This article was reviewed by Shaelynn Haning. Shaelynn Haning is a Tailor & Business Owner based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shaelynn is the founder of the highest-rated and most-reviewed alterations and tailoring service in Oklahoma, Tallgrass Tailor, employing a team of skilled craftsmen and women from across the country and the world. Shaelynn is a member of the State of Oklahoma Education Careers and Technologies Board and a member of both the Custom Tailors and Designers Association and the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She is the host of The Sew Show with Shae, an entertaining and educational sewing channel posting weekly videos on YouTube. Shaelynn earned her BS in Apparel Design and Product Development from Marist College.
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If you're interested in sewing and design or even just creativity, then this is the right rainy day activity for you!
Steps
- Cut out four square pieces of fabric the exact same size. Make sure that if you are making a small messenger bag that it's around 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length and 10 inches (25.4 cm) in width.
- Two pieces are for your lining, and 2 pieces are for the outside of the bag. If you want extra body try using a fusible product such as craft fuse, décor bond or form-flex. This gets fused with an iron to the inside of the outer fabric pieces before you sew it.Advertisement
- Sew the side seams with a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) seam.
- Sew the bottom with a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) seam.
- If you want you can box the bottom by measuring up 2 inches (5.1 cm) and creating a triangle measure in 2 inches (5.1 cm) sew across the diagonal.
- Do this to both the lining and the outer bag.
- To sew the bag and the lining together turn the outer bag right side out. keep the lining right side in. place the outer bag into the lining and sew a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) seam around the top of the bag to secure the two pieces together. at the bottom of the lining open the bottom of the seam about 4 inches (10.2 cm) so that you can birth the outer bag through the lining opening.
- Sew the lining back up by top-stitching the opening closed
- Cut 2 handles at least 2 1/2 inches (5.1 cm) wide by however long you want your strap. For a handbag you can cut the handles 2 1/2 x 21 inches or if you want it to cross your body at least 2 1/2 x 40 inches.
- Sew handles right sides together using a 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) seam down the length of the fabric.
- Fold in the top and the bottom and top-stitch 1/8 around the handles and the bag.
- Attach to the purse by measuring 2 1/4 inches (10.2 cm) down and 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the side. this is where you mark to add your straps.
- Sew a box around the handle edges and then sew an x across to really secure the straps.
- Enjoy you bag!
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
Warnings
- Always use sharp scissors and good pins.Thanks
- Make sure your tetanus is up to date.Thanks
- Sewing can be an addictive and sometimes expensive hobby.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Fabric 1⁄2 yard (0.5 m)
- Lining 1⁄2 yard (0.5 m)
- Pins
- Scissors
- Machine in good working order
Expert Interview
![](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/c6/WikiHow-Expert-Interview-Transcript-Jae-Mee-Kim_sample.png/340px-WikiHow-Expert-Interview-Transcript-Jae-Mee-Kim_sample.png)
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about sewing and tailoring, check out our in-depth interview with Jae Mee Kim.
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