How to Create Your Own Patterns for Sewing Purses

How to Create Your Own Patterns for Sewing Bags

by Karla Fidoe (owner and maker of Pop of Color Bags)

Every woman has done it. Found a perfect purse in a department store, splurged on it, and after a few days of carrying it, you find yourself on the hunt for a new purse. The reason? You love the look of the bag, but it has too many pockets, not enough pockets, the zipper is hard to reach, etc. Each person has a specific idea of the perfect purse, and the only way to get it is to make it or have it custom made.

I have an obsession with accessories. Every time I shop, I wind up in the handbag department. My love of bags and purses meant that I was always on the hunt for that mythical purse that solved all of my problems. I want to be organized, but I hate having a million pockets because I can't remember which pocket has my lip balm. I like a bag with structure, but don't want it to weigh a million pounds. My favorite bags have spunky linings - fabric that is unexpected by just looking at the outside.
I realized, I could have the perfect bag...if I made it. Since I can sew, I stopped looking in department stores and started haunting the fabric stores for my perfect purse.

1. Identify a problem you would like to solve.

I am currently in love with the look of layering textures with an eye on fall fashion. I layer a lot of different patterns, and even some different textured fabrics with my purses, but none of them scream, "Autumn!" My problem is that I want that chunky layer look. I want a purse that can transition from fall to winter, have a boho eclectic style, and be something that is different.

2. Choose a geometric shape for the exterior.

Okay, I lied a little when I said create your own pattern. When I think of a pattern, I think of the flimsy trace paper. That's not what I mean by pattern - I pattern by using a geometric shape I can recreate just by measuring. This means no pattern weights, tracing, or trying to refold those huge sheets of weird shapes!
My favorite type of purse is a wristlet. I'm going to use the rectangular shape to build an autumn, boho eclectic purse. I would like it to be 12" wide and 6.5" tall so I'll cut my rectangles 13" x 7".

3. Choose your fabrics.

I want a layered fall look, so I decide to cut up a scarf I crocheted. (I'm not totally sure this will work, but that is what step 6 is for!)

To layer, I have 27" of embroidered jacquard ribbon that I've been dying to use. Sewing the trim directly onto the crocheted yarn seems like it will give it a lumpy look, so I'm choosing an oilcloth fabric as a top layer. (This also allows me to attach a zipper without worrying about sewing it to the crochet piece). 

And my final exterior selection is meant to add a flair of Boho - I'm adding a tassel trim to the bottom of the oilcloth to help transition from fabric to the crochet piece.

For the interior, I'm using outdoor fabric because it will hold its shape, which will be important for the crochet scarf piece.

4. Decide steps to sew.

Adding decorative trim is easier when there is less bulk, so I decide to start with attaching the tassels to the oilcloth. Next, I sew on the jacquard ribbon trim.

Because the scarf has fraying ends, I want to add it last so it's not handled as much. So I take the oilcloth with added trim, and the interior fabric, and sew the zipper. I also will use a leftover piece of the jacquard ribbon as my d-ring attachment for a wrist strap.

I then attach the crochet piece to the oilcloth, and can finish the bag by sewing all of the edges as normal.

5. Sew!

I make a note in my sketch book that the next time I try this, I would like to top stitch the crochet pieces to a piece of sturdy fabric to give it more shape. I would also crochet rectangles so I wouldn't have to worry about unfinished edges or unraveling. Otherwise, I would make it the same way.

6. Test.

Because I make purses for my Etsy shop, Pop of Color Bags, I always make a bag for myself to test for a few weeks before I reproduce the design for my shop. In this way, I can find the flaws, or refine the function of the bag.

Have an idea for your perfect purse, but not sure how to proceed? Leave a comment or question and I'll be glad to lend my sewing expertise to help you design your perfect purse. Or, feel free to visit my Etsy shop and I'll happily custom make your perfect bag!