SewAlong: New style placemat purse

For this one, I didn't want to have to handstitch and I wanted my design centered, so I changed the sewing a bit.

Finished product:

http://www.araspants.com/images/july14-1.jpg

First, fold your placemat so the side seams overlap 1/4" in the center.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpfold.jpg

Sew down this seam. You will have to do it in steps since the opening isn't wide enough for your sewing machine arm. The steps I did were:
starting at the top going as far as I could manage

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpcenter.jpg

Then starting at 2/3 way down going back towards the seam I just ended:

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpcenter1.jpg

I had to pull the purse inside out for that seam.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpcenter1-1.jpg

Then turn the bag around and start at the middle seam and sew towards the end.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpcenter2.jpg

Then iron (because it will be a wrinkled mess) and fold the bottom and top to make the purse.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpfoldpockets.jpg

I added magnetic snap closures next. You can do any closure you want though (or no closure).

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpmagnetic.jpg

I wanted a chinese coin embellishment on the front, so I added that next.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpembellish.jpg

Next, you add the straps. I used cording. To keep from fraying, I taped where I was going to cut an then snipped in the middle of the tape.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmptape.jpg

I then pinned it so it would lay between the layers.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpstrappin2.jpg

I pinned it to the inside pocket so the stitching would not show on the outside of the purse.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpstrappin.jpg

Next I zig zagged the strap in, to make sure it was extra secure.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpstrap.jpg

Then stitch up both side seams, going back and forth over the strap a few times.

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpsideseam1.jpg

http://www.araspants.com/images/pmpsideseam.jpg

That is it! Your 20 minute purse is done.

cool! I like the idea of the seam being in the center, rather than to one side.

Lovely! Us sewing mamas seem to end up with a ton of purses/totes/bags, LOL. :D

Great bag, thanks for sharing the directions!

Can you guys believe I haven't ever made a purse or bag? I did make a little jean pocket something or other once, but I don't really count that.

How big is a place mat? I don't have any but would like to make one of these to go with my kitchen towel outfit for ebay.

Great job Allison, I really love the placemat you chose as well! I need to hit up TJ Maxx.

Do you guys have a TJ Maxx there? If we move there, of course I am now wondering if you have certain things LOL

Thats awesome Allison! Thanks for the sew-along :)

Thanks everyone :)

Yes, we have TJ Maxx and Ross and Tuesday Morning. So don't let discount shopping keep you away.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by arasmama

Thanks everyone :)

Yes, we have TJ Maxx and Ross and Tuesday Morning. So don't let discount shopping keep you away.

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I love Tuesday Morning! I have never been to a Ross.

OH, thanks Allison. That's a handy bag pattern. You know, I never had so many bags before I was a sewing board member. Now, they are coming out of my ears. And of course, Hadyn has more than her share too! LOL

I made two! I have got to start taking pictures LOL

Adorable!

I'm NOT going to show this to Morgan. I'd be drowning in bags, well that or either she'd be wanting her own website to sell them or something. LOL I'm fairly certain she's got the sewing/stashing gene. :lol:

I need to make Madi one of these.

cool! now I don't have to buy Threads (or do I?).

those are soooooo cool! I love your placemat picks...great fabric and designs. 8)

Wow, that is so CUTE! I love the placemat selection, love the Chinese coin... Just adorable! Thanks for doing the sewalong.

While I was listening to the radio last night, I was folding and refolding a placemat to get the seam in the middle. I should have looked here first!

That is really really pretty Allison! When do you have time???

Great bag! Thanks for the sew-along. :)

Awesome purse!


[smilie=doh[1].gif] I should have gotten online earlier today... I wouldn't have needed to go buy a copy of Threads today. :lol: :lol: Well at least there are a couple of other interesting articles that I wanted to read too. :)

As hard as I try not to answer your posts :lol: I had to say that the purse is lovely, and I love the sew-a-long. Thank *you* so much for your hospitality last week. It means more than I can say. It's interesting how much objectivity can gain from 15 years away from a parent. The kids and I loved spending time with you and the girls. I'll try to get your fabric in the mail ASAP. Today is my recovery day at home...

Thanks Allison! I really like that!

And the whole 20 minutes thing (well, an hour for me) is great too...I just made my first bag (lined with handles and inner pockets) and it's given me a lot of respect for the bag making mamas...holy cow was it a lot of piddly work.