How to sew a Purse – 2 Easy sewing tutorials

Updated on May 12, 2022 by Sarina

Imagine carrying a purse that matches your outfit. Or better, imagine having a lot of purses that match all your dresses. That too, each of them made so fast that you could only have missed one episode of your favorite web-series. 

This one is as easy as that – just buy the best interfacing which will hold shape and that matching fabric I told you about and a magnetic stud  and you are ready to sew this easy peasy purse.

How to sew an easy Purse – Method 1

Step 1 

Cut out the fabric pieces – you need 2 pieces for the flap ( one outer fabric and one lining), 2 pieces for the front and back (Outer fabric) and 2 pieces for the lining. ( I used a silk fabric for the lining  but cotton lining is better as it adheres better to interfacing); And matching interfacing pieces for all these

Cut out flap as per this diagram – 2 pieces for the flap ( one outer fabric and one lining)

Cut out the purse body pieces as per this diagram – 2 pieces for the front and back (Outer fabric) and 2 pieces for the lining.

The dimensions will correspond to.

Length
G-H = 6.5″
Width
C-D = 8.75″
A-B = 10.75″
E-H = 8″

Attach the interfacing to the cut fabric.  I didn’t attach interfacing to the outer purse pieces and lives to regret it. You can use a sew-in interfacing to the outer pieces or use a fusible one. I prefer the sew in for the outer pieces and fusible for the lining. Attach the fusible interfacing with pressing

Interfacing is a most important thing in bag/purse making – determines much about how your purse will look eventually.

Related post : How to attach fusible interfacing; Different types of interfacings.

Step 2 

Cut out the dart for all the 4 pieces of purse body. You need the dart on either side of all the pieces, so to make it symmetrical, fold and mark and then cut.

Step 3 

Make the embellishments on the flap piece.

If you are doing an embroidery design, you will have to do this before the fabric is cut after it is marked – otherwise because the fabric piece is small you will have the fabric fraying; you will not able to hoop etc. Lots of trouble. Anticipate and avoid all these.

To neatly arrange the rhinestones I cut out a stencil from an interfacing piece. Just mark some hearts freehand, then fold each and cut with scissors so that they are symmetrical in shape

I applied a glitter paint (fabric paint which sparkles) inside the shapes instead of glue and then arranged rhinestones on top all the while keeping the stencil still on the fabric. The glitter paint acted as a strong glue and gave sparkle on areas where the paint was not on. It is beautiful this way.

So now I have these pieces cut out for sewing the purse. The small one was for a pocket I intended to attach but did not.

For the pocket, you can cut out a 10 inch by 5 inch piece, fold by half and turn the side edges to the inside and stitch in place on all 3 edges – easy patch pocket inside the purse for the change

Step 4 

Sew the Dart. Just keep it together (rightsides together) and sew with a 1/8 inch seam allowance

Open up the seam allowance. Make a slit at the top of the dart till the stitching line to fully open the seam allowance. Be careful while doing this, you may cut open the stitching

Step 5 

Keep the Lining pieces rightsides together and sew along the edge. (red line indicates stitching line) Leave 2 to 3 inches open at the bottom edge unstitched. 

Do the same with the outer purse pieces as well- here you should stitch all along the edge. You will now have two purse body – one outer purse and one inner

Step 6

Prepare the flap

You need to attach the magnetic snap ( magnetic snap has two pieces – the the protruding portion is used for the flap) towards the rightside of the lining piece of the flap.

Remember to keep a piece of interfacing or felt on the back as you attach the magnetic snap – otherwise one or two pulls and your fabric will start to pinch and self destroy.

Sew the flap outer piece and flap lining along the curved edge,rightsides together. 

Remember to clip the seam allowance all along, or atleast along the curves (this aids in turning the purse smoothly)

Then turn it rightside out.

Press the flap nicely.

Step 7 

Attach the flap piece to the bag outerpiece backside top edge ( where the flap should be attached). Just sew it together.

Do not bother that you can see the seam and all, as you open the purse. It will all disappear out of sight as you attach the lining later.

Step 8 

Attach the snap -second piece of the pair, on the front part of your purse (outer). Position it correctly by placing the top snap piece and mark. Make small indentations, make cuts with your seam ripper and attach the snap

Step 9 

Keep the outer bag (which is rightside out) inside the lining bag (rightside 

Sew along the top edge joining the two bags together. Sew the whole edge. Trim seam allowance. 

Turn the purse rightside out through the unstitched hole in the lining bag. It is a little messy, depending on the thickness of the interfacing you used – the whole ugly underbelly of the unfinished purse is exposed in this photo but what emerges is your finished purse.

Step 10

Now You have to close the hole with a few hand stitches. or just take the lining bag out of the purse and stitch the gap closed with a few sewing stitches.

I could have added a pocket inside, even made it one with a zip closure – but I hate complicating things. When I am about to make a dozen of these, the less work, more I can make. And now I am ready to go out. 

DIY Fold over style Purse (the easiest way) – Method 2

Related posts: More sewing tutorials for sewing bags; How to sew phone pouches; Make a fold over clutch purse; How to sew a phone purse.