Poodle Purse Materials: three 10-1/2" x 13-1/2" sheets of plastic mesh - 7 count
1/2 yard 45" fabric for lining and handle
1/2 yard fabric for outside of tote
large-eyed needle
yarn for joining pieces
ruler
marking pen
scissors
optional - piece of vinyl for photo pocket Steps: - Two of the plastic sheets will be used in their entirety. Cut the third so that you have two 3-1/2" by 10-1/2" strips for the side panels and one 3-1/2" by 13-1/2" strip for the bottom of the tote. See figure 1. The remaining small piece can be saved for another project.
- Cut two pieces of lining fabric 12" x 14-1/2" for the front and back panels, two pieces 4-1/2" by 12" for the side panels, and one 4-1/2" by 14-1/2" for the bottom. Cut two more pieces measuring 4" x 14" for the handles.
- For the outside, cut front, back, side and bottom panel pieces measuring the same as those for the lining.
- Line up the front mesh piece with one of the side panel pieces and using 4-ply yarn, stitch the two together along one edge with an overhand casting stitch. Repeat the procedure with the bottom panel, sewing it along the edge of the front mesh piece and joining it at the end to the side panel. Add the second side panel in the same way then add the front panel. Note: The sequence in which you join the pieces is arbitrary. Whatever is easiest for you. The end result will be an open topped "box." See figure 2.
- With right sides facing, stitch the five pieces of the lining together in the same manner taking a 1/2" seam along all stitched edges. Repeat this procedure with the outside fabric pieces. Note: If you will be adding a photo pocket to the front of your tote, be sure to stitch the vinyl pocket in place before joining the fabric pieces. Using the zigzag stitch, stitch it along the two sides and along the bottom edge only so that the photo can be slipped in from the top. The vinyl should be cut just a fraction of an inch larger than the photo.
- Fold the handle fabric pieces in half lengthwise with right sides facing and stitch the length of each piece taking a 1/2" seam. Turn right side out and move the seam to the center.
- Turn the outside of the purse right side out. Position one end of one handle along the top edge of the front panel of the purse. The seam should be facing up and the length of the handle should be hanging down. Bring the other end up and position it in similar fashion about 5" away from the first. They should be approximately 4" in from the side edges of the purse. Stitch to hold.
- Slip the purse cover over the plastic mesh body and adjust so that all sides fit smoothly. See figure 3. Fold the top edge down over the top and take some basting type stitches along the edge to hold in position.
- Slip the lining into position (do not turn right side out). Again smooth out along all sides. Fold the top edge back onto itself and neatly hand stitch around the entire purse joining the lining to the outside fabric. This joining should be just slightly on the inside of the purse rather than directly on the top edge. See figure 4.
Velvet Tote This tote or purse has a slightly different shape and a very different look, yet the construction was very similar to that of the poodle tote. Materials:
three sheets 10-1/2" x 13-1/2" plastic mesh - 7 count
1/3 yard velvet for outside of purse
1/3 yard silk rayon for lining
cording for handles
piece newspaper
marking pen
vinyl for pocket (approximately 8" x 10")
large artificial sunflower
scissors
Hot Potatoes Dragonfly rubber stamp
iron
spritzer bottle with water Steps: - Fold sheet of newspaper in half, then fold in half again in the opposite direction. Draw pattern for elliptical shape for bottom of purse. It should be approximately 1-3/4" wide at the fold of the paper and curve up to the fold at the top edge. Cut out. The piece should be 12-1/2" long and 3-1/2" wide in the center. If this is satisfactory for the purse, this will be your pattern. If you want it wider or shorter simply fold another piece of paper and try again. The only requirement is that the open piece should be no longer that the mesh sheet.
- Place pattern lengthwise on a sheet of the plastic mesh, draw around and cut out.
- Place all plastic pieces on purse fabric and cut out. Cut the side pieces 1" wider and 1-1/2" higher. Cut the bottom piece 1/2" larger on both sides. Repeat with the lining fabric.
- Place the bottom edge (lengthwise) of one of the mesh sheets along one edge of the elliptical piece of mesh and sew the two together using a large needle, yarn and an overhand stitch. Repeat along the second edge with the second sheet of mesh. Sew the side edges together for the basic purse shape. Note: As with the other purse, the sequence in which you sew the mesh pieces together is arbitrary. You might prefer to sew the two sides together first and then add the bottom piece.
- Place the front and back pieces of the lining fabric together with right sides facing and stitch up each side taking a 1/2" seam. Stitch in the bottom piece.
- Repeat step 5 with the outside fabric pieces. Note: If you will be embossing the fabric and/or adding the vinyl pocket this should be done before stitching the pieces together. To emboss, turn the rubber stamp with the rubber side up and place velvet right side down over it. Spritz lightly with water, then press with an iron set at hot for approximately 20 seconds. Carefully lift iron to see if the impression is coming through. If necessary return iron for another 10 seconds. Do not move the velvet. Try to avoid the steam holes. If adding the pocket use a piece of vinyl large enough to cover the flower you will be using, place flower in position, stitch vinyl on all four sides using a zigzag stitch.
- Complete purse as described for the Poodle Purse above.
RESOURCES :
rubber stamps - Hot Potatoes
Hot Potatoes
Website: www.hotpotatoes.com
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