Place Mat Purse
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Turn an inexpensive place mat (perhaps a spare from your dining set) into a fun and functional clutch purse with this great tutorial. This easy sewing project makes a great, quick gift.
I enjoy crating crafts out of already existing things. It must be the Maria Von Trap in me – ripping down curtains to make dresses for the children. I enjoy using bed sheets, pillow cases, dishtowels and other materials to create. It helps you to look at things in a whole new way and cuts down on waste when you repurpose what you have. Not to mention save money!
While wandering through Home Goods I spotted a beautiful place mat on clearance. There were not enough to set the table and for $2 I knew I could make it into something. A book cover? Pillow? The pattern screamed summer so I settled on a little summer clutch.
For this craft you want a stiff placemat - one that can fold and bend but will be sturdy enough to carry your things. Last thing you want is all your things falling out and all over the place. The good thing about a clutch you make your self is that you can decide how big you want the pouch to be. You can fold everything evenly or you can have your flap be a little smaller so you can carry more – that is what I did.
OK – Here we go:
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Lay your placemat on a flat surface and decide how big you want your pouch to be. Fold the right sides together and pin along the edge.
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My place mat was “hemmed on all four sides. I sewed in from the hem you can choose based on how big you want your bag to be.
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Turn the bag inside out. Be sure to push out your corners.
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On the flap – fold in and again sew in from the hem or so it is lined up with the pouch.
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I used a clip on earring that I took apart and sewed on for a little decoration on the front. You can add a snap, ribbons or whatever you want – be sure to make it your own!
- Fill it with what you need for a night on the town and enjoy!
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Zsigrayc 3501243
May 16, 2011
I have made many of these for make-up. Summer, Christmas time, Halloween. Use the table runners too. I buy mine cheap at Kohl's on clearance. If you stitch a matching napkin inside you can also make little pockets or put in a lining. Velcro helps keep it closed.
topolx 8286227
Jan 11, 2011
That is beautiful fabric, colorful and cheerful. Step No: 3. "Turn the bag inside out. Be sure to push out your corners." This would be awfully hard to do if it is a stiff, plastic placemat I would think, even a stiff cardboard might be hard to do step 3 ?
Fifi
Oct 18, 2010
Hi, i am doing an ICT GCSE and it is required for students to collect upcycling ideas for their coursework. Please may i use your idea in my coursework? It would be most helpful if you could reply ASAP Thanks Efisia
joni53
Oct 01, 2010
My daughter has a daycare business, and we're always looking for ideas for crafts. We made these clutches and added a sturdy ribbon strap. The place mats had beads already sewn on, so they looked pretty fancy. I paid just 50 cents for the place mats on clearance!
didough
Apr 11, 2010
So is this completely flat with no side panels (gussets)? If so, there will be hardly any room inside surely ...
Crafter 6468444
Apr 03, 2010
We used to use placemats to make aprons, and used wide ribbon as the ties around the neck and the waist
cotton
Apr 03, 2010
OMG how creative. I will never look at place mats the same way again. Needless to say, I will be stocking up on them. BJ Lav
Annie and my artif acts
Apr 03, 2010
fantastic... I don't know if anyone has a Big Lots near them, but nice place mats sell for 2 for $1.00 there and they have more decorative ones for a whole $2.00 or $3.00 if you want to spend a fortune..lol. This is a Fantastic craft, I am a iffy sewer, but even I was able to make one by hand sewing very very carefully... I braided a strap and connected it with large jewelry claw clips so it can be taken off...lined it with some very nice silk scraps that I had from an old blouse that had some stains...didn't use the stained parts...(=
DebbieKinIL
Apr 03, 2010
I recently bought some samples patches of Waverly home decor fabric, with this type of project in mind. Sounds so easy!
sunnyt
Mar 25, 2010
this is so cute! I keep thinkiing of different ways to use it! a casual handbag with a braided strap......a dressy one with added gems.....fun fun fun!!!
LG32
Mar 23, 2010
Love the idea I will make these with my granddaughters who like to sew. Thanks for sharing a wonderful simple idea.
Mods
Mar 22, 2010
I have made similar purses from cloth napkins as well, and you can easily add a strap using ribbon or cording if you want an over the shoulder style.
laurelleeinlove
Mar 13, 2010
fantastic. and a creative alternative to the place mat tote bags. Mine turned out too cute...I'm going to try a larger one as a laptop cover too.
Crafter 21109
Nov 27, 2009
I think this is such a sweet idea! I have 5 daughters and am thinking this is something I can shop the $ Store for and make a really pretty purse for each one. Thank you so much for the great idea! Merry Christmas!
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