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I posted this tutorial about a million years ago, okay not really, but before Mother’s Day. If you are a beginning sewer and need a last minute, cute idea for a gift try making a place mat purse. A place-mat purse is an easy, inexpensive gift that you can make even if you have little or no sewing experience. I noticed last night that cute Christmas place-mats are already on clearance at Target.
A fellow blogger read this tutorial and made a similar purse without using her machine. Click here to see her great purse!
I posted this tutorial before, but here it is again for those who missed it the first time.
Step one- get a place-mat
Step two- fold the place mat right sides together and sew up the sides as close to the edge as you can, as a side note, start sewing at the opening of the place mat so you are sure it is lined up correctly
both sides sewn together
Third step- fold the bottom part of each side of the place-mat into a triangle, measure and mark each side. I usually make the triangle about 2 inches long
then sew across the triangle
Check both side to make sure they are the same size.
Admire your work so far…
I hope this picture helps show the triangle part a little better.
Time to attach the handles, I purchased these at JoAnn’s.
I use quilt binding to attach the handles. It is pretty strong and doesn’t fray.
Cut four pieces of binding the same length. Attach each piece to the loop on the handle.
Then attach the handles to the purse. Measure the purse so that the handles line up. Most place-mats have a seam that runs right along the edge of the mat. This a great place to sew your handle on because the stitching for the handle blends in.
I then tack the bottom part of the binding on the purse for more strength.
All done, your purse is ready to go shopping!
This makes a great gift, and to make it even more special, fill the purse with a book or some pretty cards. Or even better… coupons!
Here are some more of the place-mat purses…
This one was hand sewn by a friend. She used decorative ribbon to attach the handles.
This one looks a little lopsided because I have stuff in it.
You can fill your purse with fun Christmas goodies too!
One Mom, Five Kids says
Awww! I wanna make one! Too bad my mom isn’t the purse type but I can see me making one of these for my daughter one day.
Thanks for the tutorial!
Kate says
Toni, those purses are awesome! Learning to sew has been #1 on my want to learn list for about 5 years now!!! I am getting better at hand sewing, but still do not have a sewing machine (not that I would know what to do with it anyhow). Do you think I could make one of those with just hand sewing?
NancyP says
Toni, I still don’t get the triangle thing. I’ve been puzzling over it all day. I’m sure it’s my math-challenged mind…at least this one isn’t a science experiment!
Should I worry about my 20+ year old sewing machine managing all those layers (assuming I figure out the triangles!)?
Thanks…and I just love this blog!
Stephanie says
This is so nice! I am wondering where I can find a nice placemat like that though? The ones you used were so fancy!
Michelle says
That is so cute! I’ll definitely have to try that. It looks like a pretty fancy bag. Good tutorial.
candace says
Those are really smart looking purses. You are quite clever.
Niki says
what a great little purse! i can’t sew to save my life, but i have a few friends who do…..kohls always has placemats in the prettiest patterns..they’d make cute purses!
🙂
Krista says
Yes, you can link my purse to your website. I handsewed mine. The sewing machine that I have wouldn’t go through the heavy fabric. My fingers are really sore today, but it was worth it!
Amanda Jayne says
I love, love, love this! I am heading out today and buying some placemats to make some purses. This is such a great idea!
Janet says
Do you sell these and can I buy three? I need two to be the exact same. I also need them to have a closure at the top.
Liisa says
Oh, I just love this idea – they are so cute! I will be picking up some placemats and handles this weekend.
Blessings,
Liisa
Laura@HeavenlyHomemakers says
Wow!! These are so great!! You are so talented!! I love ’em!
Sonshine says
I love the idea! I am in the market for a new purse!! Maybe I’ll just make one for myself and tell my kids they don’t have to get me anything for Mother’s Day. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
Have a great weekend!
Liz says
These are awesome! If only I liked pretty purses.
Jennifer says
This is so cool. UGH! I just got back from shopping! Guess I will have to go again!!! Thanks for posting this!!
MNKristy says
Those are great! I made a bunch of those for Mother’s Day last year as well. Very cute!
momstheword says
These are so cute! I had no idea that you could buy purse handles, but then, I don’t sew. I guess I will just use placemats as placemats and admire your homemade purses!
Organizing Mommy says
Aaah… so cute!!! What a neat idea–great for beginning seamstresses.
Heather S says
So cute! Ok, I think I need to go buy me a sewing machine so I can start sewing!! Too cute!