To make this purse, a change purse

You will need

  1. 1 clean juice bags
  2. 1.5 inches of sew-in velcro
  3. or two sets of slick surface adhesive velcro tabs.
  4. sewing machine with white thread

 

Step 1   Clean the juice bags by carefully cutting a slit in the bottom.  Rinse with warm soapy water, then set in dish rack to dry.  They do take a while to dry.  I have left them on the counter for a day or more.  If I'm ready to sew I will use dry them with a dish towel but that more work and I have the counter space.  In the summer I may leave them out in the sun to dry if it's not to windy.

Step 2   Lay out the purse.  If your using all the same bags get right to the sewing.  But I like to use four different colors for the front 3 and the side and then repeat the pattern for the back and the other side.  The last four are used for the bottom and the handle.  There are some bags that are taller with a rounded top.  I use these for the sides ( I will also use these to make a change purse that matches).  If this what your planing to use to make the whole purse your just fold down the tops on the front and back after you sew it together.

Step 3   Sew the front and back.  With white thread and zigzag stitch sew two bags toghether by laying the side of one bag over the side of another lining up the edges.  There is a line that was made when the sides where fused together.  I lay them one on top the other and sew the zigzag stitch down the center.  Sew the third bag to the first two.  Repeat to make the back.

Step 4   Sew the Handle.  Take two bags and sew the top to the bottom using a zigzag stitch.  Fold and cut in half the long way.  Then sew the two tops together.  Fold the open end over and sew with the zigzag stitch.   

Step 5   Sew the handle and the bottom to the sides. Take two bags and sew the top to the bottom using a zigzag stitch.  Repeat.  Sew the two bottoms together with the zigzag stitch.  The two center bags will be the bottom of the purse.  Sew the handle to top of the side by laying 1/2 inch of the handle on the inside( the silver side) and sewing two rows of zigzag stitch.

Step 6   Sew the sides to the front and back.  You'll place the right sides of the front and the first  side bag together and sew with a straight stitch along the line.  I sew this twice for strength.  Then sew the back on in the same manner.  Repeat for the second side.

Step 7   Sew on the bottom.  This is the hardest part.  Pinch the bottom to the front and sew a straight stitch from corner to corner.  Repeat for the back.

Step 8  Sew the center tab.   Cut the top 1 1/2 inches off of a juice bag.  Fold the cut edge over and sew.  Sew one end in the center of the back side.  Either sew an inch of velco to the other end and the center of the front side.  Or use a slick surface adhesive velco tap and attach to the tap and front of the bag.

Change Purse  Use the other half juice bag from the previous step, fold over the cut end and sew.  If your using sew-in velcro sew one side velcro before placing this on top another juice bag with back side facing as shown in picture.  Sew around three sides and then sew second side of velcro on the opposite side or you can use smooth surface adhesive velcro.