How to Sew a Handbag

If you're interested in sewing and design or even just creativity, then this is the right rainy day activity for you!

Steps

  1. Image titled Sew a Handbag Step 1
    1
    Cut out four square pieces of fabric the exact same size. Make sure that if you are making a small messenger bag that it's around 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length and 10 inches (25.4 cm) in width.
  2. 2
    Two pieces are for your lining one for the out side of the bag. If you want extra body try using a fusible product such as craft fuse, décor bond or form-flex. This gets fused with an iron to the lining of the bag before you sew it.
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  3. 3
    Sew the side seams with a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) seam.
  4. 4
    Sew the bottom with a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) seam.
  5. 5
    If you want you can box the bottom by measuring up 2 inches (5.1 cm) and creating a triangle measure in 2 inches (5.1 cm) sew across the diagonal.
  6. 6
    Do this to both the lining and the outer bag.
  7. 7
    To sew the bag and the lining together turn the outer bag right side out. keep the lining right side in. place the outer bag into the lining and sew a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) seam around the top of the bag to secure the two pieces together. at the bottom of the lining open the bottom of the seam about 4 inches (10.2 cm) so that you can birth the outer bag through the lining opening.
  8. 8
    Sew the lining back up by top-stitching the opening closed
  9. Image titled Sew a Handbag Step 9
    9
    Cut 2 handles at least 2 1/2 inches (5.1 cm) wide by however long you want your strap. For a handbag you can cut the handles 2 1/2 x 21 inches or if you want it to cross your body at least 2 1/2 x 40 inches.
  10. 10
    Sew handles right sides together using a 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) seam down the length of the fabric.
  11. 11
    Fold in the top and the bottom and top-stitch 1/8 around the handles and the bag.
  12. 12
    Attach to the purse by measuring 2 1/4 inches (10.2 cm) down and 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the side. this is where you mark to add your straps.
  13. 13
    Sew a box around the handle edges and then sew an x across to really secure the straps.
  14. Image titled Sew a Handbag Step 14
    14
    Enjoy you bag!
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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

  • Fabric 1⁄2 yard (0.5 m)
  • Lining 1⁄2 yard (0.5 m)
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Machine in good working order

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About This Article

Tested by:
wikiHow Video Team
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 18 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 54,732 times.
12 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 18
Updated: June 9, 2022
Views: 54,732
Categories: Sewing Bags and Purses | Making Handbags and Purses
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