Tutorial for Crossbody Envelope Purse and Wristlet

Hello everyone,

I know you will all enjoy this weeks post. Its and fun, quick, and easy tutorial designed with mom and daughter in mind. We will be making a envelope purse that can be used both as a crossbody purse or a wristlet. 

It is important to accessorize, so this little pattern will allow those who love handcrafting their own pieces create something new and in current fashion. This pattern is designed to accommodate adventurous beginning sewers. I say adventurous because we are using unlikely material (fabric we do not usually use in everyday sewing). This pattern was designed to be used with vinyl or leather. This purse should resemble something you would buy in store fore your little fashionista. 

You will also need a few pieces of hardware that you may not have on hand, such as swivel clips and d-rings so please review the supplies list ahead of time. 

I want to thank Lil Luxe Collection for working with me and giving me the opportunity to share my blog during her Sew 'N Style Series. If you have yet to check out her patterns please do. I think I already every single one of her patterns and am excited about her new designs in the works. 
A few of my favorite patterns include the Metropolitan Dress, The City Girl Romper, and the Haute Shorts.


Please share your creations with me. Feel free to comment below or email me if you have any questions. 

TUTORIAL


**Vinyl or leather purse

Materials and supplies required

For toddler size purse you will need:

·      3/8 yard of the main fabric (will accommodate outside layer of purse, Crossbody sash, bracelet strap/wristlet, and strap loops)

·      1/4 yard of lining fabric

·      a package of single fold bias tape in coordinating color )If making your own make sure to have at least one yard)

For Adult size purse you will need:

·      1/2 yard of the main fabric (will accommodate outside layer of purse, Crossbody sash, bracelet strap/wristlet, and strap loops)

·      3/8 yard of lining fabric

·      a package of single fold bias tape in coordinating color )If making your own make sure to have at least one yard)

For Both Versions you will also need:

·      Walking Foot or Teflon Foot (this will allow the vinyl or leather to move with the dog feed a lot smoother, ensuring cleaner stitches)

·      Rotary cutting tool, I recommend a new blade if available or Good sharp scissors

·      Coordinating Thread

·      Box cutter

·      ruler

·      marking pen/ marker/ pencil/ tailor's chalk

·      2 D-rings

·      3 swivel clips

·      1 magnetic snap (can use other purse closure of choice)

·      2" x 2" piece of heavy weight fusible interfacing

·      And of course a sewing machine with a thick gauge needle (size 16 or 18) **Remember this pattern was designed for heavy fabric such as vinyl or leather

Cutting Chart

***This pattern was designed for vinyl and leather fabric. Since vinyl and leather does not fray, the raw edges will remain visible. Please make sure to cut as straight as possible to ensure a clean, finished looking edge. I recommend using a rotary cutting tool to provide the best results.

Toddler size:

·       Purse:

o   Cut 1 of main fabric  13" x 8 1/2"

o   cut 1 of lining 13" x 8 1/2"

·       Crossbody Sash:  (can use main fabric or accent fabric)

o   cut 1 at 32" x 1 1/2"

·       Bracelet strap/ wristlet:  (can use main fabric or accent fabric)

o   cut 1 at 9" x 1 1/2"

·       strap loops: (can use main fabric or accent fabric)

o   cut 2 at 3" x 1 1/2"

Adult size:

·       Purse:

o   Cut 1 of main fabric  20" x 12 1/2"

o   cut 1 of lining 20" x 12 1/2"

·       Crossbody Sash:  (can use main fabric or accent fabric)

o   cut 1 at 49" x 1 1/2" (or cut 2 at 25" x 1 1/2")

·       Bracelet strap/ wristlet:  (can use main fabric or accent fabric)

o   cut 1 at  11" x 1 1/2"

·       strap loops: (can use main fabric or accent fabric)

o   cut 2 at 3" x 1 1/2"

Instructions:

***Cut the fabric based on the chart above

We will start by making the straps and loops first.

Constructing the Crossbody Sash:

1.     Place the sash cutout in front of you long side horizontally, wrong side up.

2.     Fold the long raw edges toward the center. Use clips to secure the folds. 


3.     Straight stitch as close as you can to the center long raw edges. (You may also stitch a 1/8" seam along the long folded edges if needed, may be required for thicker fabrics) 



4.     Slide a swivel clip onto both ends of the sash (a total of two will be used for this step).

5.     Fold the short ends of the sash toward the wrong side of the sash encasing the swivel clips within the folds. Stitch as close to the short raw edge to secure the clips. (The wrong side will be the side with the visible raw edges)

The Crossbody sash is now complete. Please set aside.

