Fabric Purse using Scallop Square Die Cut

Fabric Purse - pattern and other ideas.  Quick and easy directions are listed below the cute photos.

Such a quick way to cut out scallop squares to make a purse.  I made 6 to give as gifts this past Christmas but in the flurry of holiday hustle and bustle, did not take pictures.  I have a reminder note on my 2012 calendar to offer a class and this time take photos!  Here are a few from some fellow demonstrators to pique your interest until class:

SQUARE RAG BAG SUPPLIES:

  Batting - (27) 3 3/4" Squares of black Quilters Dream Cotton Batting

  Fabric - 1/4 yard each of 4 different fabrics - 27 Outside Squares and 27 Inside Squares

  Handles  -  1/4 yard of fabric, 1/4 yard 978F Fusible Pellon

  Accessories - Anywhere Glue (104045), thread.

  Tools - Big Shot, Scallop Square Clear Die (#115950), sewing machine

QUICK DIRECTIONS


1.  Cut strips of 5" strips of fabric.  Cut the strips into 5" squares.  Then cut the squares with your Scallop Square Die running it through with approximately 6 squares (depending on fabric - I used cotton) at a time.  Use a thin cardboard shim to get them to cut out completely.

2.  To make your quilting sandwiches, lay down a fabric square of your lining fabric, wrong side up on the table.  Dab the center with your glue stick.  Lay down a square of batting in the center of the square.  Dab the center of the wrong side of an outside square and put down onto the batting.  Pin together.

3.  Sew diagonally across the square, creating an "X".  It saves a lot of time and thread if you chain sew these.

4.  Lay your squares out in rows or 3, 3, 3, 7, 3, 3, 3 representing your bag.  Using a 3/8" seam allowance, sew the squares together with the WRONG SIDES TOGETHER, so that the scallop edges are on the outside of the purse.  Sew in this order, the 3 x 3 Side Panels, then side gusset - to bottom - to side gusset.  Then sew the side panels to the bottom.  Then sew the side gussets to the side panels.

5.  For the HANDLES:  Cut 2 piece of fabric to 4 1/2" x 28" (or length of your choosing) and 2 strips of fusible pellon to 1 1/2" x 28".  Fuse the pellon to the center of the wrong side of your fabric.  Fold and press one side over the pellon.  Press a narrow hem on the opposite side and then fold and press that over the pellon.  Stitch close to the fabric edge.

6.  Insert the handle in the top of the outside front squares, being sure they are between the fabric and the batting.  Pin.

7.  Using a 1/2" seam allowance, stitch around the top edge of the purse.  Stitch again where the handles are about 1/4" above your first stitching.