Precious Pillowcase Purse

Here is the perfect combination of recyclable crafts and do-it-yourself bags. This Precious Pillowcase Purse is a functional and cute piece that could get rid of some clutter and simultaneously store all of your stuff. Create a bag that you absolutely love out of some of your favorite patterns. This is easy to make and is very budget friendly. Your friends will love your new accessory. Get ready to tell them that your chic purse used to be a pillowcase.




Materials:

• 2 pillowcases
• Ric rac
• 2 plastic washers
• Thread

Instructions:

1. Cut bottoms off both pillow cases, about 4-5".
   
   
    
2. Embellish the stitch line at the opening of the printed pillowcase with green ric rac. Let's bring back ric rac!!
   
   
    
3. Turn printed pillow case inside out. Slide printed pillowcase inside solid one so that the cut end of printed case meets uncut end of solid one.
   
   
    
4. Fold raw ends on printed case 1/2" and press. Repeat. Pin to end of solid pillow case. Repeat this process on the opposite end folding and pressing the solid case.
   
   
    
5. At this point your project should look like this. Both ends neatly folded, pressed and pinned in place.
   
   
    
6. Decide how deep you want your bag to be. Mark and sew along the mark. Fold up the bottom part of the pillow case as shown.
   
   
    
7. Decide how many pockets you want your bag to have.
   
   
    
8. In the back, sew the folded up part flat. You can sew pockets in the back as well if you like.
   
   
    
9. Turn bag inside out and push corners out. Measure from corner 1-1/2". Pin and sew. Repeat on other corner.
   
   
    
10. Tack down corner as shown or cut off excess to about 1/4" from stitch line.
    
    
     
11. Create a casing by sewing two stitches 1" apart around pillowcase top. Make a button hole in the middle front.
    
    
     
12. Cut long and short ends off your pillowcase bottoms.
    
    
     
13. Sew together short ends of solid fabric to create one long strip. Fold lengthwise right sides together, press and pin. Use some interfacing to give a bit more body to the strap. Sew, turn inside out and press.
    
    
     
14. Sew together short ends of printed fabric to create one long strip. Cut in half lengthwise. Fold in long ends press and sew to create long drawstring.
    
    
     
15. Pin safety pin to end of drawstring and thread through casing. Tie knots in end to keep them from slipping back in to casing.
    
    
     
16. Slip ends of strap in to the opened top of of bag. Insert strap in the front left and back right of top opening. Pin.
    
    
     
17. Sew top opening closed.
    
    
     
18. Draw string.
    
    
     
19. View of inside bag.