DIY Toddler Purse – 2 easy to make Bags for a Little Girl

Nothing like a small purse to make a little kid feel all grown up and girly. For a sewing mama, it will hardly take an hour to whip up one of these functional purses for the little princess. A make-believe game or a play date with her best friend – all occasions for a little girl’s purse.

Easy Peasy bag for little girls

Step 1 Cut out fabric for the bag. You need one outer bag fabric, One lining fabric and interfacing for these two in the same dimensions ie 9 inch wide by 16 inch long fabric .

Cut 2 fabric pieces 3 inch by 22 inch for handles. These go over the shoulder – you can make it shorter for a bracelet handle bag

Step 2 Sew the bags.

Make the outer bag by keeping the fabric folded and sewing the sides together. Here the outer fabric and interfacing for that are treated as one. I am using flannel for interfacing as it is very soft and fluffy.

Box the bottom edge by sewing across the corners 1.5 inches 

Make the lining bag the same way

Step 3 Make handles.

Use flannel interfacing for the handles also. You can  fold the handle fabric right sides together by the long side by half and stitch through almost the middle. Do not cut away the extra. 

When you turn this fabric tube right side out this extra will create a very fluffy handle for the bag.Make two handles ( or one, if you just want to attach one to the sides). Top stitch the handles along the two edges for a sturdy look.

Step 4 Now all these have to be joined together.

Keep the outer bag right side out, lining bag inside out

Keep the outer bag inside the lining bag. Keep the handles in between the lining bag and outer bag. Position them correctly as you want. Pin in place. 

Stitch along the top joining everything together. You have to leave two inches unstitched – for turning the bag right side out

Turn the bag right side out through this hole. 

Step 5 Close the hole by stitching with a hand sewing needle and thread or by machine. 

I have added a small ribbon flower layered on a fabric yo-yo, on the face of the bag.

If you want to make them check out the tutorial to make fabric flowers, ribbon flowers, and fabric yo-yo here. These purses can be customised in many ways -just change the dimensions to make it smaller (maybe not, it is small) or bigger, add some flower embroidery designs, paint her name or embroider her name, make it with patchworked fabric , add fabric bows or ribbon bows.  

Easy Denim and T-shirt Recycle purse

Step 1 Cut up an old t-shirt ( It should be a colorful one)  into 2 to 3 inch wide strips across. You need 6 such strips to make the handles of the purse

Cut open one side of these tubes you have cut. Stretch it out.

Braid it as you do with hair .

When you reach the end, join the short ends together with hand sewing needle. Keep aside. I have ridges in the braid – should have cut the overlocking stitches and seam allowance in the joint in the middle.

Step 2 Cut out the two bag pieces from the leg portion of an old jeans ( or use a thick fabric)

Cut it out

Step 3 I have done applique work on the bag front with the same t-shirt remnant. 

If you are unfamiliar with applique do check out this post on sewing machine applique and hand applique

When you are using knit fabric for applique you have it easy; no need to turn under the edges or use satin stitch to hide the edges. The fabric donot fray. Just sew a blanket stitch all around.

Step 4 Keep the two bag pieces – front and back right sides together and sew along the sides and bottom joining them together.

You can also box the bottom edge by sewing the corners.

The bottom portion will be boxed like this

Step 5 You can finish the bag sewing by keeping the handle circle you have made, on top of the top edge and stitch it . You should turn under the top edge first before joining the braided handle. Use a wide zigzag stitch for proper attachment. 

Related posts: Sew a dress for your little girl; Sew a gathered waist dress with back fastener.