How to make a Change Purse

I desperately needed a new little purse to put my sewing feet in. The one that came with my machine was plastic and ripped. So, I made this little change purse/ goodie purse to use for my sewing feet!

When doing a zipper on something like a change purse, I like to get my zipper a little bigger than I want my project to be. Ex. I wanted a 5"x5" change purse, so I got a 7" zipper. You can do it as big or small as you would like though. This was just the measurement I wanted.

You will need;
* Zipper
* Main fabric
* Lining fabric

If you want a stiffer purse, use some iron on interfacing on the backside of the main fabric.

First, cut your main fabric and lining fabric to the size you want but remember to add for seam allowance. I wanted a 5"x5", so I cut mine to a 6"x6".

Iron down the top edge of each one about 1/2".

Lay your lining pieces down, then place the zipper over them. Place your main fabric over the outside part of your zipper. (Your fabrics will be wrong sides together).

Make sure the bottom and top fabric are lined up and sew them into place at the zipper.

Now, open your zipper to about half way and flip your pieces so the lining fabrics are on each other and the main fabrics are on each other.

Pin and sew around the purse. Start at the bottom of the lining sewing and leave about a 3" opening for turning.

Now turn your purse right side out. Whip stitch or machine stitch your opening, turn it down in your purse.

Now, wasn't that just easy peasy!

Little Miss Priss Purse

You will need to cut two front and two back pieces at 2"x18 1/2" for your straps.

Take one front strap piece and one back piece and sew them together right sides together on both long sides. Do this with both sets.

Turn your straps right side out and sew a top stitch on both sides about 1/4"

For my tip on turning straps click HERE

Cut 2 inside and 2 outside pieces to measure 9" wide x 10" tall. On my outside pieces I cut my top pieces at 9"x4" and my bottom pieces at 9"x6".

If doing two fabric combos for the outside like I did, sew a top piece & bottom piece right sides together. (Do this for both front and back)

Press your seam open.

Cut a 2"x2" square in both lower corners to both your outside front and back.

After you have done this for both outside pieces, pin them right sides together and sew down both sides and bottom.

Now line up your bottom seam with each of your side seams and sew them together. This will close up the squares you cut out.

Your outside should now look like this.

Do the same steps to make the inside part of your bag, except leave about a 3" opening on one of the sides.

Place your Outside part inside your inside part right sides together. Pin them together around the top... remember to also place your straps in there too! Sew around the top about 1/2".

Once you get them sewn together, go back to the opening you left. See the outside of your bag in there? Pull it out, flipping your bag right sides out.

Whip stitch your opening closed after you get it turned out right. Then sew a 1/4" seam around the entire top of the bag.

You're done!

The Ella Diaper Bag

For a tutorial on my wipe case click HERE

For a tutorial on my yo-yos shown on the wipe case click HERE

You Will Need:
* 1 1/2 yrd. of iron on vinyl
* 1 package of Extra Wide Double Fold Bias Tape
* 1 yrd. of fabric "A" (My fabric "A" is the owl fabric)
* 1 1/2 yrds. of fabric "B" ( My fabric "B" is the green fabric)
* 1/4 in. elastic
* 7/8 in. elastic
* 1 1/2 yrd. of iron on stiff interfacing

You will need to cut out for the outside:
* 2 Bag front and back 20"x13" (unless you want to front to be 2 fabrics like mine, then you will need the top piece to be 20"x5" and the bottom half be 20"x*")
* 2 Sides 7"x13"
* Bottom 20"x7"
* Cut 1 piece of iron on vinyl for each piece on the outside

You will Need to cut out for the inside:
* 2 Bag front and back for inside 20"x13"
* 2 sides 7"x13"
* Bottom 20"x7"
* Cut 1 piece of interfacing for each inside piece

Inside Pockets:
* 2 7"x6" pieces
* 2 3"x14" pieces
* 1 28"x6" piece

Straps:
* 2 pieces 4"x28" fabric "A"
* 2 pieces 4"x28" fabric "B"
* 2 pieces 4"x28" interfacing
* 4 pieces 4"x28" iron on vinyl

First we will be working on the Outside

**If doing a monogram, go ahead and do it on your front piece where you want it

Here is my front.

