The "Just Like Mommy" Purse Tutorial

 Last year I made Kaylee a little purse. She still has it and enjoys bringing it on outings. She was invited to her friend's little birthday party this Saturday, and I thought a "Just Like Mommy" purse would be the perfect gift for this soon to be four year old. So I got started and snapped some photos for anyone who would also like to make one for a little gal in their life.

The Just Like Mommy Purse Tutorial

For this project you will need:

fabric (scraps are perfect for this)

fusible interfacing

Velcro or snaps

thread

scissors

pins

sewing machine

paper/pen to make a pattern

1. Make a pattern. Fold a piece of 8 1/2 x11" copy paper in half.

For the top part measure out 3". Mark it with a pen. Then go down 4" and measure (from the fold) a 3 1/2" width and mark that. Then, starting at your top mark, fill in the distance between the dots by rounding it off like the pattern above. Also round off from the bottom mark to the fold at the bottom of the pattern.

 You just want a round shape similar to mine.

You can make it bigger or smaller. But if you are following mine for a tiny purse, follow my measurements. I forgot to snap a photo of the two marks before I rounded them off, but hopefully you get the idea.

2. Open pattern. If it looks like an appropriate shape, sort through your fabrics and pick 2. One for the outer, and one for the lining. You'll also need some fusible interfacing in the same size.

3. Cut two pieces from each fabric and another two pieces from the interfacing, for a total of 6.

4.  For the strap, cut a piece of fabric that is 2 1/2" x 20" and a section of interfacing the same size.

5. I added a little monogram to my purse. This is of course, optional, but such an easy embellishment to do. I used some "wonder under" (iron on adhesive) to the back of my fabric, cut out the B and ironed it onto a piece of the outer fabric.

6.  Cut 1 1/2" of Velcro and sew it to the right sides of the lining fabric 1" from the top and centered in width.

7.  For the strap: Iron on the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. Press the length sides 1/4" on each side (top and bottom as well). Then fold the strap in half ad press. This will make it look neat and tidy and you will not have to turn it right side out after sewing.

8. Iron the interfacing to the wrong sides of the outer fabric.

9.  Using a 3/8" seam, sew the outer and lining sections on the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Trim seams and clip curves. Using a 1/4" seam, sew the strap side section.

10.  The outer fabric should be inside out. The lining fabric should be right side out. Place the lining section inside the outer section. You should only see the wrong sides of the fabric. The right sides will be touching inside. Pin around the top and stitch around, leaving a 3" gap to turn the purse right side out.

11. Turn right side out. It will look like this.

12.  Gently push the lining down into the purse and tuck the opening down just a bit. Press and pin. Then top stitch around the top of the purse, catching the opening in the seam. This will close off the opening and finish up the bottom section of the purse!

 13. Position one side of the strap INSIDE the purse 1" from the top and centered with the side seam. Attach to the purse by sewing in a box shape.

14. Do this to the other side as well. You'll see my box shape in this photo and you'll also see that it is not exactly centered. Oops.

Finished!