https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/how-to-make-a-cute-belt-purse-with-an-old-jean-skirt • Posted by moonofsilver
So, I ride a bike to work and back about every other day. (The other days I am lazy and ride the bus...or it is raining and I beg my boyfriend for a ride...<_<) And as I'm going to work, I don't want to bring a huge book-bag just to carry my keys, small coin purse, and GRE study cards. Anything that can't fit discreetly in my work apron has to go into the cubby-hole area. This cubby hole area is prey to any body or any thing who might just happen by and claim my stashed items. I usually can fit everything in my work apron, but this gets cumbersome at times when I am moving around, or when food particles fall into my apron and mix with my keys and things (ewww). I want to make a small container that I can slide onto my belt for when I am riding my bike. Henceforth this tutorial came about. I was inspired by many pictures, (I googled "fanny pack") and found all these very cool looking items that I am sadly unable to purchase.
So, I ride a bike to work and back about every other day. (The other days I am lazy and ride the bus...or it is raining and I beg my boyfriend for a ride...<_<) And as I'm going to work, I don't want to bring a huge book-bag just to carry my keys, small coin purse, and GRE study cards. Anything that can't fit discreetly in my work apron has to go into the cubby-hole area. This cubby hole area is prey to any body or any thing who might just happen by and claim my stashed items. I usually can fit everything in my work apron, but this gets cumbersome at times when I am moving around, or when food particles fall into my apron and mix with my keys and things (ewww). I want to make a small container that I can slide onto my belt for when I am riding my bike. Henceforth this tutorial came about. I was inspired by many pictures, (I googled "fanny pack") and found all these very cool looking items that I am sadly unable to purchase.
Find an old skirt, shirt, jacket, something that has at least medium thickness and seems rather sturdy. I chose an old jean skirt I don't wear anymore. Also, find some fabric (about a fat quarter should do) for the lining, and a zipper for the top.
determine the size of your pouch. Mine is going to be small. Lay your skirt out, and double your fat quarter one top. (same as above picture)
Use a pen, pencil, or fabric maker, to draw a circle/square/rectangle-thing about the size you want your pouch to be.
Then cut this out, cutting through all four layers of fabric at once (right sides together) to ensure its all the same. You should now have four pieces of fabric.
Fold your pieces in half (right sides still together) and double check to make sure your pieces are symmetrical. Mine were not, so I did a bit of trimming.
Add any pockets to the inside of your bag before you sew it together. I added a pockets with a straight stitch. I made this entire bag with that stitch. (I don't know if this was the correct way, but it's what I used)
Step 6: Embellish the front of your purse! Lace, applique, zigzag, or embroider it! Or, add ruffles! Mine looked like this when I was done:
I decided not to make a belt for mine, but to put three loops on the back so that it can be worn with a belt, on a belt. You want these loops as close to the top of your purse as you can, so the purse does not "droop" when you put it on the belt. You don't have to sew on top of the "loop" like I did, just wanted to try something different. To make a loop, cut as many rectangles as loops you want. I used three. make them bigger then they will be, since we have to fold.
then sew, right sides inside together
Turn ride sides outside. they should look like this.
Pin them on. It's really important to make sure they line up on top, since the weight of your bag will rest here. I used a ruler and a fabric marker to draw a line.
Now you are ready to sew. Once again, I used a straight stitch.
Sew lining together, right sides inside. Flip.
Sew outside of bag together, right sides inside. (I had lots of fluffy edges, lol)
put lining in bag. Now we are going to take care of the rough edges of the top of the bag.
Then cut two strips. make them thick, because we are going to fold them!
fold each strip once, press, twice, press. you may need more then to strips if your purse is large. just like seam bindings, if you know what that is. We are going to fold this around the seam to hide the raw edges.
and then fold around the top of your bag. Pin in place. Both raw edges should be tucked into this strip.
sew this on.
So...I must confess I have no idea how or when to apply the zipper, so I did it last. I basically just pinned it on, put my zipper foot on and went at it...it's not like I could follow the directions on the zipper package, having no way to get into the bag. It turned out okay, you can't tell the difference from the outside =)
wear! =) this is me in my work uniform about to head out for my bike ride =)