This is a great project for anyone who has not done much sewing. There are no fancy stitches. No buttons, zippers or tricky bits either.

It is also a great project for anyone who loves purses but has trouble finding THE PERFECT PURSE. This is one purse that will be the right size and the right color. The strap will be the exact right length. Because you make all of those decisions.

This is great purse, because it's reversible too. So if your plans change, just flip it inside out and have a completely different look.

Finally, this project will give you basic purse assembly skills. After this one, you can make another one -- maybe with TWO straps! Or with a button loop instead of a flap! Your design. You decide.

To start, read through all of the steps and get the following materials and tools together.

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| Like the idea, but lack the materials, time or motivation?
| You can buy this purse at my etsy store, ArtsiBitsi.
| http://artsibitsi.etsy.com
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Step 1: Before You Start

The fabric that you pick will affect your experience, and your results.

If you're a beginner, I recommend that you get something cheap and lightweight to start with. You can iron some fusible interfacing to the back of it to make it a little stiffer.

Step 2: Measure, Measure, Cut

This is your purse, so you get to decide how big it should be. Basically, you want to cut four pieces (two of each color), each of them two inches wider and one inch higher than your favorite purse.

Step 3: A Zebra and a Giraffe Go Into a Bar.

I've cut all of my pieces and laid them out.

Step 4: Start the Straps

Put the right sides together and sew up both sides, longways.

Step 5: Turning (and Turning and Turning And...)

I hate turning. I've been known to recruit family members to do it for me. But this

See if you can find a small child to do this, or try the alternative technique described below.

Step 6: Finish the Strap.

The key to a nice strap, is the finishing. You should iron it flat and top-stitch.

Even vinyl can be ironed, at the right temperature.

(if your sewing skills don't include straight seams, don't try to top-stitch. :-)

Step 7: Box It Up.

Make two bags, one from each color.

Make sure to leave a gap in the bottom of one of them for turning later.

Step 8: Square the Bottoms.

Square bottoms look bad on people, but they look good on your purse.

Learn this technique and your future sewing projects will be much enhanced!

Step 9: Flatty McFlap

You should have two pieces of fabric left. These are the two sides of your reversible flap.

Round it off and sew it up.

Clipping the rounded corners will greatly improve the flatness of your flap.

Step 10: Flap Finishing

Again, top-stitching is a nice way to finish off a piece. It just makes the edges lay flatter and look sharper.

Step 11: Putting It Together - Part I

Pin the flap to one of your bag pieces, as described below.

Step 12: Putting It Together - Part II

Pin the strap tabs to the same bag piece.

Step 13: Putting It Together - Part III

Tuck one bag into the other, right sides together.

Did you remember to leave a gap in the bottom of one of the bags?

Step 14: Sewing - at Last!

Very carefully sew the whole shebang together.

Go nice and slow, and stop often to rearrange your piece. If you rush it, you'll just end up with weird creases and pleats where you don't want them. (ask me how I know this)

Take all of the pins out. Or, after the next step, they'll be stuck in your purse forever. (again, ask me how I know)

Step 15: A Weird Looking Animal

I pulled the bags right side out.

The result looks like the spawn of some unholy serengeti union. Either a zebra eating a giraffe, or vice versa.

Your results may vary. :-)

Step 16: SEW CLOSE to Being Done.

Sew up that bottom seam.

Step 17: Connect the Strap

You can sew the strap, or try something else.

I have a rivet tool that I use a lot for joining heavy fabric.

Or, put in some grommets and lace it together?

Or, wrap it with leather?

Your design, you decide.

Step 18: And... We're Done!

How cool is this. I got two bags for the price of one. It's exactly the right size for my stuff, the strap fits me perfectly, and its going to be great for my next shopping safari.

What will you make?

+---------------------------------
| Like the idea, but lack the materials, time or motivation?
| You can buy this purse at my etsy store, ArtsiBitsi.
| http://artsibitsi.etsy.com
+---------------------------------