Supplies:
* Fabric
- for the first attempt, try a fun cotton fabric

- scrap size - 4" x 5" is more than enough

* Vinyl or leather
- 3"- 4" scrap
* Leather cord, embroidery floss or other material suited for purse straps
* Construction paper

* Posterboard or lightweight cardboard

* Craft glue

* Small sharp scissors

* 1 bead (yeah, just one...unless you drop it on the carpet or something)

Step 1. Cut a rectangle.

Cut a rectangle out of the construction paper. The exact dimensions don't matter. The width of your rectangle will be the height of your purse. For 11.5" dolls, a rectangle about 1" x 3" works well. If you want to make a big tote bag, cut a bigger piece. Construction paper is nice, because it gives a nice firmness to the purse, but it's still really flexible and you can sew through it easily. 

Step 2. Glue rectangle to fabric.

Ok, see how easy this is? Slather a bunch of glue on your rectangle and stick it onto the BACK side of the fabric. Try to keep the rectangle in the same line as the grain of the fabric, so there will be less fraying. After it has dried (about 2 minutes), cut the fabric along the paper edge.

Tip: For thicker fabrics, bend the rectangle a little while the glue is still wet, so the fabric is well-stretched over the paper.

Step 3. Form the body of the purse.

Put a line of glue along one of the short ends of the rectangle, on the fabric side. Then curl it into a ring and hold the ends together until they stay stuck. 

Most purses aren't perfectly round, they are a little bit flat, so they don't stick way out while you are carrying them. So, once the back seam is dry, gently reshape your ring into an oval shape. Try to get it as symmetric as possible. 

Step 4. Fun with leather.

Or fun with vinyl, suede or whatever else you want to use as your trim.

Tip: Use a trim that won't fray.

Trace the outline of your oval purse onto the poster board. For this you want something stronger than the construction paper. Old doll boxes or liners work well. Don't worry about how messy the line looks. It's just to give you a guide for the shape and size. Also, don't worry if it is bigger than your purse. We will take care of that later. 

Now glue your cardboard oval onto the BACK side of your trim. Here I have used some ultrasuede. If using leather, try to find a thin piece. For vinyls, look for those with a fabric type backing, as glue takes forever to dry on the PVC or plastic surface. Once the glue is dry, cut the fabric along the paper edge, just like with the rectangle above. 

Step 5. Ok, now that we're done with geometry class, can we PLEASE make the purse???

Using your same trim material, cut out a bunch of strips. Try to get the lines as straight as possible. You can use a ruler and a sharp Exacto, or you can draw a line on the backside, or you can cut from the backside, following the grain of the material. Whatever floats your boat. Cut them as thin as possible, but try a variety of sizes. You will only need 2 strips, but it's fun to experiment with different looks. 

Glue the covered cardboard oval to your fabric covered ring, with the fabric sides facing the outside (duh!). If you put the glue on the oval part, it will encase that lower edge of the ring, and stabilize it more. Don't worry, it will stay stuck! 

So now you're saying, "But I cut out my oval with the skill of a toddler, and now it's hanging over the edges!" Once the glue is dry, you can use sharp scissors (like manicure scissors) or a sharp utility knife to cut that excess stuff away. 

Step 6. Strip!

Now put glue on the back sides of your strips, and place one around the bottom edge, overlapping any unsightly trimming done on your oval. Place the other strip along the top open edge of the purse. You don't need the top strip, but personally, I think it looks more like a real purse that way. 

At the back edge, trim the excess trim away. Try to keep the overlapping seams on the strips in the same place as the overlapping seam of the purse. Using what's left, glue a strip vertically along the back of the purse, leaving at least a 1/2 inch hanging off the top. This not only covers up the back seam, but also makes the strap for closing your purse. Yes, we are making a real working purse!!! 

Step 7. This is where you get to say bad words.

Maybe someone has a better way to do it, but putting the straps and closures on is always something of a pain. First, you need to decide where you want the straps. If you are using something stiff (like the plastic cord I used here) put them far apart. If you are using embroidery thread, keep the straps close to the center of the purse. Using a needle (with your floss threaded in the eye), or using something pointy, poke holes where you want the straps going into the purse. 

Cut about 4 inches of whatever you are using for the straps (just to make the knots easy to tie). Push the ends of the straps into the holes as shown. Tie off one end and pull it so the knot is flush against the inside of the purse. Pull the other end all the way through (so the outside part of the strap is pulled tight). Then tie the knot on the other end about an inch or so away from the purse. Then pull the slack on the strap back toward the outside, so it looks like a strap. Do the same on the other side. That sounds complicated, but it's easy once you get the feel for it. 

Once your straps are in, it's time to use that one bead! Just sew it near the top edge of the front side of the purse. While that sounds easy, I find I struggle getting the knot on the inside to allow a little slack, but not have the bead dangling all over the place on the outside. When you are done, you want the bead to be loose on the outside, so you can pull it through the strap. 

Again, using your pointy object ,simply poke a hole in the strap that comes over from the back of the purse. Then pull the bead through that hole and, TA-DA, you have a purse!! 

Finishing touches: Squeeze the top opening of the purse to flatten it. You can add fancy trims, like sequins and rhinestones, for a funky Mod look. Try printed fabrics, or coarse fabrics, like the example below using raw silk suiting, to give a woven straw or canvas look. Try using a fabric covered in lace, with patent-look vinyl trim for a fancier bag. Not only is this a really cool looking bag, it's completely functional, perfect for carrying all those other nifty accessories!


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