Prym Dritz: Dritz

Fun Placemat Purses

By Kim Bell

Decorative placemats can be turned into stylish purses in less than onu hour with easy-to-use handles and loops. Invite your friends for a purse-making party! Follow these basic instructions and then adapt them to suit your style!

Time to completion: Less than one hour

Skill level: 2 of 5, 1 being the easiest

Materials List

Decorative Placemat
1/3 yd. 5/8” wide Ribbon, color to coordinate with placemat
Bag Boutique™ Bamboo Handles, U-shaped (#9815)
4 Bag Boutique™ Handle Loops, ½” Gold (#9845)
Dritz® Marking Pencil

Dritz® Dressmaker Ruler
Dritz® Dressmaker Pins
Dritz® Screwdriver Set
Coordinating Thread
Sewing Machine

Instructions


1.	On wrong side of placemat, use a ruler to find the center at one short end; pin. Measure and mark 3” on each side of center. Repeat on other end.
2.	Cut four 2 ½” pieces of ribbon. On each piece, fold one cut end under ¼” and press. Make a loop with each piece of ribbon by tucking straight end inside of fold; pin.
3.	Center ribbon loop over mark so folded side is against placemat, with fold about 3/8” from edge. Loop should extend beyond placemat; pin. Machine stitch loop to placemat through all layers, catching folded edge of loop. Repeat at each mark so there are two loops at each end of placemat.
4.	Fold placemat, wrong sides together; ribbon loops should line up. Pin sides together to form purse. Topstitch ¼” from edges.
5.	To attach purse handles: Insert purse handle loop into ribbon loop. Align purse handle loop holes with holes in purse handles. Screw bar through loop and handles until tight. Repeat for each loop. Tip: Embellish outside of purse with flowers or iron-on appliqué designs if desired.

More Purse Ideas

Tapestry Delight	Asian Fantasy	Blue Heaven

Printed fruit and a tailored border give this purse a sophisticated look, finished off with beautiful resin handles (#9806).	A simple hand stitch was used to attach the round bamboo handles (#9813) on this purse.	The cool, sleek style of this purse would complement many outfits! Blue plastic handles (#9822) and ribbon loops accent the fabric perfectly.
Quilted Toile	Knotted Whimsy	Moroccan Holiday

Start with a quilted toile fabric (printed design in a single color). A decorative trim was topstitched around the bag and used to form the loops. Sophisticated black plastic handles (#9820) finish it off!	The knotted fringe accent on this placemat combined with the stripes give it a whimsical feeling. Rope handles (#9809) complement the fringe.	The rich colors in this placemat accented with beads make the purse. The dark brown resin handles (#9805) with gold handle loops (#9845) give it style!