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Monday, July 27, 2009

envelope purse: a tutorial

What an enthusiastic response you gave to my natural first aid kit! I know many of you are excited to make one of your own, especially since they are quick and easy. These little purses are far too handy to carry just band-aids and remedies. I'm sure you'll come up with tons of different uses and innovative customizations. I'd love to see them, so please consider adding photos to the flickr group... there are some great things happening over there!

Envelope Purse
Need:
-two rectangles of fabric measuring 7x15 inches
-button (covering your own buttons is fun, find kits like this on Etsy!)
-elastic cord or hair band
-thread

Make:
1. Place fabric right side to right side and fold in half length-wise.
2. Cut on an angle from the fold to 2 inches down the side. Use a straight edge.

3. Pin the elastic between the two layers at the top point. See photo. Pin the rest of the purse.

4. Sew around the perimeter (1/4 inch seam allowance), leaving several inches open for turning at the bottom.
5. Clip corners, careful not to cut too close to seams.
6. Turn so that the right sides are now out and press with an iron.


7. Sew shut the bottom. Use a decorative stitch or zigzag if you feel inspired.
8. Fold up the bottom to form your pocket and pin. You choose how far up you want it to go.
9. Starting at the bottom, sew up one side. Back stitch at the place where the fold ends to secure it. Continue around the entire envelope, remembering to back stitch the other side where the fold begins. I did not stitch the bottom, but you may choose to.


10. Fold over the top of the envelope and attach button.


Done! Wasn't that quick? Don't you want to make a dozen?! A great suggestion from one of your lovely comments was to add belt loops so that you could carry your kit hands free if you were hiking or chasing kids around a playground. I gave it a try...

and when I looked for a model, only my nephew was wearing a belt. Seeing it on him made me realize how perfect this adaption is for men, who rarely have a handbag to toss a first aid kit into.

Happy summer sewing!
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38 comments:

  1. Julie AlvarezJuly 27, 2009 at 11:30 PM

    Hey! I like them very much.
    And I did something similar to this a while ago, and people loved them too, here! (they were meant with a slightly different purpose, though...)
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3664841559/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3665644786/

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  2. KirstyJuly 27, 2009 at 11:42 PM

    They're lovely maya.

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  3. ♥ tmJuly 28, 2009 at 5:07 AM

    Uuauauu
    Looks great and it's not dificult at all.
    Thank you for sharing.
    :)

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  4. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 5:41 AM

    beautiful maya! I will try it, thanx very much :)!

    Julie a las tuyas tambien las veo utiles para meter panyales :)

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  5. Margie OomenJuly 28, 2009 at 6:41 AM

    This is such a rewarding small project for beginners. Thanks so much Maya for finding the time to post this. Hope you are having a great time with your family.

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  6. KayrenJuly 28, 2009 at 6:47 AM

    You did an excellent job with the tutorial! I'm very visual and I'll be able to follow this. Can't wait to try it!

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  7. LoriJuly 28, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    Thank you! Very lovely. Now if I only had a sewing machine...ha ha

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  8. EnchantedmamaJuly 28, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    Look forward to trying this. I love the linen and the ticking fabric. Love, Love, Love, it.

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  9. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 11:13 AM

    So easy - thank you!! I need small and easy right now. :)

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  10. BrittanyJuly 28, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    Ooh Maya! Thank you oh so much!

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  11. Journeying FiveJuly 28, 2009 at 11:19 AM

    great tutorial, thanks a bunch!

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  12. mamakJuly 28, 2009 at 11:27 AM

    these are just perfect! thank you for the wonderful tutorial!

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  13. WendyJuly 28, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    Very cute little bag, perfect to wrap a small gift in! 2 presents in 1 -
    Thanks for the tut!

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  14. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 2:53 PM

    Wonderful Tutorial! Just want I've been needed.

    I'll change the size abit to turn it into a small diaper pouch. With 4 kidlets, I find I need something like this for each child. It helps to keep my purse organized and I'm not carrying several diaper bags at once.

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  15. ShaletJuly 28, 2009 at 3:45 PM

    So cool and so simple! I'm going to have to make a few of these ... I'm especially in love with the buttons!

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  16. Laura-IHJuly 28, 2009 at 5:03 PM

    Oh, so cute! I want to make one!

