Embroidered Purse Project
Add a fabulous floral embroidered motif to a simple envelope purse for real wow factor. Whether you use for stowing your small change or make for a gift, this sweet purse is sure to please.
Materials
Low volume cotton, outer fabric - fat quarter
Pint cotton, inner fabric - fat quarter
Vlieseline F220 -15cm x 30cm
Embroidery threads in shades:
ANC 90
DMC 562
ANC110
ANC 92
ANC214
Embroidery needle
Embroidery hoop
Pins
Snap Fastener
Rotary cutter, ruler & cutting mat
Embroidery pencil or water erasable pen
Scissors
Sewing machine
Iron & ironing board
Finished measurements
12cm x 10cm
Pattern Note
1cm seam allowance
Pattern - Purse template
1 Mark out the design
Using the template for the purse, mark out the outer edges of the purse shape. Using the embroidery template, begin marking out the embroidery design. You can place the template under the fabric and trace the motif. Alternatively, layer the fabric over the template and tape to a window to create a lightbox effect to trace the design.
Refer to the Illustrations for Woven Roses, Herringbone Leaf & French Knots from the Sampler Project
2 Stitch the embroidery
Secure the fabric into an embroidery hoop, ensure the fabric is drawn across the hoop to create an even, taut sewing surface.
Working in a range of threads, begin stitching the design. This motif uses Woven Roses, Herringbone Leaf & French Knots the instructions for all of these stitches can be found in our embroidered sampler tutorial.
3 Trim the purse
Once the design is completed, neatly trim around the outline for the purse, leaving a 1cm border. The guideline that you have drawn will become the stitching line. Repeat to trim the interfacing to the same size.
4 Fuse the interfacing
With the embroidered panel WS uppermost, place the interfacing on top and carefully fuse into place following the manufacturers instructions.
Tip
Trim all the ends of the embroidery threads at the back of the work neatly before pressing the interfacing into place as this will give a neater finish.
5 Prepare the lining
Using the embroidered panel as a guide, neatly trim the lining fabric to the same shape.
6 Secure the snap fastener
Carefully mark out the position of one element of the snap fastener onto the lining fabric. Ensure that it is positioned centrally and away from the stitching lines. Secure in place and set the second part of the snap fastener aside.
7 Sew the purse
Position the embroidered panel and the lining together with RS facing and pin neatly in place. Join together with a straight machine stitch taking a 1cm seam allowance. Leave a small gap in one of the side seams for turning through.
8 Neaten the seam allowances
Carefully trim down the seam allowances and clip the corners. Around the curved section of the purse end, carefully snip small ‘V” shapes into the seam allowance.
9 Turn the purse through
Turn the purse through to the right side through the gap in the seam. Neatly press and ensure that the seam allowance in the gap is pressed inwards. Avoid pressing directly over the embroidery.
Tip
Pressing directly over embroidery stitches can cause damage to the threads and warp the design. To protect the stitches cover with a pressing cloth before pressing.
10 Complete the purse
Following the fold line on the pattern template, fold the lower portion of the purse up and pin in place. Secure the two side seams of the purse with a straight machine stitch, taking a 0.5cm seam allowance. Reinforce the upper sections securely. Finish the purse by securing the remaining portion fo the snap fastening in place onto the front mart of the purse to correspond to the first part.
Bio
Laura Strutt is a designer maker and the author of a number of craft books for sewing, knitting, crochet, weaving, embroidery and more! For further details on books visit Amazon Author Central.
Website: www.madepeachy.com
Twitter: @madepeachy
Instagram: @madepeachy
Facebook: madepeachy
Pinterest: @madepeachy
Want to expand your embroidery stitch reportoire? Try our embroidered sampler tutorial.
