Silk Tote

Materials:

fabric of choice (we used reversible embroidered silk)
matching thread
ruler
scissors
sewing machine

Alternative design

Note: Try to select a fabric where the design runs in both directions. If not, the front will run right side up and the back will be upside down. Our brocade silk was reversible, so the reverse side was used for the lining, making the purse itself reversible. This was a bonus. It is not necessary that the fabric be reversible.

Our purse measured 10 inches high, 8 inches wide and 3 inches deep.

Figure A

Steps:

1. Cut two pieces of fabric measuring 12" x 24". One will be the outside of the purse and one will be the lining. t two pieces of fabric 3" x 17" for the handles.

2. Place both pieces of fabric on the table top. Place the outside fabric wrong side up. Place the lining fabric right side up.

Figure B

3. Fold both pieces in half crosswise. The outside fabric will have the right sides facing. The lining will have the wrong sides facing. Take a 1/2-inch seam up both sides of each piece.

Figure C

4. Place both pieces with the bottom of the tote at the top and refold so the side seams are lined up on top of each other running down the middle. The easy way to do this is to place your hands inside the tote and spread them apart, which will automatically make the fabric between the two seams fold down inside of them.

Figure D

Line up the seams so they are directly on top of each other. Do this to both pieces.

Figure E

5. Place a ruler horizontally across the purse a couple of inches down from the top (which is actually the bottom of the purse). Move it up and down until the distance between the two angled sides measures exactly 3 inches, and draw a line across. To make certain that the line is straight across, measure the distance from the line at each angled side to the top. Both measurements should be the same. Do this on both sides of the tote and on both sides of the lining.

6. Spread out the center seams and stitch across the drawn lines. Be certain that you do this on the two layers on each side separately. Do not sew through all four layers. Turn piece over and repeat on the other side. Repeat these steps on the lining.

Figure F

7. Turn the tote piece right side out and push out the corners. The bottom should be flat.

Figure G

8. Push the corners of the lining out but do NOT turn the piece right side out. To eliminate bulk, you might choose to cut off the excess fabric beyond the line of stitching at the corners.

Figure H

9. To make the handles fold each length in half lengthwise with right sides facing and take a 1/2-inch seam. Before turning, you might wish to cut off some of the excess fabric along the seam.

Figure I

10. Turn handles right side out and press. If you are making a reversible purse, press with the seam running down the side. If you are not making a reversible purse, press with the seam running down the middle.

Figure J

11. Position and pin the two ends of one handle along the top raw edge of the purse about 2 inches in from the side seams. Turn the purse over and repeat on the other side with the second handle. Stitch each handle in place.

Figure K

12. Insert the lining into the outside purse. Fold the top edge over 1/2 inch on both the outside purse and the lining so the handles are sandwiched between both pieces.

Figure L

13. Pin the outside tote to the lining and sew closed by hand.

14. You might wish to cover a piece of cardboard cut to size and place in the bottom of your dressy tote.