Introducing the quick-and-easy Purse Pouch! It's a way to keep your things organized within a larger bag, or this cute little satchel could even be used as a fancy gift bag for a special friend. My daughter likes to use them as little purses, and she just loops the drawstring ribbons over her wrist to carry it around. Whatever you choose to use it for, it's a fun and useful way to use extra fabric scraps.
To start, you'll need 2 coordinating fabrics, a bit of 1" or wider ribbon, and about a yard of narrow ribbon.
The bags can be made any size or proportion, just be sure to take into account the seam allowances and the "ruffle" area at top of bag. The important thing to remember is to cut the lining and the outer fabric to the exact same size, so they'll fit together nicely.
1) In this example, I cut 2 rectangles measuring 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" out of each fabric (so 4 rectangles total).
2) Placing the fabrics right sides together (ie. red facing red, blue facing blue), sew around bottom and both sides of the two separate bags using a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave the top open.
3) If you don't want pointy corners in the bottom of the bag, you can do the following OPTIONAL steps to square off the corners:
At one of the corners, take the front and back of bag and pull apart, flattening the fabric into a triangle and making sure the seam is in the exact center of the triangle, as seen in photo at left.
4) Stitch a line perpendicular to original seam, backstitching at beginning and end of the new line of stitching.
Repeat procedure on other three corners of the bags, so they are all stitched the same way and the same distance from the tips of the triangular pointy corners.
5) Now you will have two separate bags with squared-off corners. Decide which bag will be on the outside, and turn that bag right side out.
Leave the liner bag inside out as shown.
6) Slip the liner bag over the bag that will be on the outside when completed (in this case, slip the red liner bag over the blue bag). Make sure that the right sides of the fabrics are facing eachother.
Pin bags together at side seams.
7) Stitch liner and outer bags together all along top edge.
8) Using a seam ripper, rip out about 1 1/2" of bottom seam of the liner (red) fabric. You could also just leave a gap in the original seam, but this is just as easy for me.
Sticking your fingers into the hole, gently pull the outer (blue) fabric out so that it is right side out, and so is the red liner.
9) Close the hole in the liner by either slipstitching it by hand or sewing it closed with a machine, making sure the seam is very close to edge.
10) Tuck liner inside the (blue) bag. The edge where the two fabrics meet won't be very cleanly defined, so you'll need to press it carefully at the top seam, so it will end up looking like this:
11) Position the bag under the sewing machine presserfoot. Turn under about 3/8" of the ribbon end, and place it at the side seam of the bag about 2" below top edge of bag.
Make sure that the raw end of the ribbon is tucked exactly beneath the top of the ribbon, so none of the raw edge will be seen from the top.
Stitch the top edge of the ribbon, taking care to make sure the distance between the ribbon and the top of the bag is equal.
Stop stitching before you get the the other side seam.
12) Cut the ribbon off about 3/8" beyond the side seam.
13) Turn end of ribbon under so that it aligns with side seam. Stitch to end of ribbon.
14) Using the same methods, attach the ribbon to the second side of bag the same way. Backstitch over ribbons at each side seam for extra reinforcement.
15) Repeat stitching for bottom edge of ribbon. You will now essentially have a decorative and functional casing that is open at both side seams.
16) Attach a safety pin to the end of the narrow ribbon and draw it through, all the way around the bag. Don't pull it through the opening opposite the entry point - make the ribbon come full circle, as seen below:
17) Leave desired amount of ribbon trailing out of casing. Tie off to create a loop; trim ribbon ends and treat with Stop-Fray or heat seal with open flame.
18) Now, starting at opposite end of the casing, repeat procedure with safety pin and ribbon. You will now have 2 separate ribbon loops, each with their own entrance point in casing.
Simply pull on the ribbons to tighten, and your bag is finished!
Very cool - I think I woulf like to try to make it bigger so I can use it like a bagpack - sort of. Will see if I will succeed. :)
Posted by: Chimge | September 16, 2008 at 04:14 AM
Just what I have been looking for! Anne wanted a matching purse to go with her Oliva skirt. Very cute idea.
