Pillowcase or a purse?

I had these really pretty pillowcases that I had saved to be used for a future project together. I just didn't know what to make. But then I found a pattern for a bag. It was really intimidating and I wasn't sure if I could make something that complicated.

Here are the two pillowcases laid out. The solid one would be the lining and the flowered one is the exterior.

Take the exterior pillow case and remove the side seams.

Cut out two pieces of fabric that will be used for the exterior of the bag. Match them as close as possible.

With the same fabric cut out two more pieces that will be used for inside pockets.

Cut out two more pieces the length of your pillowcase to be used as handles. They are about 1 inch in width.

Cut out ten pieces of fabric in the shape of a petal. You will match up two pieces to make up one petal.

On to the next pillow case. The above two strips of fabric that I cut out are used for the outside, top part of the bag. It acts as a closer as well as an accent color. If you notice it is slightly arched at the top so that when it is sew it has a nicer shape.

That is the lining. 4 pieces need to be cut out of the solid colored pillowcase. I just measured against the exterior of the bag to get an approximate size. The tops needs to be slim for the opening and then wider at the bottom.

And those are all the pieces that make up the bag. Now onto the fun part, putting it altogether.

Now, back to the exterior of the bag. Take your pins and make three pleats on each side of the bag. Sew them in place. It makes the bag have a more finished look.

Attach and sew on the two pieces of solid fabric to the top of the exterior fabrics. Then sew the bag altogether. Line each piece of exterior so that the wrong side is out. Sew all around leaving the top open.

While the bag is inside out take the bottom corners of the bag and fold them in. Sew a diagonal line to secure it in place. This makes the bag look more rounded instead of having sharp corners. Turn the bag right side out.

Sew all the pieces of the lining together. Once all four are together sew on the pockets BEFORE you place it in the bag.

Put the lining in the bag and sew around the top edge to secure.

Sew on the handles.

Sew each petal inside out then turn it the right side out. Attach all 5 petals to the bag on whichever side you choose. Add a decorative button in the middle to hide your stitches.

And VOILA a brand new summer bag. It is great for throwing some snacks in, an extra shoe bag, purse, or....



As a beach bag like I did when I was in Hawaii.


I was kinda of shy about using something I had made out in public when I was in Hawaii but when Ryan and I were standing in line waiting for breakfast one morning someone approached me about it. She was wondering where I had purchased my bag and when I told her that I made it she was shocked! After that I was proud to carry around the bag that I had worked many hours on and even more proud that it looked so cute! :-)

xo