Cherry Valley Designs: Life's A Charm May: Sew Simple Purse

For the longest time I was terrified of making a purse/bag. I just couldn't bring myself to take the plunge and when I finally did I thought, "Wow! What's the big deal?!?" Since then I have even designed my own bag for our book Everything but Baby and today I'm sharing a purse you can put together using, of course, a charm pack! It comes together so quickly (as in, this morning!!! ... yes, that is why the post is going up a little late).

What You'll Need:

- A regular size (5" squares) charm pack
- 3/4 yard of contrasting fabric
- 18" x 58" Bosal Fusible Foam Interfacing (LOVE this stuff!)
- 2 Sew-in Snaps

Step 1: Cut 3 charm squares in quarters and 10 charm squares in half. Then lay your squares out in the order that you want to create the front, back and front pocket of your purse.

You will need two sets that look like this:

AND

One set that looks like this:

For example, this is what my back looked like when I tested my pieces before sewing:

Step 2: Next, sew your 3 panels together going across to form rows and then sew the rows together.

Step 3: After your 3 panels are sewn together, you will want to cut out your contrasting color and Bosal fusible foam. You will need 1 piece of contrasting color fabric that is 10" by 19" and 2 pieces that are 12" by 19". From the Bosal fusible foam, cut 1 piece that is 9 1/2" by 18" and 2 pieces that are 11" by 18".

Step 4: Put your contrasting color fabric that is 10" by 19" right sides together with your pocket charm piece, lining up the top of the two pieces and sew a 1/2" straight line down. Then, flip your contrasting color fabric over so your pieces are wrong sides together. Iron the contrasting color down to create a fold over and sew a straight line down in the ditch to secure your "border."

Step 5: Slide your fusible foam in between the outer pieces of your pocket and press down to fuse. Next, make a sandwich with the front and back of your purse pieces with your pieced charm pack wrong side to the fusible foam and the contrasting color wrong side together to the other side of your fusible foam. Press down to fuse.

Step 6: Next, fold the top two pieces of your pieced charm pack and contrasting color inwards towards one another. Use a pin to secure and sew 1/4" seam allowance to create a finished edge around your purse. Repeat for the back.

Step 7: Sew down the front pocket to the front of the purse all the way around the edge with the base your pocket lined up with the base of your front.

Step 8: Put your front and back right sides together and sew a 1/2" seam allowance down each side, but not the bottom!

Step 9: Finally, push your sides in about 1 1/2" on each side and sew the bottom (this will be very thick so make sure to go slowly). Turn right side out and push your puckers out on the bottom. Finish by adding your handle and voila, you have a new purse! Enjoy!