You can make your own sturdy and attractive handbag with basic sewing skills.
Handbags are a practical way to keep your essential personal items with you. They also make a fashion statement. Some people prefer to have only one handbag in a neutral color no matter what they are wearing while others may choose to have a large collection of bags and switch them often depending upon the color or style of their outfits. Regardless of your preference, you need a bag that will withstand wear and tear. With just some basic sewing skills, you can make your own sturdy canvas handbag in just a few hours. You may want to make more than one.
Instructions
1. Decide upon the length and width measurements for the finished bag. Add one inch to the width. Double the length and add one inch. For example, if you would like the finished bag to measure 10 inches in length and 8 inches in width, the length and width measurements would be 21 inches by 9 inches.
2. Measure and draw a rectangle on the canvas, with the length and width measurements determined in Step 1, using a tape measure and tailor's chalk. Cut around this outline. Repeat this process to cut an identical rectangle from the lining fabric.
3. Find and mark the center point on each of the long sides of the canvas rectangle. Draw a line from side to side across the width of the rectangle that meets both marked points. Fold the rectangle along the line drawn, aligning all cut edges and having the right sides of the fabric together and the wrong side facing you. Pin in place.
4. Thread a sewing machine with matching colored thread. Stitch the two side seams, leaving 1/2-inch seam allowance. Start stitching the seams 1/2 inch from the edge of the fabric and end the stitching 1/2 inch from the other edge.
5. Remove the pins. Turn the canvas so the right side is now facing out. Fold over 1/2 inch on the top edge, turning the fold toward the wrong side.
6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 with the lining fabric, but leave the lining bag inside out, with the wrong side facing you.
7. Decide upon a desired length for the width and length of the strap for the bag. Cut a long strip of canvas measuring the length plus one inch and double the width plus one inch. For example, if you would like the finished strap to be two inches wide and 18 inches long, cut the strip of canvas to measure five inches wide and 19 inches long.
8. Fold the strip in half lengthwise. Pin in place. Stitch along the long edge, leaving 1/2 inch seam allowance. Insert a safety pin in one side of one of the short edges. Push the pin into the tube and keep pushing it through until it comes out the other short end.
9. Press the strap flat with an iron. Fold a half inch of raw edges on the short open ends toward the inside of the tube. Stitch in place close to the fold.
10. Place the ends of the strap about one inch down from the top edge of the bag. Center the strap evenly on each side of the side seam. Stitch in place with the sewing machine.
11. Insert the lining into the canvas bag so the wrong side of the canvas bag is facing the wrong side of the lining. Align the folded top edges. Place pins about 2 inches from these edges at the top of the bag on both sides to secure the lining in place.
12. Open the zipper. Place the edges of the zipper inside the folded edges at the top of the bag, so it is between the lining and the canvas. Pin in place, through the three layers of lining, zipper and canvas. Stitch in place using a zipper foot on the sewing machine. Clip all long threads.
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