With right sides together, sew a 3/8" seam allowance
This is what your back should look like now.

Flip to the front and sew along the entire piece

Now that your front is sewn together. Iron your vinyl to all the outside pieces following the instructions.

Now I will be using 1/2" seam allowance for the rest of the bag

With right sides (vinyl sides) together sew the front and bottom together.

Now with right sides (vinyl sides) together, sew the each side piece on.

This is what you should have after sewing on both sides

Now to sew on the backside!
Again with right sides (vinyl sides) together sew on your back piece by attaching it to the other side of your bottom piece.

Ok... this next part does require some maneuvering but is easy peasy!
Sew your sides onto your back piece. After sewing, you will have only the bottom piece open.... A bag is starting to form! Yay!!!

See how the bottom is still open?

Now to sew up that bottom to finish up the outside of our bag! Line up the side and bottom part that is open and sew them together.

Flip Your bag right side out and admire what a great job you done on the outside! This always gives me the extra little boost I need to finish it up! Haha!

Ready!? Now to the inside!

Iron on a piece of your interfacing to each of the pieces for the inside (front, back, sides and bottom)

Take your 2 7"x6" pieces and sew a strip of your bias tape to each top (7" side)

After you sew the bias tape to the top of each one, iron down the sides and bottom.

Place them on one of your 20"x13" pieces and sew then down. I just centered mine. (Remember to NOT sew the top part down or you won't have a pocket!)

Now take your 28"x6" piece and sew a piece of your bias tape to one of the long sides. (This is going to be your large inside pocket w/ elastic)

Cut 1 piece of your 1/4" elastic 20" long.

Take a safety pin and stick it through one end of your elastic and hook it on your fabric. (This will make sure the end won't slip in and get lost.)
Stick another safety pin through the other side of your elastic (This will help you easily slide your elastic piece through the casting.) Try to not let the elastic get twisted.

Once you reach the other side, sew down your elastic piece so it will stay in place. (Do this for both sides)
You will have this so far.

Line up the bottom of the piece you just done with the other 20"x13" piece and pin in down.

You will notice their is loose fabric for your pocket now. Just make a few (however many you want) of pleats to get the fabric flush.

Now take your 3"x14" piece, fold it in half right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam allowance to make a tube. (Do this for both pieces)

Turn your tubes right sides out by sticking a safety pin in one end and gliding it through to the other side.

Now iron down both of your tubes centering the seam on the back.

Now take a 7" long piece of your 7/8" elastic and slide it through the tube. (Do this for both tubes)

Once your elastic gets sewn down... attach one to each of your 7"x13" side pieces.

Now, assemble all your inside pieces just as you did for the outside pieces. Only this time on one of the sides, leave a 6" opening.

Take your 4 pieces for your straps and iron on a piece of interfacing to the back of fabric "B" and iron on 1 piece of the iron on vinyl to all four pieces (right side)

Take a piece of your fabric "A" and your fabric "B" and stitch a 1/2" seam allowance with right sides together.

Turn your piece to right sides out and finger press a 1/2" seam allowance on the open side and sew both sides and the center down. (Do this for both straps)

Now put the OUTSIDE part of your bag on the INSIDE part and pin the top edge together. Also go ahead and pin your straps on. The strap raw edges will meet the bag's top raw edge.

Sew a 1" seam allowance around the top edge.

Now, go to that 6" opening you left and pull the bag right side out. This may seem impossible, but with time and patience you can do it. The vinyl does make it a little harder to "slide" out but just take your time. I promise it will fit through.

Once you have concord turning it right side out, sew about a 1/4" seam around the entire top part of the bag.

The last part is all up to you. You can have no closure, do a sew on velcro, snaps... ect

Now take a look at how great you done on your new bag and be very proud! After all, it's quiet a job!