Monday, February 22, 2010

place mat purse tutorial - three projects in one


Our sweet friend whipped up this cute bag for her teenage daughter. It is a great compact bag and super easy to make. We were able to create one just like it without a pattern and having seen it only once. As we were sewing this project we realized that you could really turn it into three projects--a cute carrier and two different style purses.

Place Mat Purse Tutorial

You will need:

*One place mat
*Coordinating ribbon
*Purse handles
*Sewing machine


First, cut your ribbon into two 8 1/2 inch pieces.



Thread the ribbon through the purse handles and pin it to one short end of your place mat. Use a measuring tape to center your handles.


Sew them on.


Next, cut two pieces of ribbon the width of your place mat and sew it across. This will cover up the raw edges of the first two pieces of ribbon. If you stop here, you will have a cute carrier. This is similar to the big leather carriers that is used to carry firewood into your house. This by no means will be sturdy enough to carry firewood, but would make a wonderful carrier for things like garden flowers. Just take it outside open it up and lay your flower clippings in it. When you are done gathering flowers or whatever you can pull it up by the handles and you have a carrier.

If you want to make it a purse, match your handles up with your fabric right sides together, or, if you have a double sided place mat, make sure the print you want on the outside of your bag is inside. Sew both sides of the bag.


This is a cute, flat purse.

If you want a boxier bottom then before turning your purse right side out, pinch up the corners and stitch across.


Like so:


Trim the corner off and turn right side out. Now you have a cute purse with a boxy bottom.

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32 Comments

32 Responses to “place mat purse tutorial - three projects in one”

CHELZERS said...

that's super cute! My mother in law has a TON of placemats she has never used. My girls would LOVE them. Thanks so much!

Lia said...

how cutee

Anonymous said...

I always thought bags were difficult to make, but you have made it look so easy! Love the placemat that you chose, very cute!

Amy said...

That's so cute! I plan on buying my first sewing maching this week so I may have to give this a try. Hopefully it's not too hard for a beginner.

Heidi said...

Fun! I think my daughter would love making this on her cute little hello kitty sewing matchine :)

Anonymous said...

Very cute. I like the boxy version, it looks a bit more stable.

Aga said...

Lovely bag!

Name Nazi said...

If I'm thinking correctly, you do need four pieces of ribbon ... two for each handle? Or else you'd only have a handle on one side of the purse?

debbie susee said...

Sew cute! :)

Anonymous said...

That's neat! I might try this one :)

Melissa Marie said...

How cute is that!? Love it... what a great tutorial, too! :)

QuiltNut Creations said...

sooo cute! i love it

Little Birdie Secrets said...

Yes Name Nazi, you are right. oops. I changed the tutorial back to four. What was I thinking? hee :)

Serena said...

where did you find your cute placemat? I made one of these about 6 months ago but couldn't find any "cute" placemats. So I ended up making it with a plain placemat and used cute patterned ribbon.

Lori said...

Cute...cute...I can just imagine making some cute ones for Spring and Summer now!

Sarah said...

This is so cute, thanks for sharing how to make it!

The six of us! said...

It doesn't get any easier than this!!! I have a few nieces that would love a new purse! Thanks for the info!!!

Ange said...

Cute Idea ! I see this being a mother's day gift for me to make. Thanks for the info :)

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

That s super cute! Thanks so much, I'll be linking.

Little Birdie Secrets said...

I found the placemat at Ross. I also grabbed one at Macy's the other day. It is hard to find cute placemats for sure. Try Pottery Barn, Target or Crate and Barrel.

Amie said...

I LOVE this! I went out right away to look for cute placemats but I couldn't find any I liked. Where did you get that one?

teaginny said...

best. idea. ever. so simple and cute!!

Very Shannon said...

Great idea and so cute! I couldn't resist adding this to our "link luv roundup" today, come by for a peek! http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2010/02/link-luv-roundup_24.html

P.s. We have featured on luvinthemommyhood buttons now if you would like one for your pretty blog let me know and I'll send one your way :)

Dana said...

Love this cute bag...humm I wonder if I can find a cute placemat like what you used. I'll have to look around. Thanks for posting. Oh, I found you via "One Pretty Thing".

craftykitty said...

Oh my gosh, that is adorable! I wish I could sew. Sewing machines and I do NOT get along, lol! We fight every time we get together. ;-)

Pink Purse Creative said...

I love this tutorial and wanted to let you know that I found it through One Pretty Thing and added my own post with ideas on placemats that builds on your project. Here's the link and I can't wait to make my own! Thanks! http://pinkpursecreative.blogspot.com/2010/02/diy-placemat-purse-little-birdie.html

Robins Fam said...

I just made this today, and it was so fast, simple and adorable!! I have been looking for a simple pattern to make my daughter a scripture case, and here it is. Thanks for posting!

ificould said...

I've been wanting to make one of these for a while - thanks for the tute!
I posted a link: http://ificould-ificould.blogspot.com/2010/04/place-mat-purse.html

Thanks again!
Missy

Supermommy...Sometimes said...

Check at Thrifty store for place mats, you could always cover a stain with a pretty bow/flower... just wash and iron it first. Also, check clearance area's you only need on placemat, and the one's w/o mate's are usually on clearance...

Andrea Cruice said...

love love love these!!!!!

Buttons, Bows 'n more said...

where can you buy cheap purse handles...i am making purses to sell and want to keep my cost as low as possible to keep my price low also.???

Buttons, Bows 'n more said...

where can you get the handles cheap?
love it!

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