Patchwork Handbag - emblibrary.com

1 Patchwork HandbagPatchwork HandbagComplete with a cell phone-sized pocket, and sleek satiny lining, this Patchwork purse is fabulously functional! Collectively, the four sides of the purse consist of 16 embroidered blocks. We used two different types of fabric for our purse -- a light blue textured twill and a dark tan finished purse is 14 1/2 inches wide, 9 1/4 inches high and 4 3/4 inches needed:** 1yard outer shell fabric (If using two colors, 1/2 yard each)** 1/2 yard inside lining fabric** One pair of purse handles ** Cut-away stabilizer** Spray adhesive** Cutting mat** Rotary cutter** Needle and thread ** Beads (optional) Designs Used:** Turkish Fancy Circle** Fans and Flourishes Squarefile:///C|/Documents%20and%20 (1 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57.

2 55 AMPatchwork HandbagLay the first color of the outer shell fabric right-side up. Mark eight 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 inch squares on the fabric. The dimensions of each square include a 3/8 inch seam allowance and fit a 4 x 4 inch embroidery design. Mark the center of each square by measuring each side of each square and dividing by two. Draw horizontal and vertical lines connecting the marks -- these lines will be used for hooping. Repeat this marking process for the second color of outer shell fabric. You may need to extend the lines outside of the square to aid in a piece of cut-away stabilizer with adhesive and smooth the fabric on top.

3 Align the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric and hoop the fabric and the hoop to the machine, load the design, align the needle directly over the center point and embroider the design. file:///C|/Documents%20and%20 (2 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagWhen the design has finished stitching, unhoop the fabric and trim away the excess stabilizer. Repeat the hooping and embroidering process for each each of the squares from the fabric. Using a rotary cutter and mat works well. Lay out six squares for one of the long sides: three across the top and three below.

4 We are alternating the two :///C|/Documents%20and%20 (3 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagStarting with the top row, lay the middle square and the left square, right sides together. Pin along the right a 3/8 inch seam along the pinned the sewn squares, right side up, and add the right square to the middle square, right sides together. Pin along the right edge. Sew a 3/8 inch seam along the pinned :///C|/Documents%20and%20 (4 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagPress the seams open. Repeat the pinning, sewing, and pressing process for the bottom row of the top and bottom rows right sides together.

5 If you are alternating colors, take special care to line them up. Pin in place along the top a 3/8 inch seam along the entire pinned edge. Be sure to keep the seams open between each square flat as you one of the long sides is complete! Lay out another six blocks and repeat the pinning, sewing and pressing process to complete the other long side. file:///C|/Documents%20and%20 (5 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagLay out the remaining blocks. There should be two for each of the end sides of the purse. Position the blocks so the colors alternate with the blocks on the edges of the long sides.

6 Lay the blocks, right sides together, and pin along the top edges. Sew a 3/8 inch seam along the pinned edge on each pair of blocks. Press the seams open. Now the short sides are complete and the outer shell can be one of the outer shell fabrics to cut out a bottom for the purse. Measure, mark, and cut a 15 x 5 3/4 inch rectangle. file:///C|/Documents%20and%20 (6 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagLay the purse-bottom on top of one of the long sides, right-sides together. Align the edge of the purse-side with the edge of the purse-bottom. Pin in a 3/8 inch seam along the pinned edge.

7 File:///C|/Documents%20and%20 (7 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagLay the recently sewn pieces open and flat, right side up. Lay the second long-side on top of the purse-bottom. Align the edge of the purse-side with the edge of the purse-bottom. Pin in place. Sew a 3/8 inch seam along the pinned all of the seams :///C|/Documents%20and%20 (8 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagLay the assembled sides and bottom right sides up. Lay each of the short-sides, right sides together, on top of each side of the bottom piece. Align the edge of each side piece with the short edge of the bottom piece.

8 Pin in place. Sew a 3/8 inch seam along the pinned edges. Align each short-side piece with the long-side pieces. Pin in place. Sew a 3/8 inch seam along each edge. Turn the outer shell right-sides out. If you would like to add beads or other embellishments to the outer shell, use a needle and thread and sew them in :///C|/Documents%20and%20 (9 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagUse outer shell fabric for the purse straps and inner pocket. Cut four 2 1/2 inch x 5 inch pieces for the straps. Cut two 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch pieces for the inner pocket.

9 Fold each piece of strap fabric in thirds, lengthwise, bringing the long edges in. file:///C|/Documents%20and%20 (10 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagFold it in half. Sew a seam on each long side, as close to the edge as possible. Repeat the folding and sewing process for each of the four straps. file:///C|/Documents%20and%20 (11 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagLay the two pieces of pocket fabric, right sides together, and pin along one a 3/8 inch seam around the pinned , mark and cut two 6 x 6 inch pieces from the inner lining fabric.

10 We chose satin for our inner lining. Lay the pieces, right sides together, and pin a corner just as you did on the pocket s outer shell. Sew a 3/8 inch seam along the pinned :///C|/Documents%20and%20 (12 of 21)2/16/2007 3:57:55 AMPatchwork HandbagCarefully trim the seam allowance on the outer shell portion of the pocket. Trim as close as to the seam as possible without cutting the the inner lining right-side out and insert the outer shell portion inside the wrong sides will be together. Pin along the raw edges. Sew a 3/8 inch seam along the pinned edges.