Okay, so I’ve been seeing these top handle purses everywhere lately, and I finally decided to give making one a shot. I’m no pro, but I figured, how hard could it be? Turns out, it’s a bit of a project, but totally doable!
Getting Started
First, I gathered my materials. I had some leftover fabric from an old project – a nice, thick canvas – and I thought it would be perfect. I also picked up some sturdy interfacing to give the bag some structure, some basic cotton lining fabric, and of course, the handles. I found some cool wooden ones online that I thought would look great.
The Cutting and Sewing
Next, I started cutting out the pieces. I kinda just winged it with the shape, making a simple rectangle for the body and some smaller pieces for the sides. I used a rotary cutter and a cutting mat, which made things way easier. Don’t even try using regular scissors, trust me.
Then came the interfacing. I ironed it onto the back of my canvas pieces, following the instructions on the package. This part was crucial – it made the fabric so much stiffer and easier to work with.
After that, I started sewing. I pinned the main body pieces together, right sides facing each other, and stitched along the sides and bottom. Then, I boxed the corners to give the bag some depth. This was a little tricky, but I found a few tutorials online that helped me figure it out.
I used the same pin and stich along to add the lining.
Adding the Handles
The handles were the most intimidating part, but they actually weren’t too bad.I used some basic cotton lining fabric and some basic metal D-ring,and sew them to sides.
Then I added the handles,and sew them into place.
The Finishing Touches
Almost there! I sewed in the lining, leaving a small opening to turn the bag right side out. Once I did that, I pressed everything with a hot iron to make it look nice and crisp. Finally, I hand-stitched the opening closed, and that was it!
It’s definitely not perfect – there are a few wonky seams here and there – but I’m pretty proud of my first attempt! It’s the perfect size for carrying my essentials, and I love the way the wooden handles look. I might even try making another one with some different fabric!
