I never made it to your comments today… I was helping out at the Food Pantry again today…yep…wrapping more presents! No balls today…
I’m working on altering a suit for someone, I have a Staff Christmas party on Thursday, and several other things going on… I’m a bit busy right now. sorry.
I think it was Joy that said she’d like her purse to open up on the inside and not be glued shut… Well, I aim to please so here is a tutorial on how I make my purses for dolls…This is for an American Girl doll… but the size can be adjusted for any size doll.
Cut a piece of fabric 11″ x 4″.
Cut a piece of fusible interfacing 1/4″ smaller on the sides. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Fuse it to the back side.
Serge the ends if you have a serger…if not. You can zig zag the ends or just leave them. There isn’t much wear to this area…
Fold down the top and bottom ends..
Stitch across both ends 1/4″ from the edge.
Turn up the bottom edge 2 3/4″ to the inside and pin in place…
Turn down the top edge 2″.
It should look like this…
Pin in place. Make sure you have a gap between the top and bottom sections…that is where the strap will go..
Stitch down each side using a 1/4″ seam. Serge if you have a serger…if not, just zig zag..
It should look like this…
Now it’s time to turn… and press flat…
It should look like this…
Find what you want to use for your strap…cording, ribbon, chain, leather…whatever. I’m using a piece of ribbon 16″ long…I put it over a doll shoulder to see where I wanted it to come to. Allow a bit for stitching it on..
Making sure it’s not twisted, lay the ribbon or cording down in the space between the flap and bottom of the purse… and pin in place…
Pin it toward the bottom of your space…you don’t want your stitching to show on the front flap of your purse.
Take it to your machine and stitch across the ribbon knotting it at each end.
It should look like this on the inside…
…and this on the back side.
It should fold over easily.
Try it on your doll to see if it’s okay in length…if you need to adjust it, now would be the time to do that… just undo one end of your stitching for any adjustments.
You could stitch a piece of Velcro on in one of the previous steps but I find it just as easy to get it fully made and then stitch on a snap. Since both sections of the purse are open it’s pretty easy to reach inside and sew on a snap… I sew on the larger side of the snap to the bottom section of the purse, centering it…
Now you can fold the front flap of your purse and using a long pin, stick it through the flap and into the center of the bottom snap to mark where your upper snap will need to be stitched on…When you find the spot where the pin goes into the center of the snap, you can pull it up and set your snap on it for easy stitching… (make sure your snaps have center holes!!!)
Stitch your upper snap on…
I decided to just use a black and white polka dotted bow for the front…It was tacked on in the center…
The inside of your purse should look something like this…
Here it is on the dolls shoulder…
…and that’s how I make an open purse… you can make a box corner bottom in the purses, but that will have to be another tutorial… :o)
See you Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne
As busy as you are, and you took time to do another tutorial!! Thank you!! As usual, the directions are clear, and the pictures show the details we need to see.
That purse turned out pretty cute, too. One wonders if maybe there might be a Christmas (or possibly Valentine) outfit to go with it?????
BTW, Gigi’s new outfit (and my sweet treat) arrived today! Pictures will follow shortly!! SOMEONE is very excited!!
HI Charlotte,
I’m glad you enjoyed today’s tutorial… ALL little dollies need purses! And now you can make as many as you want!
I’m so glad Gigi was thrilled with her new dress set! Yes, please send pictures… Ten Ping wants to see who “stole” her dress! When I tell her it’s her cousin, Gigi, she’ll be fine!
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Charlotte,
I saw your comment back to me about the lead icicles. Yes, I put them on one at at time and then take them off the same way. You do have to be very careful they don’t break, but I love them. I do wear gloves, but I’m sure no one worried or even thought about the lead in them in the past. I was too young to remember them being commonplace, but my grandparents tended to use the old-fashioned Christmas things even when newer things were available.
I would much rather have vintage things than new.
Cute purse, and a wonderful way to use up the little scraps left over from making a doll dress, Jeanne! I like a purse to open too, slthough it really doesn’t serve a purpose, since when are little girls carrying credit cards and lipstick? 🙂 It just makes it more “real”.
So cute to see Bailey there, smiling in the background! Little does she know……
I’m thinking maybe this new purse might be something you will be working on with a matching dress? It certainly is cute!
