Travel Purse

I needed a purse i could zip up and that would hang across my body. I found a couple of tutorials on www.craftster.org/ that i combined to make this purse. I also didn't want to but anything new so i just used things i had around so it could match better, but i like it well enough.

I used this post for the basic purse design. i made 2 inch corner cut outs to create a square base and the basic square is like 9 x 13. I just estimated something that would be a good proportionally to my body and hold enough things.


Step 1: I cut out two patterns so i could cut them out in one go.

Step 2: cut out the liner fabric using the same pattern as the outer fabric.

Step 4: make pockets for the inside. Use the liner fabric a few inches longer than the final product to add some pleats in it to accomidate the items you wish to hold.


Step 5: sew across the bottom then up the sides and in the center to create the desired pocket sizes.

Step 6: here are the pockets that are filled

Step 6: I cut out a hole a little bit smaller than the zipper and then did a zig zag around the edges. Just before i sewed the zipper on a cut a liner fabric the same size because the liner fabric snags easily on the back.

Step 7: I cut an oppening on the back to expose the zipper. This is kind of a messy look, but i will know better for next time :)


Step 8: I created the zipper for the top following this post. Next time i would add some of the liner fabric in this step for a more polished look in the end. a reminder of how to do this can be found in this post.
Step 9: sew around the outside edges except the top and the corners. Then square off the corners as shown above. Also not pictured at this step assemble the liner in the same way as the outside of the bag while inducing the lining pieces when sewing the edges and only square off one corner to allow a way to turn the bag inside out later.

Step 10. Make a long tube of inside out fabric for the strap then turn it out.

Step 11: Start the assembly process. With the main bag turned inside out push the strap down to the bottom of the bag, pin the straps in the corner to keep them in the desired place.
Step 12: add the liner to the outside bag and strap so the good sides are facing each other. Sew around the top edge.

Step 13: turn the bag right side out through the hole in the lining.

Step 14: square off the corner of the liner. tuck in the outer edges so there are no stray threads.

Step 16: The final bag overall [above] and inside [below]. I also added a little green ribbon to the zipper pull to make it easier to use.