I decided that it was time for another tutorial. This one is my own design, Yay! The size of the purse was determined by the length of zipper I used. Yes, this purse has a functioning zipper on it, how cute would this be with a matching card to insert inside and give as a gift to someone special. So follow along to learn how to make one of these for yourself.
Let's start with the zipper piece. I have a nice stash of zippers in my craft room, a variety of new and used, many are vintage, like the one I used here. The size of your purse will be determined by the length of zipper you use. The zipper I used was about 7". (Note: If you don't have a zipper you can make this purse without one, if you want to have a closure, cut a small strip of patterned paper or cardstock to attach to the top back and front, on the front use repositional adhesive or Velcro).
For the size zipper I used, trim 4 strips of cardstock that are 1" x 6". Score all pieces down the middle of the length at 1/2".
Use a strong liquid quick dry adhesive, I use
Beacon's 3 n 1, and attach a piece of cardstock to both sides of the top of the zipper. The picture above is how it will look from the bottom side at this point. Now attach the other two pieces to the bottom side. Set aside and let dry until it's time to attach it to the purse.
Trim two piece of cardstock that are 4" x 9". Mark both pieces on the long side at 1" and 8".
Line up the cardstock on your paper trimmer and trim from the 1" mark to the bottom corner. Now line up the other side with the 8" mark and trim to the bottom corner. Repeat for the second 4" x 9" piece.
You should now have two pieces that look like this.
Next trim a piece of cardstock that is 2" x 12". With the short side horizontal on the score board, score the length at 1/2" and 1 1/2". Turn your cardstock so the long side is horizontal (like the picture above) and score at 1 1/2" and 10 1/2".
Once you have your score marks made, use a pencil to mark both the long side at 1 1/4", 1 3/4", 10 1/4" and 10 3/4". Use micro tip scissors to trim from one mark to where the score lines meet. Repeat for the other side.
Both ends should like the picture above.
Now lets trim the pieces for the sides of the purse. Trim 2 pieces that are 2" x 5 1/8". With the short side horizontal score the length at 1/2", 1" and 1 1/2". Turn so the long side is horizontal and score at 1". Mark the both long sides at 3/4" and 1 1/4". Use your scissors to trim from each mark into where the 1/2" score meets the 1" score and the 1 1/2" score meets the 1" score. Fold on the center score line, with the piece folded in half, mark at 5" and trim from the corners to the 5" mark in the center. Repeat for second piece. You should now have two pieces that look like the picture above.
Trim patterned paper for front and back of purse, use your cardstock as a template. Adhere to cardstock pieces before assembling purse, it's easier to do while everything is still flat.
Use a strong adhesive, I like scor-tape, and cover all the edges of the 2" x 12" piece and to the edges of the 2" x 5 1/8" pieces. Start by attaching the front and back pieces to the long strip in the middle of the 12" piece. Then attach the side flaps to the two side pieces. Carefully align and press together the sides to the front and back pieces. (Note: the side flaps outside the score lines on the 12" piece have not been scored. You can do this before assembling, or just work it slightly with your fingers to bend with the rest of the sides.)
Here's a view of what the purse should look like now from the top. Now it's time to add the zipper.
Place adhesive on the cardstock that the zipper is attached to, a quick dry liquid is good for this part so you have a little wiggle room to align the zipper.
Now that you have your purse formed you can have fun embellishing it.
I decided after I was embellishing mine, that it needed a handle. Trim a strip of cardstock 1/4" by 12" and attach to both sides of the purse. Attach the ribbon across the top first.
Then add the flowers, flourishes and butterflies. Here's a close up of the flowers. I sprayed them all lightly with a silver glimmer mist and attached either a rhinestone or pearl to the center of each one.
The flourishes I used were actually left over pieces cut from a larger piece that was used on another project. All the little dimensional butterflies are fussy cut from patterned paper.
Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and will soon be making one of your own.
Supply List
Cardstock
Paper Trimmer
Scissors
Pencil
Scor-pal or other scoring tool
Adhesive
Embellishments
Thanks for looking ~ Michelle