You are one busy lady, Jeanne! You just keep on going like the Energy Bunny!
HI Linda,
I guess I could include some lipstick and a credit card the next time I show a purse! :o)
This Energizer Bunny is a bit pooped right now… but she can’t stop now!
I just have to keep going…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne/Ladies Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I too like a purse that opens, makes it more realistic to me. I am looking into buying a serger and wondered what brand you use. Do you use it for other things than serging the edges of a garment? I have been overwhelmed with brands and types, what they do and so forth. I would like a basic starter so I don’t get overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to use it. Any thoughts, ideas would be appreciated. Carole
Thanks Carol,
My first serger came from J.C. Penney’s and I bought it because they said I could return it after a week if I didn’t like it. In an hour of using it, I was hooked… It lasted me 14 years…and I was in tears when I had to let it go.
I then got a Janome My Lock. It’s a basic serger and doesn’t have “air threading” and a bunch of bells and whistles, but I like it. If you have a sewing store in your area, maybe you could check with them and find one… the store here in town that sells sewing machines, gives lessons when you buy a machine.
I hope you find something…
Blessings, Jeanne
Carole, to add to what Jeanne said, I would bring along swatches of the fabrics you usually sew, and “test drive” some sergers on them. What do you sew on most? If you mostly do just one kind of sewing, that’s one thing, but if you’re like me, and your sewing can encompass anything from lightweight tricot to cotton wovens to swim wear to wool….yes, definitely bring pieces of those fabrics along to test! Also have them show you how to change from one type of overlock stitch to another (even simple ones have things like 3- and 4-thread options, for instance), and ask if some free classes are included! That will really help!
Primarily, though, shop your dealer. You want a dealer who will support you if you call with a question or problem, not shut you out. If you belong to a local sewing group or online group (for instance, out here we have a FB group called SeattleSews), ask for recommendations of dealers.
Great tutorials. Jeanne, you inspire to work. My girlfriends will have more bags 🙂
Thanks Alina,
I’m glad you enjoyed learning how to make a doll purse. I hope you make some for your dolls.
Blessings, Jeanne
Nothing like being accessorized in the buff. 🙂 Love the purse and tutorial. Thank you. That little bow in the front is the perfect touch. So sweet. Now, the girls here would like to know how to make an overnight bag. Something they can take along to slumber parties or to visit grandmother when the pandemic is over. Large enough for jammies, a toothbrush, and maybe that special teddy bear. These would probably be a good seller in your Etsy shop too. 🙂 They would be great stocking stuffers for many.
Sounds like that busy time of the year is happening in your area. Here, many counties have stepped back in the tiers and shortly, restaurants will be closed again except for take out. Hope your staff party is virtual. Can’t have unrelated households mixing here. On a bright note, so many have up outdoor decorations. The lights seem to lift everyone’s spirits. 🙂
I actually saw people putting up decorations before Thanksgiving this year. We all need something to pick up our spirits. This is what also happened after 9/11. I was afraid people would not decorate that year but it was better than ever. There’s just something about the lights and decorations that makes us feel joyful.
Hi Barbara,
The Christmas decorations are really nice here as well. I definitely remember them going up super early after 9/11 and staying up for months. Some was true during the Gulf War. I know we put Christmas outdoor lights up early November both times as did most of the neighborhood..
After 9/11 is when I started decorating my small porch tree with pink lights and decor for February and then green lights and decor for March to keep things cheerful through the winter months. I even have red, white, and blue for the summer.
HI Joy,
Yep, in the buff… didn’t have time to whip something up, just to show the purse.
I’m glad you liked today’s tutorial… and I fully expect to see lots of little purses for all those dollies of yours! :o) :o)
An overnight bag? Hmmm… I might have to think of that! I DO love a challenge!
There are lots of Christmas lights in our area too… I guess staying at home has allowed people to get that done…
Blessings, Jeanne
I really loved this tutorial. I think I’m going to try some of these purses and it is a great way to use up scraps, especially the remains of the faux suede I’ve used for skirts and things. A matching purse would be cute. The bow on the purse is perfect!