 Constructing the Bracelet Strap/ Wristlet:

1.     Place the wristlet cutout in front of you wrong side up, long edge horizontally.

2.     Fold the long raw edges toward the center. Use clips to secure the folds. 


3.     Straight stitch as close as you can to the center long raw edges. (You may also stitch a 1/8" seam along the long folded edges if needed, may be required for thicker fabrics) 



4.     Slide a swivel clip onto the bracelet. (You will only be using one swivel clip for this Step)

5.     Fold the bracelet strap in half right sides together, meeting the short raw ends. Make sure that the clip is slid to the center of the strap so it is out of your way. You will now sew the short end together with a 1/2" seam allowance.

6.     Trim off the excess tail as close to the seam as possible without cutting the seam thread.

7.     Turn the bracelet so that the stitched end is inside the loop you just created. Slide the swivel clip to the stitched end and encase the clip at this end by stitching about a 1/2" from the seam.

The Bracelet Strap/ Wristlet is now complete. Please set aside.

Constructing the D-Ring Loops for the main purse:

1.     Take the 3" x 1 1/2" cutout. Lay it out in front of you with wrong sides up and long edges horizontally.

2.     Fold the long raw edges toward the center. Use clips to secure the folds.

3.     Straight stitch as close as possible to the edge of the center long raw edges. (You may also stitch a 1/8" seam along the long folded edges if needed, may be required for thicker fabrics)

4.     Repeat with the other 3" x 1 1/2" cutout.

The loops are now ready for the next step. Set aside until you are instructed to use again. You should have two loops completed.

Finishing the Purse Construction:

1.     Lay the Main Purse Cutout in front on you short edges horizontally, wrong side up. Measure (4" for toddler size and 5" for adult size) down from the top edge and mark at both side seams.

2.     You will now collect the d-ring loop you made recently. Slide the D-ring onto the loop. Fold the loop in half wrong sides together, and short ends touching, with the d-ring still on. Place the loop at the marking you made in step one about 3/8" in with raw edges towards the center of the main purse cutout. The top edge of the loop should align with the marking.  Stitch the loop in place using a 1/4" seam allowance. 



3.     Repeat with the second loop to the other side seam.

4.     Now measure (5" for toddler size and 8" for adult size) from the bottom of the main purse cutout and draw a line from one side to the other. This will be you fold line, so make sure you are marking the wrong side of the main purse cutout. Fold up at the line wrong sides together and secure folds with clips. You will stitch 1/8" along the sides. Stitch again 1/8" in from the first stitch. This provides stability and looks clean and finished. The top flap of the main purse cutout should be untouched. 



5.     We will now prepare the lining fabric. Stitch the bias to the two short ends of the lining cutout and to the first 3 1/2" of the two long sides.
 I recommend only cutting the bias tape into 2 separate pieces, one for the sides and top and the other for the bottom edge. Remember to miter your corners. 

6.     Measure (5" for toddler size and 8" for adult size) from the bottom of the lining fabric cutout and place pins at the sides to mark the measurement. You will fold up at the pins right sides together and stitch 1/4" along the sides. The top flap portion the lining should be untouched up to now. 


7.     We will now install the magnetic snap as the closure for this purse. Take the main outer purse layer in front of you. Leave the top flap of this main purse layer open and find the horizontal layer of the main body of the purse and measure 2 inches down from the center of the top purse edge. This will be where you install the bottom portion of the magnetic snap.

**See this video or this one to learn how to install a magnetic purse snap.

** Set the other portion of the snap to the side for a later step.

8.     We will install the top portion of the magnetic snap to the lining. You will need a 2" x 2" piece of heavy interfacing (This will ensure that the snap does not tear through the fabric when you open your purse.) Place the liner with wrong side facing up. Find the horizontal center by measuring between the side seams of your lining and mark the center. Then measure 1" down from the top of the flap and mark. The cross you just created will be where you install the snap. Iron the heavy interfacing over the cross or X marking, on the wrong side of the lining. Now refresh the markings and install the snap as per the directions in the videos I Linked in Step 6.




9.     Close the snap to make sure it is secure and working effectively. You will want to make sure you do this before completing the last steps. If all is working properly, open the snaps and move onto the next step.

10.  Insert the lining into the main purse with wrong sides together. Line up the finish top flap edges of the lining with the raw edges of the main purse layer. Stitch 1/8" along the edged of the top flap and the purse opening. You also have the option to stitch another 1/8" in from the previous stitch. 



11.  Fold down the top flap and close the purse.

Your new Crossbody Envelope Purse and Wristlet is now COMPLETE. Hope you enjoyed this tutorial enough to make a mommy and me version. :)