quilted purses

[Sad Eyed Lady]

I am not very good at sewing, but can do a few fairly simple things. I would love to be able to make a quilted purse, preferably using quilted place mats. A few inside pockets, maybe one outside for sunglasses, a couple of straps and that's it. Does anyone know of a website that has simple patterns for something like this?

[Mrs-M]

Hi Shalom! :) I visited one of my favourite sites- Etsy, and found a few pictures of some really pretty quilted purses for you. If it were me, I don't think I'd work from a pattern. I'd take a few measurments of some purses you like and work from that. Even if you were to estimate measurements as to how big you wanted your purse to be you, you could layout a design (from hand) and start it from there.

http://tinyurl.com/4q7d2wx

http://tinyurl.com/4mnmd2u

http://tinyurl.com/4jg9tkj

[Gina]

I'm afraid I can't be very helpful - I am sewing challenged. But I just did a google image search for 'quilted purses' and there certainly are a lot of them out there. Some look like a lot of fun.

[Sad Eyed Lady]

Mrs-M I like your idea very much. I think I will just make it up from some I look at. And Gina, you're right, there are some very good examples on websites out there. Now finding the place mats that I like and at a reasonable price. Humm,m,m,m,m, the search begins.

[Mrs-M]

Hi Shalom. In your travels do check on quilted fabric too. You may find buying a yard of quality quilted fabric runs cheaper than say four or five place-mats. One thing I wanted to throw your way is, when it comes to designing and laying out the bottom of your purse/bag, play around a little with a plain rectangle design (base/bottom) as well as an oblong (egg-shaped design). With the egg-shaped designed bottom the outer ends (walls) of your purse/bag will taper in slightly giving the bag a very sleek and European modern look! :) I wish we lived close to one another so we could work on it together!

[Mrs-M]

Also, to add a sense of richness and elegance to the purse/bag (if you so desire), you could incorporate a contrasting piping material around the bottom (edge seam area) and the top of the purse/bag (top edge seam area). I think it would smooth the overall shape and design and lend a sense of class to the bag- over and above simple stitched seam areas. Just a little something for you to think about. :)

[Sad Eyed Lady]

Hi Shalom. In your travels do check on quilted fabric too. You may find buying a yard of quality quilted fabric runs cheaper than say four or five place-mats. One thing I wanted to throw your way is, when it comes to designing and laying out the bottom of your purse/bag, play around a little with a plain rectangle design (base/bottom) as well as an oblong (egg-shaped design). With the egg-shaped designed bottom the outer ends (walls) of your purse/bag will taper in slightly giving the bag a very sleek and European modern look! :) I wish we lived close to one another so we could work on it together!
Come on Mrs-M! I have a house for sale 3 blocks from me. We could be neighbors and work on my purse together and have fun and drink tea and talk about books we've read and........................

[Mrs-M]

Originally posted by Shalom_Poet.
Come on Mrs-M! I have a house for sale 3 blocks from me. We could be neighbors and work on my purse together and have fun and drink tea and talk about books we've read and........................How nice that would be! :) I've done a little legwork for you and came up with a superb site with fantastic looking purses/bags too! Let me know what you think Shalom. (Click on the fifth highlighted blue box, left-hand side of screen, purses and bag patterns).

http://www.sidsinstitches.com/

[Mrs-M]

The Joey Purse is darling!

[Sad Eyed Lady]

How nice that would be! :) I've done a little legwork for you and came up with a superb site with fantastic looking purses/bags too! Let me know what you think Shalom. (Click on the fifth highlighted blue box, left-hand side of screen, purses and bag patterns).

http://www.sidsinstitches.com/

Thanks Mrs-M, that is a great website. I will have to look more carefully at it later as I am on the way to work this morning. I appreciate your help and can't wait to get started on my purse. I will have to make a shopping trip to a nearby town to get material or placemats before I can begin. Have a great day!

[Mrs-M]

You have a great day too Shalom! :) P.S. Feel free to ring my ear on anything else related to the project. I love sewing and brainstorming new and fresh ideas.

[Nella]

There are all kinds of Amy Butler purse patterns. Just google "Amy Butler Purse pattern" and you'll get tons of links. These are very popular and woman of all ages are coming into the quilt shop where I work to buy fabric for them.

[Mrs-M]

Nella. The Amy Butler Purse Pattern sites are incredible!!!

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/patterns_display.php?id=2#

I am in love with the Madison Bags!

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/patterns_top.php

So many great styled purses and bags on the home page!

[Selah]

I am NOT someone who knows how to sew, but my dear friend sews like anything, and spent quite a few months focusing on making lovely cloth purses. She used gorgeous upholstery fabric, which made the bags very durable, elegant, and affordable to make...she got the fabric as remnants very cheaply. Have fun!

[JaneV2.0]

I have been thinking about a fabric bag for summer, after seeing some by Vera Bradley--love the Deco Daisy:
http://www.verabradley.com/category/Color/Deco%20Daisy/805/pc/639.uts

I like the Amy Butler styles, too--thanks for the link! I have fabric, if not much sewing skill...

[Sad Eyed Lady]

I haven't given up on this project, just haven't found the material yet and have been somewhat distracted from my original fervor! I shall do it yet!

[Mrs-M]

I haven't forgot about you Shalom! :) I've been quietly wondering how you've been making out but good things take time. One thing is for sure, I feel better than ever about you turning something extraordinaire out now courtesy of all the ideas. (One day at a time).