Hand-Made Purse Handles
1/2 inch Craft Tubing (mine was "paper" substance, wrapped in twine)18 inches for each handle.
I made a purse out of "Flag" fabric, lined in Red Fabric, with an inside pocket, and closure with a snap, that I applied on the lining. The purse Patte
1. I had "Flag" fabric left over, and couldn't find handles that matched red, white, or blue...so with the 45" part of the left over, I ripped 4 stripes in 2 1/2 inches, sewing 2 together (right sides together) sewing one end closed, so it could be turned.
2. After I got it turned, and lightly pressed, (the tube now measured 1 1/2 inches wide) I used a large safety pin to thread it through the tube, after getting the one end close to the end of the 18" I put a safety pin through the fabric and the end, so the end wouldn't be "lost".
3. The tube measured approx 80", so as I worked the pin down through the tube, I kept pushing the gathers down toward the end of the 18 inch (with the safety pin through the tube) when I got to the "sewn shut" end, I sniped the sealed end off.
4. I kept both ends of the tubing exposed, and overlapped them and "zig-zag-ed" the end together, making two HANDLES, now I put one side of fabric over the other and zip-zaged them again.
5. I adjusted the gathers so both handles looked even. Then I followed the directions in Butterick No.4088,view F, for attached 'store-bought' Handles.
6. The handles go over the shoulder, and the body of the purse fits well under the arm.
7. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS REALLY WORKED, I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER BUY 'STOR BOUGHT' HANDLES AGAIN. THE PURSE IS FOR MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, THAT LIVES IN LIVINGSTON, MONTANA, I LIVE IN BILLINGS, MT, 139 MILES FROM LIVINSTON.
This project was submitted by rudyjuth (Judy Westerman). Thanks Judy Westerman!
I am confused with the direction. May be it is because I am German and not a native speaker. A drawing or foto would be of help.......I wish I would understand the direction, for it sounds great ;)
I did something similar for purse handles except I had some cotton rope that I used to scrunch the fabric over to make handles... It worked great!
hard to visualize. i would really like a pic. im intrigued. . .
WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE A PICTURE OF THAT PURSE..iT SOUNDS GREAT!!
I'm usually pretty quick but I didn't get this and I make purses. A pic would really help.
good way to save money :)
I thought your directions were easy to follow.
I'm anxious to try this method. It should save me an enormous amount of money.
thanks for posting this i am going to try it!
Craft tubing is available in different styles. In can be clear plastic tubing or paper based. Ask your local craft store for what they sell.
What is craft tubing? "paper substance wrapped in twine"??? I'm sorry, I have no idea what this means! I was excited to learn how to make purse handles, but this tutorial didn't help at all. :-(
Don't understand this AT ALL. Are you referring to two different items when you refer to the "craft tubing", and the "tube" you're creating with the fabric? Pictures would probably help.