7 Reasons to Start Sewing Bags and Purses

7 Reasons to Start Sewing Bags and Purses

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

7. Time

30 minutes of sewing and I have a
Bow Hand Strap Clutch!

I don't know about you, but sewing a dress is a whole day project for me. (Usually, it's more than that because I procrastinate a few days about hemming the dress because it's my least favorite thing to do!) Sewing a bag takes me an hour - complete with cutting the fabric, ironing between steps, and any finishing touches.

6. Cost

I have this idea in my head that people sew because it is cheaper than buying store made items. I'm not sure where I got this idea, because as a sewist, I know how expensive fabric can be! Even with coupons and sales, jersey knit fabrics cost $15 or more. It also takes more than one yard to make many clothing items.

This price doesn't include using a coupon along with the sale price. This is from Joann's Fabric.

Many of the fabrics used for making bags is less than $10, and two yards can yield up to 8 bags! 

5. Mastery of Skills

Sewing jersey knits, or any fabric with stretch, takes a special talent (and a lot of patience!). Reading and following patterns, darts, hemming, necklines, armholes, etc. are all techniques commonly used when sewing apparel.

Straight seam along zipper and top of hand strap.
Using a color matching thread really camouflages
any small imperfections 😄

What skills do you need for sewing a bag? You need to be able to change your sewing machine needle, cut out a rectangle, and sew a straight line. That's it. Of course, as you progress, you add skills like sewing a zipper, using interfacing, sewing curves, and adding trim, but in reality, sewing a straight line is the biggest skill you need.

4. Elegance 

Me during Derby week at
Churchill Downs

I came across this article on Pinterest, "How to Look Effortlessly Elegant All the Time." The section on Accessories resonated with me because I truly see my purse as my final accessory. If my handbag makes a statement, I look put together. It's the act of a final thought before I walk out the door that helps to make me feel elegant. If I feel elegant, then I project that confidence. (If you've read the article, I'm sure you are trying to imagine what accessory I could have possibly taken off for the Chanel theory that less is more! 😂)

3. Gifts to Give

I gave everyone tote bags 4 years ago for Christmas.
They were a big hit and are still in use today!

The first picture to pop into my mind when I think of a handmade gift is the sweaters Grandma used to knit and give as Christmas gifts. Sewing a purse is definitely not that! Instead, it encompasses a functional gift that is personalized for the receiver. If you have mastered sewing a straight line, then your handmade gift will look professionally done, and be appreciated for your craftsmanship. 

2. Versatility

Most bags have the same rectangular shape - a crossbody, wristlet, clutch, and tote bag to name a few.  Once you have mastered sewing a straight line and cutting out a rectangle, you can play with your purse designs.
Add a pocket in an unusual way - like my favorite wristlet clutches with a diagonal phone pockets. You can mix patterns and prints to create a one of a kind bag. You can add trim and change the style of a bag. The skies the limit when you start designing!
A great example is the Hand Strap Clutch.  It's a variation on a zipper pouch - just look at all the ways one change can make the bag feel like a different style.

1. Individuality

A bag or purse always fits is one of my life mottoes. A store bought tote or wristlet is almost always made in leather of one color. The lining is a satin version of the outside color. Boring! When you sew your own bag, you can choose to mix and match prints, find an outside faux leather and an inside lining in a cotton print, whatever your heart desires! I for one, love a
Pop of Color 😉

Have ideas to add to my list? Leave a comment!

Sewing Bags and Purses: A Neglected Niche

Why You Should be Sewing Bags and Purses

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

The Background

Yes, I can sew clothes. In fact, that is how I learned to sew - participating in 4-H fashion shows in outfits made from patterns. I don't sew many clothes for myself for two simple reasons: 1. I gain and lose weight like it's a competition and I'm going for gold. 2. It's more expensive than hitting up Old Navy during a sale.

During my first year of teaching in Durham, NC, I met a fiery teacher with the most outrageous (and enviable) shoe collection I've ever seen. It was definitely her signature. I asked her what led to such an unusual collection. Her response has stuck with me 17 years later - "I lived in Japan for a while. As a plus sized girl, the only thing that ever fit were the shoes." That comment led to my shopping philosophy. Never invest too much in one piece of clothing because size and fashion changes. A purse or shoes always fit!

I have a very eclectic fashion sense. I like to stand in front of the mirror in the morning, gauging if my outfit is ready for the world. I ask myself, "Is this too much, or just enough?" If I gauge my outfit as too much, I change something about it. If I gauge it as just enough crazy, in my opinion, that means it's an 11 out of 10 on the crazy scale, I know it's going to be a good day. I can pick up print tops and bottoms for way less than it takes to make them. I also believe it takes an artist to be able to mix and match prints and patterns so they look like they belong together and I want to show my skills in separates rather than sewing a dress with the same mash up.

Why you should be sewing bags and purses

Think about the outfit you wear which brings the most compliments. It's most likely not all one color and mass produced. Everyone around you isn't wearing the same exact outfit with the same exact jewelry. What makes the outfit compliment worthy? It reflects your individuality! So why do we settle for mass produced, look alike purses? We shouldn't!

My next reason is purely financial. I do most of my fabric shopping at Joann's - taking advantage of their sales and coupons. Plus, I can touch everything (the feel of the fabric helps me determine what I'll be able to do with it. A description on a website is not quite the same as seeing it in person!) If I want to make an above the knee, short sleeve swing dress, I would need close to 2 yards of fabric. Even on sale, I'm going to pay more than $10/yd. So, the dress would cost me $20 and a few hours.

Let's say I use the same fabric as pictured and decide to make wristlets measuring 10" x 6.5" x 0.5" instead. A yard would yield 4 bags, including pockets and a detachable wrist strap. I would also have a few scraps leftover to use for small coin pouches or these adorable wallets. Financially, it is more cost effective to sew a bag versus an article of clothing.

Convinced?

My sewing blog is dedicated to the styles and fashions of diy bags and purses. Join me on my adventures into creativity and help this niche shine! 

Want to see more of my work? Head on over to Pop of Color Bags or check out another sewing tutorial.