Toddler Purse Tutorial

If I can do it, You can do it!

My daughter has shown a lot of interest lately in bags or purses. She loves to put it up on her shoulder and walk around. I thought I would try and find a pattern to make one since you really can't find cute ones like this in the stores!

So to begin with you will need:

(2) 9x12 inch pieces of fabric (I used: blue background bright floral)

(2) 9x12 inch pieces of interfacing (iron on)

(2) 9 inch pieces of 7/8" grosgrain ribbon (I used gold)

(1) 20 inch piece of 7/8" grosgrain ribbon (I used gold)

(1) 20x3 inch piece of coordinating fabric (I used: bright colored striped)

*hot glue gun, thread, scissors, iron and a heavy duty needle for sewing machine

These are the colors I chose to work with:(picture 1)

Step 1: Cut all pieces to size indicated above

(picture 2)

Step 2: Iron on your interfacing to the wrong side of your fabric.
(picture 3)

Step 3: Sew 9" piece of grosgrain ribbon 1 1/2" from each end of one 9x12 inch fabric piece. I sewed along the top and bottom edge of the ribbon to hold it in place. (see picture 4) These will be the stripes going horizontally on the purse (see first picture)
*Make sure to measure and pin accordingly so when you sew the sides together in the next step they will match up.
(picture 4)

Step 4: Fold the fabric in half, interface side out and sew 1/2" hem on each side.
Do this to the second piece of 9x12 inch fabric, also.
*Make sure to line the ribbon up and pin it in place while sewing to prevent slipping.
This is what the stitching should look like.
(picture 5)

Step 5: Iron 1/2" seam flat making a point at the bottom

(picture 6)

Step 6: Measure 1/2" from point and stitch. (picture 7)

Step 7: Next we are going to make the handle. Start by taking your 20x3 inch piece of fabric and fold it with right sides together lengthwise and make a 1/4 hem. Then turn rightside out and iron flat.

Step 8: Take 20 inch piece of 7/8" grosgrain ribbon and sew it down the center of the ironed fabric piece crinkling as you go. This will give you approximately 13 inches for the handle. Cut off the extra fabric and save for later!

*I tried to crinkle the ribbon prior to sewing it on and it didn't work for me. It was much easier to crinkle as you sew. Make sure to alternate directions of the fold, other wise it won't look crinkled, just folded.

(picture 8)

Step 9: Take your second piece of 9x12 fabric (the sides should be hemmed together) turn right side out and pin your handle centering the side seam down the center of the handle. Pin in place and sew 1/4 inch seam extending lightly (3-4 stitches) onto main fabric.

*Make sure to place your handle crinkle side out. Picture 9 is incorrect. I had to unpick and try it again twice. (My own fault, I shouldn't have altered the handle like I did. The original pattern just has a plain piece of grosgrain ribbon as the handle so you wouldn't have to worry about sewing it on wrong!) (picture 9)

Step 10: Turn both pieces inside out (interface should be on the outside) and place the piece with the handle attached inside the other.

*Make sure the handle is tucked inside. Also make sure that the handles are not twisted funny. You will be sewing 1/4 inch seam along the top and don't want them to be twisted after you are finished.

Step 11: Sew 1/4 inch seam across the top leaving approximately 3 inches open so you can turn the fabric inside out.

(picture 10)

Step 12: Now, carefully turn the fabric inside out. If you don't do it carefully you will rip the stitching open.

This is what it looks like turned right side out. If your handle looks like the picture below you'll need to follow the Step 13. If it doesn't skip to Step 14.

(picture 11)

Step 13: If your handle is upside down you will need to unpick the stitching along the top side of the purse as well as the stitching that attaches the handle to the purse. Then go back to Step 9!
(picture 12)

This is what the handle should look like after Step 12.
(picture 13)


Step 14: Now you need to sew along the top of the purse to close the 3 inch opening. Match up the two layers and sew right along the top of the purse, all the way around to finish it off.
(picture 14)

Almost Done!

(picture 15)


Just one more finishing touch!
Step 15: Take the 7 inch piece you cut off from the handle and use your hot glue gun to glue the fabric on to a spare piece of interfacing twisting as you go. Start with the center and work your way out.

(picture 16)


Step 16: Cut off excess interfacing and glue onto your new stylish toddler purse!

(picture 17)
(picture 18)
(picture 19)