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Reinterpreted by Ashley Warren Coulson
This delightful reproduction of a 1950s child’s handbag can be modernized using today’s sewing techniques or modified to meet the daily needs of the fashion-conscious preteen. The pattern included is an appropriate size for the toddler to tween. Several button-on tiers can be made to change the bag for different holidays or special occasions. With so many possibilities for interchangeable and reversible button-on circles, we had to make a fun and funky version. Ashley Coulson, one of our staff designers, came up with the turquoise and brown version with a feathery beaded trim. The outer compartments do not really serve a functional purpose and are best used for creative machine embroidery, decorative stitching, hand embroidery or fabric prints. Using the circular attachment on the sewing machine quilter table simplifies the process.
NOTE: We pictured Mary Ann’s Sunday purse with Easter eggs for fun, but it is not intended for egg hunting. The design could, however, make a festive table centerpiece when a vase of spring flowers is set inside the center pouch. We’ll show you how to construct the project; you decide how to use it.
Click here to download pattern
IN THE ARTICLE
• Materials List
• Instructions
MATERIALS
Fabric
• 1/3 yd fabric for purse
• 3/8 yd fabric for purse circle
Trim
• 1/2 yd trim (optional)
• 1 yd of 1/2-inch-wide ribbon, cut
into two 18-inch pieces (for handles)
• Six 1/2-inch buttons
Supplies
• Lightweight sewing thread to match fabric
• Blue wash-away marker
• Lightweight tear-away stabilizer
(optional)
• Fray Block™ (optional)
CUTTING
All seams are 1/2-inch.
• Cut one 15- x 8-1/2-inch rectangle
for purse.
• Cut one 15- x 6-1/2-inch rectangle
for purse lining.
• Cut two small circles for purse
bottom.
• Cut two large circles for button-on
attachment. You can make each side
from a different print for more
options.
Figure 6: Run both 18-inch ribbons through casing; knot ends and encase knots inside purse casing. Pull ribbon loops through buttonholes to draw up purse.
Mary Ann Miller lives with her husband, Avon, just north of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State. She recently retired after 30 years as a certified public accountant and is now pursuing her two passions, sewing and writing. Mary Ann has been sewing since she was 8 years old. She is a Palmer Pletsch educational associate, a clothing & textile advisor with the Kitsap County Extension Agency and teaches children and adults to sew at Viking Sew and Vacuum in Port Angeles.
