Patchwork bag

Have a go at …….. creating a hand stitched patchwork purse!
This is a great way of using up all those small or favourite pieces of fabric that you just cannot throw
away. Most fabric stores will let you buy 20cm – 40cm strips of fabric or a patchwork bundle would be a
great idea, should you not have a fabric stash! Regardless of where your fabric comes from make sure
that you have chosen fabric that make your senses tingle!
What you will need:
Collection of fabrics, enough for all the pieces, plus the lining
A stitch in Clip Purse Frame - size is up to you. I used a 12.5cm for the larger purse. (can be purchased online or in most fabric shops from £3.00)
Paper to create a pattern & magazines for cutting your paper patches
Needle, thread and pins
Sharp scissors
Envelopes for storing your pieces
Sewing machine to stitch your purse together (although very small back stitches would suffice if a machine is not available!)
Iron
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Collect all your fabric together. (1) Most clip purse frames come with a pattern; however, the one that I used didn’t, so I had to create my own. Not as scary as it sounds!
Please go to the last page to find simple instructions on how to create a pattern for your purse. (Should your clasp not come with one!)
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Once you have your pattern, now you can decide on what shape patchwork you wish to create. I have used a hexagon, but it could be a square piece. I decided on a 4cm
patchwork piece as I wanted to use as many different pieces of fabric as I could, but also did not want to have a ridiculously small patch. I then marked out how the patchwork
pieces would look on the pattern, (10) giving me a clearer idea of how the pieces would work together, plus how many I would need to create before I started stitching. (I
needed 33 each side!)
I then cut out all my hexagon shaped paper pieces, I use old magazines for this, marking out with a pen and ruler. (4) This makes
cutting far easier. Once they are cut you can now pin your pieces onto your choice of fabric, leaving just under 1cm around each piece
to allow you to turn in your edges. (5) I love this part! I can sit for hours turning in patchwork pieces (I should really get out more!)
see above (6, 7, 8 & 9) on how I do it. Fold over your first edge; make your first stitch, then folding the other edges use a good sized
tacking stitch to hold them in place. They do not have to be beautiful stitches as they need to be easily removable. Once all your
pieces have been created, press them, this gives them a neat workable edge.
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Now stitch together all of your pieces. Place your first two pieces together, (11) right sides together and using a whip stitch, sew over and over until you have reached the end.
Fold out and choose your next piece. I stitch all my pieces around one piece creating a flower, (12) then I go back and stitch down each edge. Then continue to apply each
piece working around in a circle getting larger and larger until I have made the patchwork big enough for my pattern. (13 & 14)
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Once you have stitched all your pieces together you can now remove your tacking stitches and gently peel out the paper pieces. (15 & 16) This is really
satisfying! I also keep all my patchwork papers, they are not really any good for using again, but I pull them onto a length of thread using a needle and
create a hanging piece from them. I have them draped all around my house!
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Now you have removed your paper pieces, give both sides a press. Place your paper pattern over your new fabric and cut to size, also cutting your lining (x 2), plus some form
of interfacing, this can be iron on interfacing or just another piece of fabric that can be stitched in with your lining fabric (again cut 2) (17 & 18) This is not essential but if you
are going to use the purse then this extra piece of interfacing/fabric will give it more strength.
Before machine stitching your lining, mark where your clip frame finishes, taking into account your 1cm seam allowance. I normally mark my lining using a pencil as nobody is
going to see the inside of your purse. (19 & 20)
NOTE: I machine stitch a pattern around the top curve of my lining (any pattern will do!) on the right side of the lining fabric, just within the seam allowance. This is well worth
doing as it will hide any small stitches that will be visible when you are stitching on your frame later. This is the only way I have been able to hide my stitches. If you do not
have a machine then a simple small hand cross stitch would do. It is just a way of hiding stitches. Think about what colour thread to use as it works best if you use the same
colour that you are going to use to stitch your purse frame on with.
IMPORTANT!
When you stitch your sides together remember to check that your right sides are facing
together, the same goes for your lining! Stitch between your markers around the bottom curve
of your purse. Turn the patchwork fabric through so that the right sides are facing outwards,
but leave your lining with the right sides facing inwards. PRESS both lining and outside shell.
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Tack your seams for both the outer shell and the lining running from where the machine stitching starts and stops. I press again, just so that the edges lay flat
(this will make life easier when you are stitching the two together!) (22 & 23)
Insert your lining into the outer patchwork shell and then pin the two together, taking your time to make both sides lay flat. (24 & 25) Now whip stitch small
stitches joining the two together. (26) Remove your taking stitches (I press again, but I am a little obsessed with pressing!!)
Now this bit can take time so patience is required!
Make sure you have your needle and thread ready, I use a good machine thread and double it up so it is nice and
strong. Insert your stitched shell into the edge of the purse, making sure that it is equally balanced either side. Secure
your first stitch from the back of your purse through the first hole and then over the side nearest to the hinge. (27) I
do a couple of stitches. Now (and this is the bit where you need patience!) you have to feel for the next stitching hole,
(and by that I mean take pot luck! Your needle will eventually pop through the hole but you will need to move it
about a bit!) Allowing your needle to come through the material up through the edge of the clasp, pull gently until all
the thread is through then back stitch into the first hole. Now do this all the way along the first edge. This is where
you will see why I machine stitch a pattern first as it will hide your stitches on the inside! (Especially if you use the
same coloured thread!)
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NOTE – do not panic if your thread should snap. If it snaps while your thread is on the
outside of the shell then simply undo one stitch so the thread is on the inside, then tuck
the end under the edge of the frame and simply start stitching again from that point! (28)
When you reach the end, secure the stitching with a few good over and over stitches.
Now do the same on the other side. It is a bit fiddly but well worth it!
Embellish with a button or ribbon if you wish and you have finished!
If this project just gets all too complicated, please do not give up and never finish it! Turn
it into a pincushion, it will not be a purse but it will be very lovely finished piece!
Please see patchwork pincushion if this appeals to you!
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Look in the craft projects on the Moodle for this simple pincushion
project!
© Clare Spender
How to make a simple pattern for your purse
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Draw around your frame onto a sheet of paper (1)
Find the middle of your clasp and using a ruler draw a long line vertically (2)
Turn your ruler and draw a line horizontally from one end of the clasp to another (3)
Now mark 2cm below your last drawn line(4) and score across with your pencil. (5) Join where the ends of your clasp fall to your newly drawn line. (6)
Mark outwards 2cm and draw a line creating two triangles. (7) This will allow your purse hinge to open easily when you have stitched it in.
Now it is up to you what shape you make your purse, I normally just follow the line around and create a bowl shape, it seems to work well. (8) But you could experiment with
different shapes! Cut out your pattern and you are ready!
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