Read Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs Online
Authors: Lexie Barnes
SKILL LEVEL
pro
This simple purse can be designed to suit your individual needs and taste. Customize it to fit your daily essentials. This one has pockets for gadgets like a phone or MP3 player. You can add a zipper to the main compartment or a flap on top — or both, as we’ve done here.
OUR FINISHED SIZE:
8" × 10", 52" strap
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
½–⅜ yard of fabric for the bag and strap
½ yard of contrasting fabric for the flap and pockets
1 matching zipper (optional) at least as wide as the purse (we used an 11" zipper)
Sewing supplies (
see page
18
)
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Decide your size
Cut your fabric
Make the pocket panel
Make and attach the flap
Attach the zipper (optional)
Make and attach the strap
Stitch and turn your bag
CUT YOUR FABRIC
1.
DECIDE YOUR SIZE
. You can base the size of your purse on the pockets, the main compartment, or both. If you have a lot of little things to keep track of, I suggest starting with your pockets. Pick the most important items and lay them on top of your pocket fabric. Mark the pocket lines carefully and be sure to add a little ease (make the pockets a little wider than your gadgets, which is especially important if your gadget is not flat). If you are planning to carry something a bit bigger, like a notebook, then use it to determine the size of the bag first. You can add pockets to that and customize them as needed.