Can't find the perfect handbag or wallet? Make your own! An easy to follow handbag tutorial with plenty of room to hold everything you might need AND a wallet tutorial too! Make both in coordinating fabrics for a matching set.
I did not come up with these amazing tutorials, but did link to the creators below. I am grateful for talented ladies like these who take the time to create easy to follow sewing tutorials!
Handbag tutorial and wallet tutorial are listed at the bottom of the post.
I have always been in denial as to how large of a bag/purse that I really need. I always go smaller and end up stuffing things in to make them fit...and then I can't find anything! Even after adjusting the pattern for my last purse to make it larger, I still had that issue. So I've come to terms with being a mother of 3, one still in diapers, and made myself a bag to fit. Smaller than my diaper bag, but large enough to fit everything and some extra space. Perfect.
 I purchase a yard of Amy Butler's morning glory fabric on etsy. A quick trivia fact...Amy Butler
lives in the next town over from me. Her studio is 15 minutes away from me, yet she remains closed to the public. Was it too much to hope for an Amy Butler fabric outlet to be connected to her studio for locals like myself? Maybe...until she comes around, I'll order online.
I had a heck of a time finding a fabric to coordinate with this one at any shops in town. Then I decided to go through my closet. Sure enough...a pair of greenish/greyish/brownish (I have no idea what color it is) cords that I got at a thrift store for $3, matched PERFECTLY. And I never wore them anymore.
A polka dot print for the lining, and magnetic closures to secure it shut. I will never use any other fastener again. EVER. I had no idea how simple these were to add to a bag or wallet. And inexpensive.
After I finished my bag, I went on to working on a matching wallet.
A pocket for receipts...
 6 card slots, another pocket for bills, and...
a large zipper section for coins, etc.
**Update 11/17/2011**
The Wallet Tutorial that I used is no longer available online. It looks as though her blog went private. Here is the link in case it comes back open to the public again.
The Wallet Tutorial that I used is no longer available online. It looks as though her blog went private. Here is the link in case it comes back open to the public again.
Here is another one that I have made and the tutorial is fantastic. Wallet Pattern
You might also like...
G Inspires says
I'm in love with this bag! I have actually already bought fabric to make myself what I like to call a "Momma's Bag"...purses just don't cut it and I don't want a diaper bag...my little man is 18 months so I just want a "Momma's Bag". Like I said I bought some fabric but haven't started b/c well...I've never made a purse before. I'm not so sure I can follow a pattern b/c I never have but I'm going to definitely use this bag as something to go by! Thanks...your new follower! GInspires!
Myfriendscallmesuzy says
Thanks so much for sharing this. I have been wanting to make my own bag for some time now and wasn't sure where to start.
Your new follower,
[email protected]
Brandy says
Thanks Jan for posting that! I was disappointed when it was no longer available online espeically after sending so much traffic that direction! Hopefully ladies can still use this tutorial for a long time!
Jan Andrea says
Google has (for now) a cached version of the pattern you used for the wallet: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:I59WBUy4DkQJ:bluebirdswing.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-very-first-tutorial-lets-make-wallet.html+bluebirdswing+wallet+tutorial&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Thankfully not a copy 😀 and a very cute project.
Rebecca says
Sadly that blog is invite only. I really love the wallet pattern and am very frustrated that no one has a free pattern available for one like this.
Jan Andrea says
I have a very similar one here -- you could use different fabrics instead of just folding a single fabric for the pockets: http://crafts.sleepingbaby.net/wallet.html
Jan Andrea says
The wallet looks a lot like a pattern I designed several years ago, though of course I can't see the linked tutorial 🙂 Mine might be helpful to your readers, though: http://crafts.sleepingbaby.net/wallet.html
Love the bag -- very cute!
SARITHA says
The bag and the wallet, both are so pretty!!Love the fabric, pattern, everything!!Thanks for sharing the bag pattern!!
TiffanyM says
Went to go look for the wallet tutorial, and the blog it links to is a private blog? can u email me the post?? mrstiffanym@ Gmail dot com
Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims says
So pretty! love the pattern of that fabric too.
Thanks for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday, hope to see you again this week! 🙂
Tanya says
Your fabric choices are wonderful. Great job on the purse and wallet. I have seen that purse before, I think I like it enough to make it:)
Tanya says
Your fabric choices are wonderful. Great job on the purse and wallet. I have seen that purse before, I think I like it enough to make it:)
acheymomma says
You don't have a problem with de-magnetizing the strips on credit cards with a magnet wallet closure? I've had that issue from a purse that I carried my wallet in!
myrtle says
WoW! super cute. .nice fabric. .=)Paladin Accounts
summer says
too cute!! i found the wallet tut, but was unable to find the purse tut. can you help??
thanks, summer
summerleighwilliams (at) yahoo (dot) com
http://icouponjesussaves.blogspot.com
Elizabeth says
Great job! Love that Amy Butler fabric too 🙂 Would love for you to come and visit me at Sew Chatty and link up to Made With Love Monday! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com
Shan B. says
Oh my gosh...sew cute Brandy!! Maybe one of these days I can do something cute like that & I really need a new wallet!! Thanks for sharing 🙂