love the fabrics you chose.

Renee G said...

Thanks for the tutorial--- It was quite easy to follow. I'd love to win the purse to use as a guide.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo.com

Treasuresofjoy said...

We are doing VBS and yeah I will get to quilt while my daughter is there!
And swimming and reading under a shady tree on an old quilt somewhere.
Making homemade lemonade and having a lemonade stand.
I LOVE the little purse, and my daughter would too.

AverettLadyNana said...

Darling purse! Would love to win it. I have some granddaughters who would have a fit to own it! Great tutorial...Will be using it.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Cute cute cute! My Punkie Pie Amelia would LOVE it!

Ginny said...

What a cute little purse and so easy to make! I wish I had thought of it!
Thank you for sharing!
I love your blog, so I signed up as a follower!
Thanks for the chance to win this littl purse.
Ginny

ooglebloops said...

Thanks for following me!!! I love this purse and the tutorial is very clear!!! My to-do list for the summer is way too long - but getting a hammock to hang on the porch and relax in, is on that list( unfortunately at the very end of a busy list!!!) LOL

Patty said...

What cute purse!Your tutorial was good too! My to do list for the summer is to finish some quilting projects, make two baby quilts, and either retile my bathroom or sand my floors. I don't think that is too ambitious do you?

Bobbi Jo Nichols said...

That is WAY cute!! Great tutorial also.
Your name is one of my all time favorites Rachel. Every Rachel I have known in my life has been a wonderful person.
I am loving your blog! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

lesthook said...

Thanks for the tute and for following me! Any little girl would love this!

jen duncan said...

Super cute idea!

Stacy said...

Cute purse and a great tutorial! I don't have any little girls in my life, so I'm not going to enter my name in the giveaway, but I do love your blog and am a devoted follower.

My summer to-do list is blessedly short ... walk, read, knit, rest. Oh, and there's my day job, too.

Cheryl said...

Awesome tutorial Rachel, you should do that for other things too. The tutorial that is not the giveaway necessarily!!! You could even put a little button or snap closure on that little purse if you wanted. I would be happy to put it on my blog but you don't need to enter me either, give your followers a chance not your best friend!!! haha.

lesthook said...

I am also a follower!

Anna-Karin said...

I don't have a blog, but I would love to win that wonderful purse! On my to-do-list this summer is "go to the see with my two children" on top (hopefully almost every day:)). And of course, do some crochet for one or two blankets. Pick wild strawberry, blueberry and raspberry in our forrest.
Wonderful blog You have!! /Anna-Karin
(anna-karin.persson@oktv.se)

Mary Burn said...

Love the little purse. I have two granddaughters and would have to flip a coin to see who would get it if I won.

Thanks.

Mary
mburn@comporium.net

Vesuviusmama said...

How adorable! My summer to-do list includes starting, and FINISHING, hand quilting one of my many tops. I need a quilt that I can use when it gets chilly - I seem to give them all away!

Vesuviusmama said...

I'm also now a follower! I love your page background. I almost chose it for my blog, and changed at the very last minute.

Sara said...

I am thinking that little purse is so cute. Love the way you embellished it...the flower just makes it so cute...

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Cute, cute, cute!!!!

Dolores said...

I have got to make this next. My daughter is here visiting and I have just the fabric for it. Thanks for the tutorial.

What Comes Next? said...

That is just too cute! What a great tutorial - clear and straight forward. I have to go experiment now, and put aside some of those UFOs so I can play!

Julia said...

So cute. If I should win I'll have to make three more as I have 4 grand daughters. With your tutorial being so clearly written I think i could do it easily.

Kaye said...

I thought I entered before, but guess I didn't. The purse is adorable and I really always enjoy your tutorials. Thanks

Rachel said...

That is such a cute purse!!!

Guilitta said...

Hello,

i like to win the purse.

Greeting Guilitta from germany