THE ROUNDABOUT PURSE
This purse features a classic round shape that is sure to stand out. Despite its petite size, it’s incredibly roomy and easy to access. It comes with heart, ninja star, and octopus designs that make bold and colorful statements.
This design takes the classic shoulder bag and makes it circular. The unique shape makes it a standout piece that you can customize. Use a sturdy fabric like denim or canvas to create a bag that will stand up to everyday wear and tear, or go with a lighter or softer fabric for a purse that you can pair with a special outfit. As always, use appliqué or stencil designs to make a bag that expresses your taste and personality.
Level: Experienced Beginner
Materials:
3/4 yd. (75cm) of 45(114.5cm)-wide or 1/2 yd. (50cm) of 60
(152.5cm)-wide medium- to heavyweight main fabric
1/2 yd. (50cm) lining fabric
1 yd. (100cm) medium-weight interfacing
Two 1 1/2(4cm) metal rings
1 1/2
(4cm) tri-glide strap adjuster
20" (51cm)-long zipper
2 yd. (200cm) bias tape
Matching thread
Stenciling or appliqué supplies & fabric (optional)
Step 1
Before you begin.
Cut out all the main fabric, lining, and interfacing pieces using the patterns and charts. Make any markings as indicated by the patterns. Apply the interfacing to the corresponding main bag front and back (A), top (B), bottom (C), tabs (D), and strap (E) pieces.
Instead of sewing your own fabric strap, you can also use 1 2/3 yd. (167cm) of 1 1/2" (4cm)-wide webbing.
The roundabout purse pattern calls for a few additional square pieces. Cut them following the chart below.
PIECE NAME -- MATERIAL TO CUT -- SIZE TO CUT -- NUMBER TO CUT -- SEAM ALLOWANCE
Top (B) Main fabric, lining, and interfacing 2 1/4x 14 1/4
(5.5 x 36cm) 2 of each material 5/8(1.5cm)
Bottom (C) Main fabric, lining, and interfacing 4 1/4
x 22 1/4(11 x 56.5cm) 1 of each material 5/8
(1.5cm)
Tabs (D) Main fabric and interfacing 4 1/4x 4 1/4
(11 x 11cm) 2 of each material 5/8(1.5cm)
Strap (E) Main fabric and interfacing 4 1/4
x 60(11 x 152.5cm) 1 of each material 5/8
(1.5cm)
Step 2
Stencil or appliqué
Stencil or appliqué the desired design to the bag front piece (A).
Step 3
Install the zipper
Center and layer a bag top (B) piece over the zipper and layer a lining piece beneath it. Sew the three layers together. Repeat this with the other side of the zipper and the remaining bag top pieces. See the Installing Zippers feature (page 39) for more help.
Step 4
Step 5
Sew the bottom
Line up the short edge of the bottom (C) with the short edge of the top (B). Layer the lining piece beneath it and pin them together. Fold the tab piece (D) in half, wrap it around the metal ring, and insert it into the middle of the seam. Sew these layers together, being very careful when going over the zipper. Repeat this for the other side of the top, being sure to move the zipper slider toward the middle.
Step 6
Sew the front and back
Mark the cardinal points of the top (B) and bottom (C) pieces by folding them in half. Layer the front (A) with its corresponding lining piece, wrong sides together. Match up the cardinal points of the top and sides with those on the front. Clip the seam allowances if necessary and sew around the perimeter of the front. Do the same with the bag back.
Step 7
Bind the seam
Use bias tape to bind the raw seam created by sewing the front and the back.
Step 8
Attach the strap
Attach one end of the strap to the tri-glide using a box stitch. Then, loop the other end through one of the metal rings, back through the tri-glide, and through the remaining metal ring. Sew the end in place with a box stitch.
Step 9
This purse pattern is excerpted with permission from Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes: Chic to Unique Bags & Purses That You Can Make
by Choly Knight, published by Design Originals.
