Sew a purse for fun or for profit

Oh, the pleasure of sewing fashion accessories for fun. With just the basic sewing methods, you can make a bag to match any and every outfit you want to own. That’s right. Knowing how to make a bag opens the door to a special creative flow and places you in an enviable place to create all the personalized fashion accessories that you dare to dream of.

If you still do not know how to sew, it is quite simple; You can even teach yourself the basics by reading sewing tutorials or taking advantage of the many learning-to-sew programs available online and offline. But if your experience level is above average, then you can go for an even more difficult sewing project with patterns complete with all the bells and whistles to make amazing purses.

In any case, as long as you are able to read, you can learn and if you can learn, surely you can create. So this is what you should do. Find yourself a pattern for your “must-have” bag. If it seems a bit difficult to do, start with an easier layout until your skill and confidence are ready for a higher level of difficulty. With a little practice and after a few small bags, you will be on your way to much greater designs. In the meantime, take it easy so that you enjoy the process.

Take a look at all of your store bought bags. Flip them over to see how they were sewn and what hardware, if any, were used. Look at the straps, see what they’re made of. Do you like the closure or do you prefer to see something else in the bag? Perhaps the closure is great, but you may need to add some security measures, such as interior magnetic snaps for privacy.

What would you like your favorite bag to have … was it more pockets on the inside or outside or maybe both? Does the bottom of your bag scratch when you put it down or does it sink when you carry all your items except the kitchen sink? Then think of solutions before you begin your mission to sew a purse. Solutions can be straightforward and standard, such as installing bag feet in your bag and putting a base in the bottom of your bag.

A good portfolio designer is also a great problem solver. In design school, students are told that “form follows function.” Set the purpose of your bag and then back it up to create the beauty around you. It is absolutely useless to have a beautiful bag that cannot hold anything and does not serve any useful purpose.

So, here are some things to consider when making bags.

1. Is it for work or for the beach?

2. Is it for informal or formal wear?

3. What materials would you like it to be made of?

4. Do you need it to fit your makeup kit and large hairbrush or just lipstick, braces, and a cell phone?

5. Does it need to be coordinated with a particular outfit or shoe?

6. Should your bag have a smooth or firm body?

7. How much money do you want to invest to make the bag?

8. What type of coating should it have, if any?

9. How much time are you willing to invest in creating your portfolio?

10. Is it for personal use or for sale?

These questions may not seem very important until you are ready to use your bag. It’s at that moment that you discover that your hairbrush, your glasses along with your husband’s keys, your cell phone and his, and something the kids want you to carry, just don’t fit. In this case, you will probably need to build a larger bag, perhaps a bag with a sturdy canvas-like fabric. Now if your occasion calls for you to relax and be free from frills, then you might want to make a tote bag. These can be quite stylish, especially if they are made with custom painted fabrics.

Whatever you choose to do, take your time and do it right. Make sure the seams are well stitched and your presentation is top-notch. Just because your bag is homemade doesn’t mean it should look neat. Set high standards and start creating your totally impressive collection of custom stitched wallets today.