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Projects Made in the Hoop - Purse-abilities
by Anne Jennens from The Purple Hat.
The panels for the purse are made in the hoop. They are then assembled using your sewing machine and/or by hand.
Supplies
• Water-soluble Vilene (use two layers per panel)
• Fabric for bag panel top and lining – I used quilting cottons, but you can experiment with different types, e.g. denim, satin, light upholstery fabrics
• Light weight batting or felt
• Embroidery threads
• Embroidery adhesive spray (optional)
• Button or your choice of closure
• Bag handles
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Shown below are the embroidered panels for Purse-ability 04. I have already joined the front and back panels, including the flap, as well as the gusset panels. Use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine (suggested W = 3.5 L = 1). When making a bag using Panel 03 (left and right) the corresponding gusset section is gusset 01 and 02 sewn together to make it long enough to fit around the curved edge.
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Now sew on the gusset strip. I normally start stitching from the bottom middle and work my way up to the top edge. Shown below is the gusset strip in the process of being attached to the bag front.
The gusset has been attached to the bag front. The satin stitch borders should line up neatly. The next step is to sew the bag back panel to the gusset strip. This can be done by machine or by hand, depending on your own preference. I did mine by hand.
Bag bottom corner shown below.
And there it is .. all sewn together.
Slit through the optional buttonhole on the flap to find your button position and sew on your button. I covered buttons in matching fabric for my purses.
Lastly, add the handles. There are so many options - fabric, webbing, beads, cord, chain, a store-bought handle. Gusset 01 can also be used to make a handle. Just decide what length is required and work out how many times to stitch out the design to achieve that length.
I inserted gold eyelets on the top edges of the gusset panels using an eyelet pliers. The big bag has a black cord handle and the small purse has a beaded handle.
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