Howdy! I'm so glad you are here. Welcome to a super fun and easy project from the "world of cutes" desk over here at Val's Art Studio!
This purse project is pretty simple to complete, and you can work on with your favorite little seamstress wanna-be. It took me about 2 hours to make up this project, from start to finish.
Here's what you will need to make up this sweet Pup-Purse:
- An old wool sweater that has holes in it, and you love it too much to throw it away. Before beginning this project, throw that sweater in the washer and dryer, to shrink it up, fluff the fibers and make it nice and soft.
- Small bits of felt in a variety of colors, OR needle felting tools and a mixture of colored roving (provided you are a needle felter, and know what you are doing. If not, stick with the bits of felt.)
- Thick black embroidery thread
- A small scrap of cotton fabric for the lining, approximately 8 x 10"
- A sewing machine (for best results - if you don't have a sewing machine, you can hand sew this up)
- Needle and thread
- Scissors
- Fabric glue
- Fusible interfacing (optional) to stiffen up the sweater fabric
- 1 snap
- Purse strap, approximately 24" long.
Ok, let's begin!
1. Click on the pattern photo and print it out. The actual pattern should be 7" tall x 8.5" wide, however, you are welcome to increase or decrease the size to make a purse that is a different size from the one I made. Yes, that is allowed :o)
2. Cut out the sweater fabric according to the pattern. Attach the fusible interfacing to the back (optional). Do not cut out the cotton lining fabric yet.
3. Cut out small pieces of the felt and use the fabric glue to attach the eyes, nose, cheeks, and tail to the sweater fabric, using the pattern for a guide. Alternately, and if you are a needle felter, needle felt the details in place according to the pattern guides.
4. Using embroidery thread, sew the pup's mouth. Sew an "X" over the tail.
5. Pin the sweater fabric evenly along the top edge of the lining fabric, as pictured: (Make sure you pin the top of each fabric together. This will make sense once the lining fabric is put in it's proper place.)
6. Sew the sweater fabric to the lining. Sew again 1/4" away from the first sewing seam to make sure the two are attached securely.
7. Fold the two fabrics evenly in the middle, so the lining fabric is back to back with the sweater. Then, fold it in half again so the dog face is on the front and the tail is on the back. Make sure the lining fabric is nestled in close to the sweater fabric (you can pin them together at the fold). If there is excess lining fabric, cut it away approximately 1/4" beyond the edge of the sweater fabric.
8. Trim the lining fabric around the corners to match the curves of the sweater fabric.
9. Next, unfold the piece so it is flat. Then fold the entire piece in half lengthwise with the RIGHT SIDES facing each other, and pin the edges together carefully.
10. Sew the outside seam together along the cut fabric edge, leaving a 3" wide opening on the side of the lining so you can turn the entire purse inside out. Please notice where my fingers are in the following photo- that's where you DON'T want to sew. Also, you will NOT sew along the foldover edge.
11. Clip the curves so the fabric doesn't pull in the corners once it's been turned inside out.
12. Now turn your pup inside out, starting in the corners and pulling the fabric through the unsewn hole so the right side is now facing out. This step is always so exciting!
13. Hand sew the two sides of the lining fabric together where you turned the piece inside out.
14. Now push the lining fabric down into the purse. Remember that approximately 1" of the top of the sweater will be folded over into the inside of the purse.
15. Cut out the ears according to the pattern. My ears were cut from felted sweater fabric. I applied a small line of fabric glue to the edges so there is no chance the fabric will unravel. Let the glue dry before moving forward.
16. Determine where you will sew the ears in place. Using embroidery thread, sew the ears down. Start and end the thread behind the ears.
17. Next, you will mark the placement of the strap. My strap came with "D" rings. I attached the D rings to the inside top edge of the purse.
18. Sew a snap inside the top of the purse to keep treasures from falling out :o)
Admire the cuteness. Yes, so, SO cute!
And that tail on the back... Woot!!!!
Oh my heck! It's just the right size for my cell phone. I am in love!!!
Thank you for taking the time to sew and felt along with me! I would LOVE to see your Pup-Purse, and hope you will leave me a link in the comments so I can scoot over to your "show off spot" and check it out! If you're on Instagram, use the hashtag #pupurse.
For more needle felt fun and goodness, I invite you to subscribe to my blog. And, I would love for you to visit my website here. Also, if you want to learn more about needle felting (Super FUN in store for YOU!), please click here to learn more about my upcoming e-course: Hello Felt!
Thanks for visiting!
xx
Val
PS. If you are in love with that orange lining fabric (who can blame you?!), here is the link where you can find it: here. All you need to order is a Fat Quarter to make up this project.
