Charming Handbag

one charm pack-Objects of Desire, by Sandy Gervais-or any charm pack with at least 32 squares

2/3 yard denim or chambray
two 18" squares of quilt batting
1 1/2 yards (22" wide) iron on interfacing, if desired. (i used a lightweight Pellon interfacing.)
magnetic snap closure (optional)
template plastic-4.5" x 11", with corners rounded

choose 16 charms for each side of the bag and layout in a pleasing arrangement

trim each charm square down to 4.5" square
assemble squares into a 16 patch block using a 1/4" seam allowance, pressing well.

layer each quilt block onto a piece of batting. it is optional to use a piece of fabric on the back of your quilt sandwich. for this bag i chose to quilt it without a backing, as it will be enclosed inside the purse. (i have constructed these bags with and without a backing and both ways work great.)

quilt as desired. i chose a simple stipple in cream thread.
repeat for other piece of patchwork.

trim off excess edges and square up each piece to 16.5".

pin the front to the back, right sides together, and sew around 3 sides with a 1/4" seam allowance.

the inside should look something like this.

next, we will box out the edges to give the bag some depth. to do this, open up the bag and pull the sides apart until the sides of the purse form a triangle. measure 2" down from the point of the seam, mark a line.

pin and sew on the line.
trim off the triangles about 1/4" from the marked line

repeat on the other side.

turn the bag right side out. it should look something like this. set aside for now.

cut 2 squares of chambray 16.5" for the lining, and two rectangles that measure 4.5" x 20" for the handles. interface if desired.

at this point, add pockets (if desired) and magnetic snap (also optional) to the lining.

to construct the lining, sew the two squares of chambray together on 3 sides, leaving a 4-5" gap in the center of the bottom of the bag to allow you to turn your bag later.

box out the corners as you did with the exterior of the bag, using the same process.

now, make your handles from the rectangles.

fold in half lengthwise and press.
open and press each side (again lengthwise) in toward the center fold line. then fold in half and press again, which will encase the raw edges inside the handles. pin well.

top stitch on either side of the straps to complete your handles.

to position handle, measure in 4.5" from each side and pin handle in place. make sure that the strap is not twisted.
tack the handles onto the main body of the bag. this step saves the need for excessive pinning later on.

place the outside of the bag (which is right side out) inside the lining (which is inside out) and line up the edges. make sure the handles are inside of the bag at this point.

pin well around the perimeter of the bag. sew together using a 1/4" seam allowance.

turn the bag right side out (through the gap left open for turning) and finger press the seam around the top of the bag.

top stitch around the perimeter of the bag using a scant seam allowance. a walking foot is very helpful for this step.

insert the piece of template plastic through the gap that you left for turning and arrange it in the bottom of the bag. (it will be enclosed inside the purse between the lining and the outside of the bag.) this helps the bag retain it's shape.

pin and stitch close the opening that you used for turning. readjust the position of the template plastic if necessary.

and you are done!

one cute handbag that measures 12" wide, 14" high and 4.5" deep.

tutorial by amandajean of crazymomquilts