Fat Quarter Purse

Sew Mama Sew!, a blog that caught my attention a few weeks ago, had a tutorial on Fat Quarter purses and I thought it would be super fun to make one.  This purse is great because it is extremely cost effective and easy to make.

Here is the cost breakdown:

$1.99 fabric quarter
$1.50 yard of interfacing
$.68 remnant of muslin (which I only used a quarter of!)
$ 2.50 purse handle
thread________________
$6.67


I pretty much followed this blog's instructions to the T since I hadn't ever made a bag.

• First I cut two inches of fabric off the side of my quarter for my handles.
• Then, I cut the rest of my quarter in half.

• I ironed my pieces so they could be pretty and flat.
• I sewed my 2 inch piece together with the RIGHT sides facing one another.  I then cut the piece into 4 equal pieces and turned them back right side out.

• I pulled the 4 straps through my handles and put them aside for later.

• Next, I cut two pieces of muslin (for my lining) and 4 pieces of fusible interfacing (which gives the bag strength) the same size as one of my fabric pieces.
• Next, I applied fusible interfacing to the back of each my fabric and muslin.  This involved an iron and damp cloth.  Note:  Do not iron on the kitchen table even if you have a towel underneath it.  You will leave heat marks and have to explain to your husband.

• After my interfacing dried, I pinned my handles to the RIGHT side of my fabric.  The length that you leave exposed at the end of the hem will depend on how long you want the straps to your handle to go.

• Next, I pinned my muslin to the same side, covering the handle and RIGHT side of my fabric.  I stitched this hem 4 times, since the I blog I was learning from explained that this was a big stress point for the bag.  Use the zipper foot for this step, so that you can get closer to your handle.

Zipper Foot

Regular Foot

• After both of my handles were stitched on, I pinned my RIGHT sides together and my muslin together.  Your handles should be in between your pieces of fabric.

•  Stitch every side except for what will be the bottom of your lining.  Turn your bag right side out.

•  I tucked the edges of my lining under and pinned them together to sew them shut.  My tutorial blog recommended sewing the lining all but 4 inches while it was still inside out and them hand stitching it shut, but my hand sewing skills are way below par.  I think I liked the way the other blog looked better though and will try it that way next time.

•  I tucked my lining in and Viola!  My first Fat Quarter purse!