Record Purse

Steps:

1. Select two 45-rpm records. Using design software on the computer, create a 3-1/2 inch diameter circle with a 1-1/4 inch black circle in the center. Create the label design and print out two copies onto white paper. Glue a label onto each 45 record.

2. Place one 45-rpm record in the drilling template, drill holes around the perimeter and at top for the closure with 1/8-inch drill bit. Repeat with the other 45-rpm record.

3. Enlarge two holes along the top of each record for attaching handles using a 3/16-inch drill bit.

4. Glue a 2 inch black fabric square to the back of each 45-rpm record with hot glue to cover the hole.

5. Glue the flat part of the button to the back of the large rhinestone using fast-drying glue.

6. Fold a 6-inch piece of beading wire in half, thread it through the button.

7. Thread the wire ends through the record and twist the wire to secure.

8. Thread elastic through the holes on one record and tie a knot.

Lining and body fabric:

1. Cut the 60 inch body fabric into two pieces: one piece 15" x 60" and one piece 45" x 60".

2. Cut the 45 inch piece of body fabric into two 3" x 45" strips to make the handles.

3. Cut the 44 inch piece of lining fabric into two pieces: one 6" x 15" strip and one 7-1/2" x 44" strip.

4. Fold the 7-1/2-inch piece of lining fabric into six pieces, lay a 45 record on top, trace the circumference and cut out the circles, leaving 1/4 inch around all sides for the seam allowance. Make six 7-1/2 inch circles.

5. Place two circles on top of one another, right sides together, fold the top circle in half.

6. Set a third circle on top, right sides together. Repeat with the other three circles. When sewn together, the folded circle will form the pocket on the inside of the purse.

7. Machine-stitch around the circumference of the first three circles, leaving a 1-inch opening at the bottom so you can turn the circles right side out. Repeat with other set of circles. Turn the circles right side out through the opening in the bottom. Hand stitch the openings closed.

8. Machine-stitch the 6" x 15" pieces of body fabric and lining fabrics, right sides together, along the long sides, leaving the ends open. Turn the pieces right side out, tuck the ends to the inside and top stitch the ends.

9. Find the center bottom of the circle and attach it to the center of the 15-inch body piece, pin and topstitch together.

10. Repeat with the other circle. This completes the shell of the purse with the pockets on the inside.

11. Fold each 45-inch strip of fabric for the handles into quarters lengthwise, tucking the raw edges of the fabric inside. Topstitch along the outer edges.

12. Thread 1 inch of one end of the handle through the rhinestone buckle and sew the handle to itself to hold the buckle. Thread the other end of the handle through the buckle again, fold the end of the handle over 1 inch and sew it to itself. Do the same for the other handle.

13. Punch a hole in the bottom center of one circle of the shell of the purse with the leather punch. Make sure the hole goes through all layers of the circle and through the layers of the body material.

14. Using a crewel needle and the 1/8-inch ribbon, thread the ribbon through the hole in the fabric shell, through the bottom center hole in the 45 record and back through the hole in the fabric shell.

15. Continue to punch holes along the circumference of the fabric shell, matching them to the holes in the 45 record.

16. Whip stitch with the ribbon through the holes around the entire purse and stitching the final stitch back through the original hole. Tie a knot. Repeat with the other record.

17. Using two pair of pliers open the metal rings and thread one through the 3/16-inch holes at the top of each record, two per record.

18. Slide the handle loop over the metal ring and close the metal ring using pliers.

19. Loop the elastic over the rhinestone button of your record purse.

Kristin Hansen proclaims she has the biggest purse collection. She's been collecting purses since the age of four. She's not sure what sparked her purse obsession but it has taken over her life. Not only is her house filled with purses from all over the world, but she now makes purses full time. Aside from working in her home purse studio, this bubbly bag lady loves to paint and play with her three cats.

E-mail: hansenshandbags@hotmail.com