I "Heart" Purse

 Sew Mama Sew is having a contest and I thought it was about time I put together my very first tutorial.  The challenge is writing it down and photographing, not necessarily the project itself.  This is for my sweet 11 year old that loves pink, loves people, and loves bags of all shapes and sizes.

Materials:
scraps of cotton
interlining (flannel, fleece, or interfacing)
8-10" zipper (or longer if you already have it)
Handle hardware - can use a d-ring, swivel clip, etc.
Paper (for pattern)

Pattern

 Step 1 - Make a pattern.

Just like in grade school, cut out a heart shape from a folded sheet of paper.  Mine is roughly 10" across the widest part.  Try not to make the point too pointy or it will be difficult to turn.  Draw a line across the widest part of your heart.  Using tracing paper, trace the bottom half of the heart.  Add 1/2" seam allowance to top edge.  Trace the top half of your heart adding a 1/2" seam to the bottom edge.

Trace front with opening

Cut out all three pattern pieces (full heart and 2 front pieces) from lining and interlining.

Adding Strips

Step 2 - String Piecing

Starting on your full heart interlining piece, lay a strip across the center right side up.  Add another strip right side down on top lining up edges.  Stitch 1/4" seam.  Fold open and press.  Continue adding strips until the heart is covered.

Trim interlining from seam allowance

Step 3 - Preparing front pieces and Preparing Zipper

Cut one top heart piece from scrap of fabric.  Place it wrong side down on top of the interlining piece.  Stitch 5/8" along straight edge.  Trim interlining from seam allowance.  Fold over 1/2" and press.

Cut zipper so that it is 1" shorter than widest part of heart.  Cut a strip of fabric 2" wide.  Fold in half lengthwise and press.  Fold raw edges into center.  Press in half and use for binding.  Bind both edges of zipper.

Draw line 1 1/2"from edge

On bottom piece of interlining, draw a line 1 1/2" from straight edge.  Add cotton strips like back but only go above the line you drew by 1/4".  Cut a strip of cotton 2" x the width of the heart.  Place it along the 1 1/2" line (redraw on cotton string piecing if necessary) with raw edge even with line.  Stitch 1/4" seam.  Fold up and press.  Stitch 5/8" seam along top edge.  Trim interlining from seam allowance just as for top piece.  Fold over 1/2" and press.


Step 4 - Putting in Zipper 

Place top lining piece right side up on table.  Place zipper even with raw edge.  (Wondertape is great here if you have some.)  Place outside top heart on top of zipper tape, even with teeth.  Pin in place carefully making sure to catch all layers.  Stitch on top of previous stitching line close to teeth. Repeat for bottom.

Lining on bottom, zipper, then outside

Finished top zipper

Stitched outside leaving lining free.

 Step 5 - Finishing Up


Be sure to open zipper!  Add a strap or handle before sewing everything together.  Place outside pieces right sides together.  Sew top half just to zipper stitching line.  Sew bottom half just to zipper stitching line.  Stitch lining pieces right sides together just as for outside only leave a hole for turning.  Clip corners, points, and V of heart, making sure you don't clip your stitching (ask me how I know!).  Turn through the hole in the lining.  Stitch by machine or by hand the hole in the lining.  Press and Love!

Back of finished purse!