Traditionally, womens handbags were made of leather, and were generally quite small. Back in the 50s and 60s the popular handbags and cutting edge designs were the clutch handbags and the envelope handbags. Times have changed and womens handbags are now almost any size and shape and made of almost any materials. Modern handbags as well as being used to carry items, are also often just used to accessorize an outfit.
Have you ever thought of making your own handbag. It is relatively straightforward to make a handbag from various materials, even if you are not particularly good at sewing. Here are a few ideas to start you on your way.
A larger handbag design
If you sometimes need to carry a number of bulky items as well as you purse, then you need a larger bag you can carry on your shoulder.The classic over the shoulder bag can be very easy to fabricate. This can by any size from A4 to 2 foot by 1 foot. They become unmanageable if any larger than that. You can make a very useful, personal bag from rug making materials. You can buy canvas, pattern and wool in a complete kit or buy the materials separately and create your own design. Then make up you rug as if you were going to use it on the floor. Then fold it in half when finished and oversew the seems. If you are going to be using the bag for delecate or damp items, you could line it with appropriate material
You can close the top with velcro, a zip, or suitable clasp, or just leave it with an open top. You will also need a matching handle to finish off. This gives you lots of options. with a little pre-planning you could make this part of your pattern and attach it with the rug knots. You could tie or sew a plaited or macrame handle directly to the bag. Make sure it is two or three rows down the stitches so that it does not pull the canvass apart. Another option would be to attach a leather belt by its buckle. Students with lots of books to carry or mothers with all those baby necessities would find this type of bag very useful. – It is also ideal for those women who have to carry everything except the kitchen sink, just in case!
Smaller Womens handbags
Making your own smaller handbag design will guarantee that you have a unique handcrafted handbag.
More delicate materials and greater skill is required when making smaller bags. You could make a smaller version of the previous one by using a tapestry kit rather than a rug kit. You can choose your picture and colours to compliment your favourite outfit.
With a piec of strong colored material you can make a good evening handbag, Stiffen it by sandwiching with card or simply starching then make it really stand out by covering the whole thing with beads or sequins.
There are a whole raft of choices if you make other clothes. Make a handbag with the same material you use for a skirt or top. It will certainly draw attention and will give that ‘put together’ look.
Trendy womens handbags
Alternately you could make handbags in differant shapes – animals, geometric designs (triangles or hexagons) and even fruit. First draw your shape on a piece of paper in the size you want it. Two stiff card copies should then be made. Using the card as a template cut four pieces of material slightly large than the card. Now place a piece of material each side of a card and sew around the edge. Do that again for the second side. Next, sew the pieces of material together. The seams need to be really strong,so it is recommended that you double stitch these, The material was made oversoze to accomocate that. There are many ways to close the top as with the large bag. a zip, velcro, buttons (if you are confident of making buttonholes) or press studs. Ensure that there is sufficient strength to carry the likely weight of contents when you design and make the handle(s). You can use the same techniques as for the large bag, but you may need to strengthen or use multiple layers if using the same material.
It can be great fun making your own womens handbags. See what you can come up with from your imagination. If it fails, throw it away and go and buy one!