Design Your Own Purse Pattern?

During the spring and summer of this year I began designing my own purse pattern called the "A-Round Town Tote".  Well, I hit a design snag and between that and school and well, life, it got put on the back burner.  I'm needing some motivation to sit down and fix this design flaw so I can bring you guys a cute purse pattern so I figure, why not design your own purse with me?  This is gonna be fun and I will post step by step instructions to complete your own purse pattern.  Don't shy away, if you can trace a plate or square, you're in luck!  Along the way I want to post picutures of your purses!  I need input on the best time to start the challenge, I know the holidays are a busy time for most everybody and I want as many people to have a chance to participate as possible.  Start posting your comments now.

Circle Tote Purse Design

 

A few weeks ago, I really wanted a new purse. Of course, all of you fellow sewists know that the first thing you do is head to your stash. Midway through my stash was some periwinkle blue cotton with an unusual texture. It had been floating around for about two years. I decided to put it to use. Now, which pattern will I use? I could not find any in my stash that I wanted to make using the periwinkle fabric. After pacing and thinking for a couple of days over how which design to go with, I made a decision. I would make my own purse pattern.

This process took me two days and another two days to cut and sew together. All the while, I was crossing my fingers that the pieces would go together the way they needed to. It worked for the most part. I still have some bugs to work out but I am happy with the results. The picture above is what I am calling my prototype bag. It was the test bag. Now all I need to do is find somewhere to print the pattern pieces so I can share the bag pattern with all of you.

The finished bag measures 23 1/2" wide x 15" tall x 4" deep. It featured an inside pocket, magnetic snap closure, pleated or pin tucked body (your choice which one), and hidden pockets behind the pleated sections. You are not stuck making just the tote. There will be a smaller shoulder bag option along with a clutch option included in the pattern. I am doing my best to write the instructions clearly, so that even a beginning sewist can make this bag!

The flower attachment I made with Janome's Tattered Flowers Tutorial. I used safety pins to attach the flowers. I like being able to change the flowers to different colors for added fun.