Stitching With 2 Strings: Summer Purse: Part 3

The assembly of the bag is an exciting sewing session. All of those prepared sections come together and you can see what the finished purse will look like.

From here on out you'll notice that some photos are of the hexi design and others are of the blue bag. I've tried to choose the best photos I have.

Make the Handles

Note: I continued to use Soft and Stable batting for the handles. The thickness and texture are very comfortable on my shoulder, and the material holds it shape well over time.

I'm most comfortable with 24" handles, and the measurements shown here are those I used. Make your handles a length that suits you. You might measure the length of the handles on your favorite purse to determine the length you like best. You may want them longer or shorter than mine. The width measurements will likely remain the same as above, but cut the length 1" longer than you would like the finished handles to be.

1. Starch and press the handle fabric. Fold one edge over 1/4" and press a sharp crease.

2. Lay the batting on the fabric. Fold the segment with the crease over the top of the batting. It should come almost, but not quite, to the other edge. Press a crease.

3. Lift the top fold of the fabric. Now fold the bottom piece of fabric up over the edge of the batting. Press. Fold the top of the fabric back down over the raw edge and press. If you are using Soft and Stable, the fabric should cling to the batting enough that you won't need to pin it.

4. Top stitch about 1/4" in from both edges. Sew the overlapping edge down first, making sure that you are catching all layers of fabric. Stitch the other side to match.

Set the handles aside..

Assemble the Bag

Note: All seams use 1/2" seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

1. Sew the sides of the bag to the front section. Press the seams open.

2. Sew the back piece to the side panels. Press seams open.

Sew the bottom of the bag in place.
Be careful that you don't make the mistake I made on the hexi bag. When the bottom was completely sewn in place I turned the bag right side out and discovered that I'd sewn the bottom piece to the top of the bag. Gotta love that seam ripper.

3. Mark a dot 1/2" inch in from both sides on each corner of the bottom of the bag.

4. Sew a long side of the bag bottom in place first. Line the dots up so they are exactly on the center of the seams where the front of the bag joins the sides. Pin in place. Stitch from one dot to the next. Don't sew beyond the either dot. Backstitch a few stitches at each dot.

5. Sew the other long end of the bottom to the back of the bag in the same way.

6. Sew the short ends of the bag to the side sections. You will have to tug the corners straight and pin in place, then stitch from one dot to the next just like you did on the long sides.


Stitched all the way around.

7. Turn the bag right side out.

8. Fold on the seams of the sides and bottom of the bag, and press with steam to give them those edges sharp creases and squared corners.

Before pressing After pressing

Attach the Handles

9. Start with the front of the bag. Align the outside edge of the handle with the seam of the pocket and the front side panels.

10. Pin the front handle in place.

Check to make sure that the handle is not twisted. I like to turn the side with the folded edge face up.That will place it on the underside of the handle.

11. To position the back handle, align the seams of the sides and pinch the front and back of the bag together. Place the back handle exactly in line with the front handle and pin.