Sew your purse |

I just love these coin purses so much that I thought I would create these kits that make it easy for you to make one yourself. Contact the Art Jam Studio in Caversham to get one.

Once you have the bits and pieces, here’s how you put it together. You can either sew by hand or with a machine, using a 1cm seam allowance.

First, sew the top of the purse.

: Kit contents: 1 piece outer fabric, 2 pieces lining fabric, 1 metal clasp plus a needle and thread

: Lay one lining piece (right sides together) on the outer piece, matching up the notches. Sew from notch to notch, marked purple as shown.

: Lay second lining piece on outer fabric, matching up notches. Sew as with first piece.

Sew the sides of the purse.

: Fold the pinned pieces out to one side as shown. Sew down the side of the lining starting from the notch (marked purple). Ensure you are only sewing through 2 layers of fabric. (Do not sew the outer fabric just yet).

: This is how your side seam should look.

: Now, repeat on the other side so your 2 lining pieces are attached together as shown. Remove pins.

: Turn the fabric around. You should see the folded bottom of the outer fabric wrong side.

: Sew up the sides of the outer fabric in the same way as the lining.

: Ensure you only sew through two layers.

Turn out the purse: you should now have something resembling your purse.

: Push your fingers into the opening of the lining and turn out the top curves of the purse. Then pull down the lining.

: Pin the lining opening closed as shown.

: Sew the opening closed by sewing very close to the edge.

Put the frame in place – use a contrasting thread for some extra interest!

: Turn the purse so it is the right way out. Ensure the curves are fully out, use a pin to tease them out if needed.

: Insert the top of the purse fabric into the channel in the purse frame. Ensure the hinge of the frame lines up with the join in the fabric.

: Start attaching from the centre of the frame using large temporary stitches.

: Use large stitches to keep the fabric in place the frame – these will be removed later.

: Ensure the fabric is secure and lined up all the way around, adjust or redo as needed.

Attach the frame – use a contrasting or a matching thread as you wish. From the inside of the frame, insert your needle at an angle to keep the stitches under the frame on the inside.