![making a purse](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/purse-1.jpg)
Over the weekend, I worked on making myself a new purse.
I started with this purse pattern
![purse pattern](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/purse-pattern.jpeg)
intending to make the top left bag, but without the ruffle.
I chose to make it in blues and some denim scraps I had.
I ended up (sort of) following the directions
to sew the crazy quilt front and back
and then doing my own thing after that.
Here’s how I made the bag.
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Making the Crazy Quilt front and back:
After the crazy quilt pieces got big enough
I was able to cut them down to the right size
for the front and back pieces
and cut out notches in the bottom for the bottom of the bag.
![front of purse](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/front-of-purse.jpeg)
Cutting the notches makes an easy way
to have a definite “bottom” to the bag.
Making the lining:
I cut two lining pieces out of denim the same sized and shape
as the front and back.
I also cut two pieces of batting the same size and shape.
Then, I added some pockets to the lining.
I was using an old soft denim skirt for the lining
and I had enough for one pocket that still had the original hem.
I cut a rectangle piece of the denim and hemmed the other three sides
that didn’t have the original hem.
Then, I sewed it onto the right side of one of the lining pieces
sewing along the bottom and side edges.
I made the pocket big enough for my phone
and sewed an additional line to make another pocket big enough for a pen.
![pocket](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/pocket-.jpeg)
I decided to add two equal sized pockets on the other side of the bag.
I cut another rectangle out of denim and sewed a hem on all four sides.
Then, I drew a line down the middle
so I would know where to sew to make it into two pockets.
![mark pocket line](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/mark-pocket-line.jpeg)
I also added velcro on the lining and pocket
to help keep stuff inside these pockets.
![add velcro](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/add-velcro.jpeg)
Then, I sewed along the sides and bottom of the pocket
and along the line I drew.
Sewing a purse handle:
For me, there is a fine line between purse handles that are too long
and ones that are too short.
So, I measured the handles of a purse
I have that I like the length of the handles.
I added one inch to that length so I would have enough length
to place the handles in the seam.
I cut two handles in that length (30 inches) with a width of 4 inches.
I pressed under 3/8 inch on both of the long sides
and then pressed the handles in half lengthwise.
I then cut batting to fit inside the pocket this created.
![handle batting](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/handle-batting.jpeg)
I pinned the handle wrong sides together,
with the pressed under edges even
and sewed up along that side.
![pin edges](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/pin-edges.jpeg)
I just realized it would probably look more professional
if I had sewn along both edges.
But, I am done now…and not taking it apart!
I made two of these handles.
Sewing a Purse:
I layered the two outer purse pieces right sides together.
I sewed along the bottom and two sides,
leaving a hole for turning on one of the sides.
I didn’t sew along the notched areas!
I pressed the seams.
Then, I took the open, notched areas and lined up the seam from the side
with the seam from the bottom.
I pinned the two edges, right sides together, and sewed a seam.
![making bottom seam](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/making-bottom.jpeg)
This creates the “bottom” of the bag.
![bottom of bag](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/bottom-of-bag.jpeg)
Then, I layered a batting piece,
a lining piece – right side up,
then a lining piece – right side down,
and then another batting piece.
So, the two lining pieces were right sides together,
sandwiched between the two batting pieces.
I sewed along the bottom and two sides,
leaving a hole for turning on one of the sides.
I didn’t sew along the notched areas!
I pressed the seams.
Then, I took the open, notched areas and lined up the seam from the side
with the seam from the bottom.
I pinned the two edges, right sides together, and sewed a seam.
Finishing the Purse:
To finish it all up, I put the bag inside the lining, right sides together
pinning the top of the bag to the top of the lining.
I inserted the handles in between the lining and the bag,
also lining up the raw edge of the handles with the raw edge of the bag.
I put one handle on each side of the bag.
I made sure the handle wasn’t twisted inside there
and was evenly placed on both sides.
I placed my handles two inches from the seam on each side.
Then, I sewed the top seam of the bag.
I turned the bag through the hole I had left in the side of the lining.
I pressed the top seam and sewed up the hole in the lining.
I also stitched all the way around along the top of the bag.
![finished bag](https://doodledogprimitives.com/wp-content/uploads/finished-bag.jpeg)
It took me quite a while to get the crazy quilting done,
but once that was done, it didn’t take very long at all to sew up the purse.
Be sure to check our how I made a ruffled tea towel.
Blessings~
Amy