Corduroy Circular Purse

About

You Will Need (7 things)

Steps (16 steps, 120 minutes)

1. 1

   Now we begin with cutting the fabric.
   Cut 2 from main fabric,2 from lining,2 from interfacing of the main pattern.I have cut the fabric 19" wide & 16" long.Cut the shape on the fold.It will be much easier & of course symmetrical too!You can cut it smaller if you want a smaller shoulder bag.
   I am cutting only 2 from interfacing as I don't want to spoil the lovely velvety feel of the corduroy by making it stiff with interfacing.If you are using a regular fabric,cut 4 from interface to fuse with lining as well as main fabric.I am sorry that I don't have a template for this but its is pretty simple to cut free hand too!!
   2 strips from the decorative fabric - 3.5" by 20"
   1 strip from the corduroy for button loop - 2" by 7"
   I will explain the strap after the main body of the purse is done

2. 2

   ...

3. 3

   I have this lovely printed fabric with BIIIIIG holes in it which set off the red of the corduroy perfectly.I cut 2 pieces 3.5" by 20" from this fabric.You can skip this step if you do not want it.This is how all the cut pieces look.

4. 4

   Sew the strips in the center of the two main pieces horizontally.You can play around with the placing of the strips here.Do it as per your imagination.This is how the two pieces look

5. 5

   Now its time to sew the outer pieces together.Keep one piece on another right sides facing together.Pin the corners so they don't move & sew with 1/2" seam allowance. Turn right side out & iron.

6. 6

   Now its time to make the base by gusseting.Fold the purse into half. From the center line draw two dart marks at 5.5" & 6.5".Mark a point 2" up from the dart marks & draw straight lines at an angle of 45 degrees..This will make it clearer

7. 7

   Repeat this on both the sides from the center mark like this

8. 8

   Now move on to actually sewing the darts.Fold the fabric on the darts in such a way that the seams are joined ,pin it securely,extend the dart to the other side of the seam & sew it.Remember to back stitch it on both the ends.Repeat with the other dart too.

9. 9

   This is how the base looks after gusseting,it makes the purse really roomy:)

10. 10

    LINING - fuse the interfacing on the wrong side of the lining & keep aside .
    Now we move on to making the pockets.Cut 1 piece from main fabric & 1 piece from lining - 17" by 7"
    Put both the pieces right side facing each other.Sew three sides.Turn it right side out & sew the fourth side shut.Top stitch on all four sides for a neater look.I really do not like flat pockets.This is how to make 3D pockets.
    I have also added a pen slip.Just cut a rectangular strip of 6.5" & 2.5" from the main fabric & the lining each.Sew them together & sew it like the pic below on one of the pockets.
    Sew the pockets on one piece of the lining piece

11. 11

    eep the two pieces right sides facing each other &sew the sides keeping around 6" unsewn on one side.Also do the gusseting as you did for the outer pieces.
    To make the button loop, fold the 2" x 7" rectangle in half lengthwise - this will make a 1" x 7" rectangle. Press and then unfold so that you can see the crease down the center of the piece. Fold the outside edges to the center crease and press. You should now have a 1" x 7" piece. Fold in half and press again.
    The piece should now measure 1/2" x 7". Pin a safety pin to the 5” piece of elastic, and insert it through the small ½” x 7” strap, making sure the elastic sticks out of both ends of the strap.
    Sew or pin the ends to keep the elastic from going back into the strap.Match both end of the small strap with the center mark at the top of the back of the exterior, so it forms a loop. The edges of the loop should align with the top edge of the exterior and stick out towards the bottom of the bag. Make sure the loop is not twisted.Sew to the exterior ¼” from the top edge.

12. 12

    On the front side of the bag, securely sew the button at the center, 2 ¼” down from the top.
    STRAP-I wanted to make the strap in decorative fabric so I cut 2 pieces in the decorative fabric,and 1 in the lining fabric because of the big holes.You can cut 2 pieces ,if you want it to be stiff cut 2 pieces of interface too.The starp here is 29" long for it to be cross shoulder.You can make it shorter if you have a shoulder bag.
    Keep them with right sides facing together & sew 1 side & half of the other side.Turn it around & sew shut the remaining opening.Top stitch all over to give a neat look

13. 13

    With right sides together, pin exterior handle to the outside of the purse and sew both long sides together, using a ½” seam allowance .Repeat with the other end of the handle .Don't top stitch it!!

14. 14

    I am now ready to sew the lining and exterior together!!!!!!!!!
    Phew.................finally.
    Put the outer purse inside the lining fabric carefully.Remember to line the pockets side with the side of your exterior bag which has the button loop.I didn't:( The handles will be between the 2 layers inside .Match side seams & pin .

15. 15

    Sew all around the top joining the exterior & interior.Cut any excess fabric.Using the opening left in the lining ,turn the bag right side out.Sew the gap in the lining shut.Top stitch if you want.

16. 16

    And TaDaaaaaaaaaaaa..............the white patches are from the chalk on my hands:(
    One of my friends has already claimed this as a gift so I couldn't take more pictures.............but I am happy with how it turned out:)