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  17. NikoJuly 28, 2009 at 7:28 PM

    Perfect! Thank you. Now I have a borrowed sewing machine, some scraps of fabric, and great instructions from you...I'm going to get started!!

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  18. FancyMamaJuly 28, 2009 at 10:45 PM

    Thank you for this tutorial. Now I have something to do with all my leftover fabric scraps! I think I will even make a little purse out of this for my little girl!

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  19. Christine at Origami MommyJuly 29, 2009 at 2:12 AM

    This is a really wonderful tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing it. I see lots of uses for this.....and it's a wonderful way to use up little leftover scraps of fabric.

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  20. Eliane ZimmermannJuly 29, 2009 at 6:37 AM

    great tut! this looks perfect 1) for my weekish sewing mashine 2) for my many trips as I have to commute between my home in Ireland and the German language countries to teach aromatherapy. one purse for first-aid-oils, one purse for my favourites used as natural perfume, one for tampons etc, one for sewing accessories, one for watct, alarm and jewelry, one for normal remedies, one for manicure stuff [weapons], one for bills and other annoying tax-related paperwork, one for a bit of stationery... oh I have to leave a bit of space for clothing!

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  21. alisonJuly 29, 2009 at 10:27 AM

    i love this! thanks for the tutorial.

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  22. EglentyneJuly 29, 2009 at 10:37 AM

    Oh I love this. Could make a lovely reusable wrapper for a small gift. Or with the belt loops, hold an adventure kit for kids. Thank you so much for the tutorial!

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  23. UnknownJuly 29, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    super cute!

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  24. marysworkshopJuly 29, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    What an awesomely cute project and very practical, too. Thanks for sharing it.

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  25. michelle@somedaycraftsJuly 29, 2009 at 6:01 PM

    cute! small! Perfect!!! I linked to this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

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  26. AnonymousJuly 29, 2009 at 6:48 PM

    I made up 4 of the size you have recommended here in your tutorial. I discovered that they are just right for a CD...great "gift wrap" option for a musical present you may be giving someone.

    Also, I have made a smaller version of this pouch and it holds two or three tea bags very nicely. These will fit nicely into birthday/get well cards to bless someone's day.

    Thanks for the idea!

    Kelly in MN

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  27. Rachel@oneprettything.comJuly 29, 2009 at 11:38 PM

    Wow, it's beautiful! So useful for so many things, I love that! I'll be linking.

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  28. mamakJuly 30, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    ok,I made one yesterday and it turned out great! thank you soo much for taking the time to share your wonderful ideas!

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  29. Ribbonwood CottageJuly 31, 2009 at 12:04 AM

    I've never been to your blog...what a treat it is. I love this little purse, tote, you made. It is wonderful! I love to sew and think this is a great and quick little something to make!
    Blessings,
    Debbie

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  30. ZoeAugust 2, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    Cant wait to make one, its super cute!!!

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  31. WendiAugust 2, 2009 at 9:19 PM

    That was a great tutorial!
    This would be a wonderful gift idea for a new mom!

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  32. pleasuresAugust 11, 2009 at 12:18 PM

    I really like hand-made things. They look very original!

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  33. TingalingAugust 16, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    Hi! Thank you so much for the tutorial! I made a couple - just wish mine looked as good as yours! The post will be up tomorrow (8/17) here: http://tingaling.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/css/

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  34. Marta DinizOctober 26, 2009 at 1:58 PM

    Congratulations!!! Your blog is wonderful! Very original!
    Thanks for the tut. It's cute! I want to make one.

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  35. sferDecember 27, 2009 at 2:53 PM

    Made two this morning, and added a link to your tutorial (http://molacoser.blogspot.com/2009/12/monederos-musicales.html). Easiest purses ever, and so cute! Thanks :-)

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  36. Jen PriceOctober 24, 2010 at 4:06 PM

    I love this little purse! I write for a site called Today's Mama (www.todaysmama.com). I am currently writing a series on Christmas Crafting. I wanted to link to this tutorial and also ask your permission to use one of your photos in the post. Let me know! Thanks!

    jeremynjenprice (at) gmail (dot) com

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  37. first aidMarch 22, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    nice post. thanks for sharing

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  38. Edhini SenastriSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    cool..thank you for share this tutorial :).

    rgds,
    Edhini

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