Beach Purse Tutorial

 

I originally made this purse for my grandmother.  After I finished it, I was wishing I had one for myself too.  The size is perfect for carrying sunscreen, a book, and other things you may need for the beach or pool (or for running around town for that matter!).  I love that it's not enormous like the other beach bags I have.  Here are the instructions for making your own if you'd like.

Materials:

1/2 yd. outside fabric*

1/2 yd. lining fabric

1/2 yd interfacing 

1" wide sew-in Velcro 

Coordinating thread

Fabric marker or pencil

*I used quilting cotton for the outside and lining.  I used Pellon 809 Decor Bond for the interfacing.

Note:  I used a 1/4" inseam because that's what I'm used to as a quilter, but it would also be great using a 1/2" inseam.  Just increase the fabric rectangle sizes by 1/4" on all sides to make the same size purse I made.

For all topstitching, I used a 4.0 stitch length and stitched very close to the edge.

1- Cut out all the pieces you'll need for your purse:

2  10 3/4" x 12" rectangles of outside fabric

1  3" x 42" strip outside fabric for strap (or 3" x width of fabric with selvedges trimmed for most quilting cotton)

2  10 1/2" x 12" rectangles of lining fabric

1  10 1/2" square of lining fabric for pocket

2  10 3/4" x 12" rectangles of interfacing

1  2 1/2" strip of Velcro 

Outside, lining, interfacing, strap

Pocket, Velcro

2- Fuse the interfacing to each of the outside fabric panels according to manufacturer's instructions.

3- Prepare the pocket.

Fold the 10 1/2" square in half, right sides together.  

Sew the open end of the long side, and turn the pocket right sides out.  Press the pocket and topstitch on the folded long side.  

4- Attach the pocket.

Place the pocket on one of the lining fabric pieces.  Your pocket should be oriented so that the raw edges of the pocket line up with the edges of the lining fabric.  Try to center the pocket on your lining fabric.  I just looked at it, no measuring required. :)  

The topstitching should be pointing toward what will become the top of your purse.  Pin the pocket in place, and topstitch over the bottom of the pocket.  Then, stitch a vertical line over the pocket, dividing it into two sections.  Be sure to backstitch at the top and bottom.  I made one large and one small pocket by stitching 4" from one edge.

5- Attach the Velcro.

Fold each lining piece in half lengthwise.  Crease it with your finger.  Do the same with both parts of Velcro.  Align the folds of one lining piece and one Velcro piece, and pin the Velcro about 1" below the top of the lining fabric.  Stitch around the edges of your Velcro.

6- Sew the interfaced outside pieces together.

Place the outside fabrics right sides together, and stitch down one long side, across the bottom, and up the other long side.  Leave the top open.

7- Sew the lining pieces together.

Repeat step 6 with the lining fabrics.

8- Box the corners of the lining and the outside pieces.  

Stand the unit upright (open side up), align the side and bottom seams, and flatten the corner, forming a triangle.  Measure 1" from the tip, and draw a line from side to side.  

Be sure to pin above the marked line.  Stitch on top of the line.

Trim the corner to a 1/4" inseam.

Repeat with the rest of the bottom corners.

9- Make the strap.

Fold and press your strip in half lengthwise.  

Open it up, and fold one side almost up to the crease.  Press the new fold in place.  

Repeat with the other side.  

Now fold your strap along the original crease.  Pin in place.

Topstitch along the open side first, and then along the folded side.  

10- Attach the outside of the purse and the strap to the lining.

Leave the outside of the purse inside out.  Flatten the strap and hold each end so that it doesn't twist in the middle.  Place the strip inside the purse, and pin strap ends to the sides, centering each side of the strap on a side seam.  The raw edge should stick over the top of the purse 1/4" - 1/2."  

Turn the lining fabric right sides out and place it inside the other part of the purse (still inside out).  The right sides of each part should be facing the right sides of the other part.  Pin the lining in place.  Be sure to remove the pins through the straps and pin through all three pieces (outside, strap and lining).

Sew around the top of the purse, leaving a 4" or 5" gap for turning.  Backstitch on either side of the gap.

11- Turn the purse right sides out.  

Reach through the hole and pull the purse through until the right sides are all out.  Push the lining inside the purse, and press around the top.  Be sure to tuck in the raw edges of the gap used for turning as you press.  

12- Topstitch around the top of the purse, ensuring that you close the gap used for turning.

That's it!  It's a pretty simple method that you can use for any size tote bag.  I hope you enjoy your beach purse as much as I do!

Forest Friends Cheater Quilt Tutorial

These are instructions for finishing my Forest Friends Cheater Quilt panel.  This is not the only way to finish the quilt, but it's how I did it.  

If you're not feeling up to the quilting, but still want a precious blanket with this panel, consider making a simple blanket or a tied quilt.

Materials needed:    1 Forest Friends Cheater panel (**You must order one yard, centered**)

                                1 1/4 yards backing fabric

                                1 1/4 yards Warm n White cotton batting (or a scrap approx. 40" x 46"or larger)

                                1/2 yard binding fabric

Step 1: Prepare the quilt sandwich.

