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Free Purse Pattern and Tutorial

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This was my first free purse pattern! I designed this with paper and sharpie {its now a real pdf!} and I still love this bag. You can sew this free purse pattern just as is, or use the ideas listed here to design your own bag.
Join the LifeSewSavory Pattern Group for support on this pattern! Make sure to check out all my Free sewing patterns here.
I call this free purse pattern the PERFECT purse as I has all the pockets and space I need.

Free Purse Pattern design and sew your own purse from Life Sew SavoryFree Purse Pattern and tutorial –

So… I’ve been looking for the perfect purse pattern…I looked around for what I wanted. I didn’t seem to find anything great so I decided to make exactly what I wanted.
design and sew your own purse

So back to the perfect purse… I need lots of room, pockets, zippers, and straps just the right length! My phone needs a pocket right on the outside with a zipper so I don’t lose it. make a purse with this free patternHow to sew a Purse –

I sat down and sketched out what I was looking for… Want to make one like this? I’m sharing the FREE Purse Pattern today! Go here and grab the free Pattern.  Tape the pieces together as the sketches show. Choose your fabric.
You will need 1 yrd. of two fabrics. I used a quilting cotton {the circles} and a wind-breaker type coated fabric {the green} I also had a scrap of pink fake leather that I used… but if I did this again, I would not use the leather. I used the green for the inside pieces and the circles for the outside… and then accents of both… You also need 2 6″ small zippers {for outside pockets} and one long 20″ zipper for inside pocket, some fold over elastic, 1 magnetic snap, purse strapping of your choice and two bags rings of your choice {optional}
1&2.  Cut out your pattern pieces figure out what fabric you want to use for each piece. For the side panels you want to measure the curved side of the bag, use that as the height, then make it 4 inches wide. For bottom piece do the same. Measure the two main large sides and two end to get the perimeter… cut your bottom this size. If you are using leather cut one inch larger on all sides. If just using the same fabric cut two identical pieces..
3.  Prepare the end pockets. I used fold over elastic to gather the top of the pocket.  Put pleats on the bottom edge and match the sides. tack down all the sides. I only put a gathered pocket on one end of the purse outside. You can put one on both ends if you want.
4.  Sew a short zipper to the top side of each side pocket and top-stitch on the front.
Free purse pattern
1. Center the side pockets and sew the other side of the zipper to the purse side. Sew to both sides.
2. Flip the pocket down and it should look like #2.
3. Prepare the purse lining pocket. I put a zipper pocket on one of the large sides. Sew long zipper to inside pocket piece, top-stitch then sew zipper to purse lining piece.
4. Pre-pare two purse lining end pieces by adding a gathered pocket same as the one on the outside. I use these pockets for sunglasses and keys!
Free Purse Pattern
1. Add the straps. If you want to add rings to one side  loop the straps over at the top and pin in place before you sew. Enclose the side pocket edges with your straps and place on angle as pattern directs. Top-stitch along edges of strap to secure to bag.
2. Repeat with other strap and then the other side. Second side has no rings, just one long strap with both ends secured to the purse. Add a length of strapping to both rings, make sure it is the same length as the full strap.
3. Start assembling the bag inside by sewing on the two end pieces. Right sides together, pin and sew along bag curve.
4.  Attach the fourth side {you can see I added one other small pocket to this side} You now have a rectangle all connected, but no bottom.How to sew a purse
1. Place right sides together and sew bottom on, keeping the corners as square as you can
2. outside view of lining bottom.
3. If I was sewing this bag again I would repeat the same now for the outside. Sew all four sides together and add a green coated fabric bottom. However, I wanted to add a leather bottom. To do that, cut a bottom piece 1″ larger on all sides. Mark the actual size on the leather.
4. Cut the corners at an angle and pin around. I might also just cut the corners and sew right sides together to create the sides.
How to sew a bag
1. Pin the leather bottom, wrong side of leather to right side of purse… sew with a walking foot. {even with a walking foot my leather still stretched and made the sewing difficult, which is why I don’t think I would do it again. Do you have any tips for sewing pleather?
2. I also stitched one inch down from the top.
3. you now have a shell outside and inside with raw top edges and finished bottoms.
4. Its now time to put the two sides together. Place the right sides of the lining and purse together and sew a long the top of the two short ends of the purse. Free Purse Pattern
1. Flip the purse so the lining is now inside the bag. The long sides are still open.
2. Stitch 3/4 of an inch from the edge of the bag.
3. Thread a 6″ piece of elastic through the casing and pull until it’s gathered as you would like.
4. Secure the elastic with stitching on both ends. I secured it right next to the straps.Sew a purse with a free pattern
1-3. put the magnetic clasp on both sides of the purse lining. Reinforce on the backside.
4.  I put some spray adhesive on the bottom of the lining and stuck it to the inside bottom of the purse {the leather} I don’t know if this did anything…. but it has stayed together well. I think this step is optional.Free Purse Pattern
1. sew all four curved seams to secure the lining to the purse outside. I lined up the seams and pinned. Sew on the outside of the purse to attach the two pieces together.
2. Fold the long sides of the purse in, pin and top-stitch the long side of the bag.
3. Add some pleather or other fabric to the center of the straps. Free Purse Pattern
and… I think that’s it!!! I’m super excited about this and I hope that this free purse pattern will be used many times! Please let me know if you have any questions about the pattern or if you make a bag I’d love to see photos!!!
purse6

And here is ONE MORE LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN. 

Here are a few other free purse bags I’ve designed and sewn.

Free purse Pattern from Swoon –

free purse pattern from Swoon

Winter Purse Pattern – 

Winter Purse Free Sewing Pattern from-Nap-Time-Creations

Convertible Purse/Bag

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Comments

  2. Janelle says

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this! One of the best gifts I have ever received was a homemade bag. It was so unique and cute and one of a kind that it made me want to learn how to become a better seamstress! Great bag!

    Reply

  3. ChiWei says

    You are so talented Emily! My mind is spinning just reading this. I’m lucky if I can sew a duvet cover – you know, 3 long straight lines 🙂

    Reply

    • Emily says

      Please let me know if you have questions while making one and I would LOVE to see a photo when you are finished!

  12. Scary says

    I love this purse pattern! Though I am not much of a purse wearer, I think about all the things I could carry in it! The fabulous colors make it fun and bright. Great work and thank you for participating.
    With Love,
    Scary

    Reply

  14. Allison says

    Hi! I was really hoping to make this bag tonight, but I’ve run into a couple of snags. I’m sure it’s some error on my part, but I can’t seem to figure it out. Is the pattern supposed to be printed at 100%? I have scaling off, yet it is printing out at a visibly much smaller size than your finished bag. When I print at 125% it looks more similar, but it is also cutting off parts of the pattern. Also, is there not a pattern piece for the side panels? I hope you can help! I have the perfect fabric and webbing. 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply

    • Emily says

      I’m on vacation and don’t have a measuring tape with me… but I think its about 8/9″ tall and 15″ wide…

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