I had a couple of emails after the last post on jeans purses asking for a tutorial or a pattern. In our class we did not work from a pattern. The lady who taught us had basically devised her own technique and walked us through the steps as we constructed the purses. I am encouraging her to publish the directions so I think I should refrain from putting out too much info. Thanks for understanding.
However, these little zippered coin purses are my own little babies so I thought I would post a tutorial for these. Not being able to waste a perfectly good purse fabric scrap, I nearly always make a little matching coin purse. These also make great rewards cards holders, makeup kits, emergency bags (you know, gum, Tylenol, eyedrops, etc.) or packaging for gift cards. Really anything goes.
It helps to have fabric with some heft to it (jeans or quilted fabric work great). Start with two rectangles (size will depend on how big your scraps are and what size zipper you want to use).
I had some 6-inch zippers on hand so that's what I went with. You can find zippers as small as 4-inches at JoAnn's. Press under about 1/2 inch on the top edge of each rectangle. Pin 1 pressed edge to the zipper tape. Attach your zipper foot (or move needle all the way to one side if your machine can do that) and stitch. I still had my jeans needle on the mach
ine and that works fine. Otherwise a 14 would be good. Repeat with the other rectangle. Hooray! The zipper is in! I always stitch a line across the bottom of the zipper also just to keep it honest!
ine and that works fine. Otherwise a 14 would be good. Repeat with the other rectangle. Hooray! The zipper is in! I always stitch a line across the bottom of the zipper also just to keep it honest!Now fold in half with right sides together, being sure to LEAVE THE ZIPPER OPEN SO YOU CAN TURN THE PURSE RIGHT SIDE OUT!!! Yes, that was yelling from this side of the screen. You will be so-o-o disappointed if you can't turn your li'l purse right side out---trust me.
Stitch the three sides (that do not have the zipper) so that you are close to the zipper ends. Does that make sense? Trim seams and corners to reduce bulk. Turn right side out and poke out the corners. You're done, baby!!! Well, almost. You will probably want to embellish or add a cute little zipper pull. Before stitching the purse together, you could embroider or applique something adorable. Add a gathered flower or a yo-yo --whatever strikes your fancy.
Here are some funky ones. The first one is from fabric made by stitching selvages to a foundation fabric (yep, I save selvages too!). The second one has a word made from those typewriter key beads--love those typewriter key beads!!!
Hope you'll try a little zippered purse. They are so quick and easy--my two favorite adjectives!
13 comments:
I love the one with the selvege fabric - what a fun idea, thanks for sharing.
Cute purses--- Zippers give me the willies!!!!!
What a wicked way to use up those selvedges that would otherwise go in the bin
Love it! I especially love the one made out of selvage fabrics. Who would have ever thought of that???
You're creativity shows all over. The little purses are terrific.
I love the little coin purses! Thanks for sharing how to make them!
Don't talk to mùe about selvedge's. I've run out of background fabric and, like Anne, threw the selvedge out when cutting the fabric up (sniff).
Love the purses and thanks for the tutorial
OH! WAY cute!
I will look at selveges in a new way now! Thanks for the great little purses. Now I want to make one, or two, or three......
Completely and totally adorable, even for the zipper-phobic me! You made it look so EASY-peesy.
What I like best about these little type purses is that they are washable and really good for holding makeup that tends to end up ON the inside of the little purse. Those little vinyl things that cost $5.99 are a joke after learning how to actually MAKE these. See? That's why we buy zippers at garage sales! I must have a hundred! LOL
These are also a great place to 'use up' your paper pieced practice blocks on little bags like these. Thanks for the visuals.
One more thing - selveges? Use a piece for the zipper pull!
This is great! I could make this out of leftover blocks! Thanks for sharing! I don't like zippers either but I'll give it a try.
I love your selvage purse!!
I have been making lots of selvage quilts and my new book, "Quilts from the Selvage Edge" published by AQS is coming out this spring!
Also take a look at the web site: www.SelvageQuilts.com. It has great photos and how-to info, a blog, a gallery for photos of visitor's selvage creations, etc.
KC, may I exhibit a photo of your selvage purse on this site? It is really cool.
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