Use a hard flat surface, like a tile/wood floor or a table.  Place your fabric with the wrong side facing up and secure it with blue painter's tape or clamps.

I do this to ensure that my layers line up correctly.  I make the same marks on each layer and line them up before basting my quilt.

If you'd like more info on marking your quilt sandwich, here is a good explanation from Red Pepper Quilts.

Begin in the center and work your way to the edges.  Do not pin where the "blocks" meet.

Step 2: Quilt.

Here are some great resources on machine quilting if you need help:

Machine Quilting from TLC

Machine Quilting Tips and Tricks from Dummies.com

Since this cheater quilt will have a lot of short quilted lines, this step is extremely important, especially if you don't want to go back and secure each thread by hand:

To begin, turn the handwheel to lower and raise the needle to its highest point. Pull gently on the top thread to bring the bobbin thread up through the quilt. Stitch in place for several stitches. Gradually increase the length of each stitch for the first 1/2 inch of quilting until the stitches are the desired length. This will secure the ends of the threads, making it unnecessary to backstitch or knot them. Reverse these steps at the end of each line of quilting. -TLC Machine Quilting

Option: It might be nice to quilt the sky in blue thread as well.

Trim all the loose ends.

Step 3: Bind.

Now it's time to bind your quilt!  I'd like to make another tutorial for how to bind a quilt, but until then, here are a few excellent resources:

Perfect Binding Tutorial from Jaybird Quilts

How to Sew a Mitered Quilt Binding from About.com: Quilting

Step 4: Enjoy your precious new quilt! :)

Crazy Quilted Wrist Pincushion Tutorial

 

Now say that title three times fast! I took some inspiration from Barbara Randle, and made my first crazy quilt block ever. Instead of making a throw or a bag, I decided to make a wrist pincushion. It's a wonderful thing to have, and I don't think I'll ever go back to my "Mater"--as I so lovingly called my old pincushion--again. It is an excellent way to use those swatches of home decor fabrics I have no need for but don't have the heart to throw away, either. If you'd like to make one, here's what I did...

Materials:

4"x4" scrap quilting cotton, muslin or other sturdy fabric for foundation

6 or more swatches home decor fabric cut into assorted 1" and 3/4" strips (3"-6" in length)

4"x4" square coordinating home decor fabric

4.5"x15.5" fabric for arm band (can be longer or shorter to fit wrist)*

Velcro*

poly fill or other material for stuffing your pincushion

Note: I used 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise specified.

*Instead of making a fabric band, you could use elastic, a plastic bracelet, etc.

1. Cut a 1.5" square from decorator fabric scraps for center piece (can be larger or smaller to accommodate print size or taste).

2. Sew the 1.5" square to the center of the 4"x4" piece of foundation fabric using a 1/8" seam allowance.

3. Paper piece the strips onto your foundation fabric. If you need more help, keep reading. If not, skip to step 4.

Take one strip of the home decor fabric and sew it to one side of the 1.5" square, right sides together.

You can cut your strips to the correct length before sewing them on, but I like to save time by sewing them on and then trimming the excess.

Fold the strip back so that the right sides of both fabrics are facing up. Press the seam open.

Continue attaching the strips in the same way, working your way around the center square and pressing your seams open.

4. Turn the block upside down so that the back of the foundation fabric is facing you. Sew around the edge of the foundation fabric to secure the paper piecing.

5. Trim the excess fabric from around the foundation. I even trimmed off a bit of the foundation fabric as well.

6. Embellish as desired. I used some embroidery stitches on my machine to sew over some of the seams and Perle 5 cotton for some hand stitching.

7. Place both 4"x4" squares with right sides together (the quilted square should actually be smaller by this point). Sew the squares together using a 1/4" seam allowance from the edge of your crazy quilted square. Be sure to leave a 1.5" opening for turning and stuffing your pincushion.

8. Make the wrist band.

Take your large piece of fabric and fold it in half lengthwise. Finger press and open. Now turn each long side in so that it lines up with the crease. Press.

Now fold the fabric in half lengthwise again. Press.

Sew lengthwise on both sides of the band using a 3/16" seam allowance.

Trim Velcro and arm band to desired size. The band should be about 1/2" to 1" longer than the desired finished length.

Fold over one short end of the band, place Velcro over fold, and attach Velcro by sewing on all sides. I just like to sew right near the edges. This secures the unfinished end as well.

(And, please excuse my horribly blurry photo!!)

**Turn the wristband over** so that your first piece of Velcro is facing the table and repeat with the other piece of Velcro. This will allow the Velcro to connect properly.

9. Trim the corners, and turn pincushion right sides out.

10. Sew wristband to the bottom of the pincushion by hand using a running stitch (or other stitch of your choice).

11. Stuff your pincushion and whip stitch the opening closed.

Congratulations, you did it!

Please let me know if you have questions by leaving a comment or sending me an email. I'd be glad to help in any way I can!