Joy mentioned decorations. I have my tree up but have not decorated it yet. I’ll do that today. And start putting up my village. My tree is pre-lit and sits in a corner window so it adds to the outdoor decorations even undecorated. We left the colored light strings around the house up from last year. It’s getting harder for us to put them up each year and we can’t seem to find much enthusiasm among our progeny to do it for us. We don’t live in a subdivision so no one bugs us about taking them down. Many people in town also leave them up. But we take down the icicle lights. Trying to decide whether to put them up or not this year. We have a neat little device David created for doing it, but it is still hard on our backs and his knees. I remember when we used to decorate the whole property around the house. We outlined the roof and the yard with lights. David made animated decorations that were amazing. But in time they wore out and the kids grew up and left home so it was never recreated. So these days most of the decorating is done indoors where I can retire to my recliner when I feel the need. Kids from some of the churches used to go around and put things up for older people but in the Era of COVID I haven’t seen the offer this year.
Thanks Barbara,
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing how I make these little purses… they are fun to make and I hope you do make some for your girls…
You are ahead of me because you are at least getting a few decorations ready and up. I haven’t done anything yet. Kristoffer brought a poinsettia to me today… and that’s looking pretty Christmasy to me.
I am actually trying to decide what to do about decorating this year… I’m thinking about passing on the decorating and use that time painting my kitchen cabinets. I REALLY want to get my kitchen done. I’ve been listening to Christmas music and I’m in a Christmas mood but I’m also in a decorating/painting mood… I guess we’ll see what wins out…
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Every doll purse needs Fake money! I have some I print. I have a simple wallet pattern too. It’s a hit with girls big and small! You could make a fake credit card, too. I also have a tiny lip balm that when I’ve used it up will become a doll prop.
HI Julia,
Yes, a purse with fake money… next time I’ll add money, lipstick and credit cards! :o)
Thanks Julia,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thank you for the tutorial Jeanne, I really don’t know how you find the time. After Christmas I must pull out the serger (we would call it an overlocker) I was given and learn how to use it. It would help a great deal with a lot of my projects, zigzag just isn’t the same.
I am very glad we have Christmas in the summer, my garden is the biggest amongst our (very small) congregation but my house is pretty small. I couldn’t have today’s Christmas party if people couldn’t spill outside. I have a large (20sq m) roof over my deck which means even if there is a bit of drizzle people can still go outside since it isn’t too cold. Probably wouldn’t work if we had a storm like we did last night but fortunately it didn’t last long and today is supposed to be fine.
I love the idea of fake money and fake credit cards Julia. Who knew that even dollies want credit cards lol.
We have a short, (half hour) programme after the news on weekdays which is sort of ‘infotainment’ called Seven Sharp. They have teamed up with one of the banks and have a spot called ‘ASB Good as Gold’. They give out an award (usually $10,000) every month to someone who has done a lot for their community. At the moment they are asking for nominations for Santa Awards for people who really need a lift this Christmas and I nominated Sam. She doesn’t know it yet! Last Christmas she started chemo on 18th Dec and it was every week all through the summer holidays. This was the really tough chemo when she lost her hair so she really wasn’t up to doing anything with the children. You’ll know from previous posts that Greg wouldn’t be interested in doing anything with them, too boring. She promised she would do as much as possible in the next holidays. We were in lockdown! Ok try next holidays. She had radiation every day for two weeks, the two weeks of the holidays. Then Greg got sick and because of being sick so long and only now being on part time (when he doesn’t end up back in hospital) there is no money for the next holidays and there is only so much you can do for free! Anyway I nominated her because they are in dire need of a proper holiday so I will let you know if she wins one.
Thank you Anne,
I’m sure you could give me a few pointers on making these purses… mine are only for looks not for real use like yours are! :o)
Well, I was thinking YOU needed to be nominated for this award, Anne… I don’t know anyone who deserves it more than you do… YOU DO SO MUCH! and give so much!
But if not you, Sam is a good second choice! I hope she wins!
Blessings, Jeanne
Thank you for the tutorial. I can’t wait to see which doll gets this purse to wear.
HI Debi,
Just wait!!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Thank you for the tutorial. The little purse looks great.
I saw some people with outdoor Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. It certainly does lift your spirits.
HI Laura,
When our kids were little, we used to drive around looking at the lights… I enjoyed that so much, and maybe we need to do that again…probably just me and my hubby though…
Blessings, Jeanne