Posted by: Joy Turner | September 16, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Thanks, Shelley!
Posted by: EdithSonger | September 16, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I like how you used the ribbon for the casing, what a nice touch!
Posted by: Donna | September 24, 2008 at 05:42 AM
This is *wonderful*! Thanks so much for sharing : )
Posted by: Courtney | September 24, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Make them longer and you'll have some awesome shoe bags.
Posted by: mary_b | September 24, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Great post! Thanks for this idea.
And I have to say... I'm in love with your playlist! Harry Connick Jr.... ohhhh myyy. I love.
Posted by: Mrs. Priss | September 24, 2008 at 10:57 AM
This is darling! I'm so glad to have discovered your blog, what a wealth of creativity! I'll be linking to this project in the Daily DIY, not to mention adding you so I don't miss a thing!
Posted by: Rachel | September 25, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Wow that is such an easy way to make a casing, just tried it out on a bag to hold the game tiles from Rummy, and it works like a treat. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Larissa | October 06, 2008 at 12:33 AM
I just found your website and made a couple of these today for Christmas. So cute! I plan to make a lot more. Thank you!
Sheryl
Posted by: Sheryl Cooper | October 15, 2008 at 08:12 PM
I just stumbled onto your blog while searching for instructions to sew a pouch. I love the fabrics that you have used in this purse pouch - the combination is perfect! Could you share the source of these fabrics? ;) And where do you usually get those gorgeous fabrics for your other projects?
Posted by: Gillian | June 09, 2009 at 03:49 AM
Great idea!
I will make some for this coming xmas as a gift bag. Thank you so much for this brilliant tutorial :)
Posted by: Lilis | October 06, 2009 at 05:02 PM
I"ve been looking for new knitting bag and this is just the ticket! I've looked at some on Etsy, but they are pretty pricey. I"m not much of a sewer - really only patches on jeans. I'm thinking that if I rip out a bigger area, I can then slip in a peice of heavy platic or other stiff material so that it can stand on it's own. I'd also liek to add grommets so that my yarn can feed out without the bag being open. GOnna have to try this out! Thanks so much for the pattern idea!
Posted by: Sarah | December 26, 2009 at 04:32 PM
thanks for the idea im only ten and planning on getting my first sewing machine since my grandma is an expert sewer!
Posted by: kacie | December 31, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Your blog is so very beautiful, helpful! It is superb!
Thank-you!
Posted by: liz love | June 15, 2010 at 11:36 PM
wooo~,beautiful bag~ Thank share
Posted by: louis | July 28, 2010 at 03:28 AM
Hi,
I have just followed your tutorial, you made each step very clear and easy to follow, thank you.
Posted by: claire @ madefor 3 | August 14, 2010 at 04:44 AM
I made this pouch in white satin, with black embroidery for a friend who was getting married. She loved it. Thanks for the tute x
Posted by: Tracey | September 17, 2010 at 11:23 AM
I just made one! It looks so sweet. I made it to hold a heating pad I also made. Thanks for the tutorial. Off to make your apron too!
Posted by: Amy | November 15, 2010 at 01:13 PM
I LOVE THE SIMPLICITY OF THE BAG..IT IS REALLY NICE..I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Peaches | February 16, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Thank you for the lovely bag tuturial!! I will few of them.
Posted by: Eijanpostit | March 26, 2011 at 01:20 AM
Came across this tutorial when I googled DIY drawstring pouch. Thank you so much! It's awesome....I just made two for my girls.
Posted by: Beth Plummer | April 22, 2011 at 01:12 PM
Thanks for the tutorial! I love the bag.
Posted by: Purse Party | May 01, 2011 at 03:50 AM
What a cool and simple bag. I have to make 30 bags for a birthday party! Thanks for such an easy to follow tutorial!
Posted by: M Manuel | May 21, 2011 at 03:41 PM
I love this little pouch! I am a novice in sewing, and would like to start with this. May I know if it is necessary to wash the fabric first?
