DIY Network

Potato Chip Handbag Create this fun and colorful bag almost completely out of potato chip bags! From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-243

Potato Chip Handbag

Guest Kate Richbourg joins host Jennifer Perkins and begins to make a fun, colorful handbag made almost completely out of potato chip bags.

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Potato chip handbag designed by Kate Richbourg.

Materials:

ruler
cutting mat that has a grid
scissors
clothes pins
lots of potato chip bags
assortment of 6mm beads
heavy-duty thread or upholstery thread
tapestry needle
Big Eye needle

	Figure A
	Figure B

Steps:

1. Obtain many potato chip bags or similar foil bags and wash them. Cut them open so they can lay flat.

2. Draw a 1-1/4" x 4" grid on a flat chip bag. Cut strips from grid with scissors or a rotary cutter. A quilting ruler and mat will help to cut straight lines (figure A).

3. Fold strip in thirds long ways, then fold strip in half and make a crease. Fold each half up toward the crease. The segment should measure about 1/2" x 1-1/2". Make a second segment.

4. To connect segments, insert one strip at a right angle into the other so they form a "V" unit. Continue to fold and add strips to form a long chain. This chain should be about 40 segments long. Make six of these strips (figure B).

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

5. To connect strips, lay them out side by side. Use heavy thread (upholstery) and a tapestry needle to weave one strip to the next (figures C and D). Insert the needle underneath the tab of one folded segment on first strip and pull thread through. Insert the needle under corresponding tab of second strip and pull thread through. Keep the thread tension tight so that the weave is sturdy. Continue until all strips are connected to form one piece of woven fabric. Weave any loose thread ends into the fabric.

6. Take the woven "fabric" piece and connect it at the side to form a tube (figure E). Weave the tube closed at the side seam, just as strips were. Connect the tube at bottom by fitting spaces together and weaving. This will form the bottom and side seams of purse.

7. Select a zipper that fits the opening of the purse. Line up the end of the zipper with the back seam of the purse and stitch zipper in around the opening of the purse making even stitches as you sew.

8. To make a handle, thread the Big Eye needle with 24-inches of upholstery thread and string 11-inches of 6mm beads. There should be about 5- or 6-inches of thread left on each end. Thread tapestry needle at one end and weave one side of the thread down the side of the purse in between the woven material of the purse. Repeat with the second end of thread so that the handle is secure.

9. Finish embellishing the potato chip handbag by weaving in a 6mm beads in each space along the top edge using upholstery thread and the Big Eye needle.

Potato chip handbags are a great fashion accessory that's sure to attract attention to its unique design!

GUESTS :

Kate Richbourg
Beadisimo
Website: www.beadissimo.com