Frame Purse Tutorial Part I

Frame Purse Tutorial (Part I)
By:
Samantha Sheppard

1. Introduction
This tutorial will show you how to make a frame purse. You typically cannot buy patterns for frame purses because there are so many different frames available and it would be difficult to find a pattern that actually fit your frame. Thus, in order to make a frame purse, you must make your own pattern (which is actually pretty easy). This tutorial will cover the following:

(a) Where to purchase frames.
(b) Fabric selection.
(c) How to construct a pattern for your frame.
(d) Sewing the purse and attaching it to the frame.

2. Materials
(a) Paper for your pattern.
(b) Pencil or sharpie pen.
(c) Frame.
(d) ½ yard of fabric for the outside of the purse.
(e) ½ yard of fabric for the lining of the purse.
(f) ½ yard of strong sew-in interfacing.
(g) Strong fabric glue.
(h) Coordinating thread.

3. Where to Purchase Frames.
Unfortunately, I have not found any of these purse frames at my local fabric stores. However, frames can be purchased online at several locations:

(a) http://www.u-handbag.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14
(b) http://stores.mikkiehk.com/StoreFront.bok (this is where I purchased mine – great selection and price!)
(c) http://www.tallpoppycraft.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=32

4. Fabric Selection
The fabric for the outside of your frame purse can be almost any type. You can even choose a more thin or flimsy fabric because we will be using interfacing to make the bag stronger.

5. Making the Pattern

(a) Take a piece of paper and lay your frame in the middle. Outline the outside (not the inside) of the frame. Make marks at the bottom of the hinges.

(b) Next, draw the pattern around the frame. This is where you can get creative. I chose to make a smaller, squarish bag, but if you want a more rounded and puffy bag, you can draft your pattern this way. Also, I included a ½ inch seam allowance. Keep that in mind when drafting your pattern.

(c) You now have to mark on your patter where the hinges will go. This is really important. If you get this part wrong your frame will not fit on your bag properly. Put the top corner of your purse frame onto the top corner of your pattern so that you have lined it up with the sides of your pattern. Then measure ½ inch (or whatever seam allowance you have chosen) from the frame hinge. Now you can cut your pattern out.

(d) Using the pattern that you just drafted, you will cut 2 pieces of:
(i) The outside fabric.
(ii) The lining fabric.
(iii) The fusible interfacing (iron this onto the wrong side of the outside fabric).
(iv) The heavy sew-in interfacing.