Posted by: Min | July 17, 2011 at 12:13 AM
I know that this is an older post, but I just found it and was able to make a super cute pouch to use as a clutch for an up coming wedding I have to attend. This tutorial was so detailed and easy to follow. I really loved how you used the ribbon for the casing, what a great idea and it made it so simple! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Posted by: Angela Thomas | August 29, 2011 at 11:13 AM
This is a great tutorial! you have done a great job. I think I will make this for my little girls to take their little toys to church. They are using ziplock bags at the moment. So tacky, right? Again, thanks for posting this!
Posted by: Becky @ UCreate with Kids | September 13, 2011 at 11:24 AM
This was great i made 10 in various sizes as gift bags for my wedding. So easy and so effective. Thank you
Posted by: Janette Jones-Pipe | November 23, 2011 at 02:12 PM
wow , thankyou very much ,soon i will try one
Posted by: Rusna | December 25, 2011 at 04:22 PM
I've made 2!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62372880@N08/5805217156/in/photostream/
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62372880@N08/5724618138/in/photostream/
Love these pouches!
Posted by: Mer | January 25, 2012 at 06:59 PM
Great little pouch for so many great uses. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Carol | February 26, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Hi
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Posted by: kitchen tables | August 06, 2012 at 05:31 AM
Nous sommes un groupe de bénévoles et de commencer un nouveau régime dans notre voisinage. Votre site nous a fourni de précieuses informations pour travailler sur |. Vous avez fait un travail impressionnant!
Posted by: ralph lauren paris | August 27, 2012 at 07:29 PM
This purse of yours is great, my kids would love this, I will do all I can to make more than 5 pieces for this coming Holiday.
Posted by: Christmas Gift Bags | November 06, 2012 at 05:54 AM
I just made this & love it ! Simple...cute...fun! Thank you!
Posted by: Lianne | November 15, 2012 at 05:06 PM
Just came across your fabulous page. I am 78 and I quilt and simply love anything to do with it. I really love to put the tops together. Was looking for a pouch pattern as my daughter was down this am and noticed the little backpack I had made to ship to Peru along with Sisters in the church back home. I had to move and have been here for a year. There is nothing like home, especially when you loved their 50 some years. One good thing -- I turned to the pc for ideas and have I ever found them. Thank you. I just recently started making curtains and I see some to look into on your site. Thank You. God Bless Doris Denton
Posted by: Doris Denton | November 29, 2012 at 01:07 PM
I love to browse sewing blogs and see the lovely things others make but there is one thing that literally makes me want to turn right around and leave! You should really educate yourself on copyright laws...I noticed at the bottom of your information and welcome message that you feel that you have the right to ask people to use your patterns for personal use only. American and Canadian law states that patterns, sets of instructions or measurements for any hand crafted item cannot be copyrighted and you certainly do not have control over finished items just because you say so! That would be like saying you own a person's understanding of a set if instructions...their materials and their time. Ideas that have become universal designs can not be owned and I see nothing significantly different about your pouch bag tutorial...or any other for that matter across the web to warrant such a statement! Electronic or paper based copies if patterns or tutorials filled with photos and instructions that you have created out of your own resources and/or time can in a sense be 'copyrighted' but only for the document itself to prevent theft/redistribution etc. of your work. Once someone creates a derivative if your instructions it becomes a completely new item that they have every right to do with it what they like! NO permission required! The same goes for printed fabrics or personally designed materials which can not be controlled once they are sold. By giving people back the rights that they deserve you will find that your time and efforts to lend a hand to others will be just as appreciated! I usually leave sites like this one right away but this time really wanted to say something!
Posted by: Jessica | April 27, 2013 at 11:20 PM
Honey I don't have a blog but I'm a Grandma and Great GiGi and I just want you to know how I am impressed with your creativity. You are amazing and it's so wonderful that you keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas. God bless you and I look forward to seeing your next projects. Thank you for all the wonderful tutorials. I lost my sweet hubby the 1st of June so I'm trying to stay busy. The kids are getting homemade ornaments for Christmas . I can't wait to try them.. Thank you Jude
Posted by: Judy (aka) Jude | September 24, 2013 at 10:11 AM