How to Sew a Mini Handbag

I came across this project at Tendersmile Handmade on YouTube. I really liked it and thought to make it for myself and to share it with you in the meantime.  It is a terrific little bag to learn bag making skills. This mini handbag is not very big but it is perfect to carry a few things and to look really good while you are doing it.  I just love the black and white design of this bag. I know I am normally the queen of color but this black and white bag just called to me.  The classic colors and design are just perfect.  You will love to learn how to sew a mini handbag using this tutorial.  

Fortunately I had the fabrics for this project in my stash.  I am pretty sure that I purchased them at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores but you could head to Hobby Lobby, Fabric.com or onlinefabricstore.net to get exactly what you want for your your bag.  You don’t even need to stick with the black and white theme if you don’t want to.  I used some faux leather handles that I also had on hand for this bag.  You can get these at Amazon.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  

What you will Need; How to Make a Mini Handbag

• 1/4 yd upper fabric
• 1/4 yd lower fabric
• 1/2 yd lining fabric
• 1/2 yd Pellon 808 interfacing
• 2 1/2″ D Rings
• 1 Faux leather handle
• 1 12″ Zipper

Step 1: Cut your Mini Handbag Fabrics

• 2 Upper fabric pieces that measure 13″ x 4 3/4″
• 1 Lower piece that measures 13″ x 8 2/3″ 
• 1 Lining piece that measures 13″ x 16 1/2″
• Upper fabric piece that measures 3 1/8″ x 1 3/4″
• Upper Fabric piece that measures 4″ x 1 1/2″
• Interfacing that measures 15 3/4″ x 12 1/4″

Step 2: Create the D-Ring Tabs and Zipper Tab

Take the 3 1/8″ x 1 3/4″and fold the long edges to the center and press.  Fold the short ends in by 1/4″ and press.  Fold in half and press.  This is the zipper tab.  Take the 4″ x 1 1/2″ and fold the long edges to the center and press.  Fold in half lengthwise and press again.  Stitch along both long edges to enclose the raw edges.  Cut in half widthwise to create two D-Ring tabs.  

Step 2: Prepare the Zipper

Add the zipper tab to the end of the zipper by opening up the short end and placing it right sides together and stitching using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Fold in the sides and fold in half to the wrong side.  Stitch all the way around.  Fold down the top end of the zipper to the wrong side on each side of the zipper.  Hand stitch the ends in place.  

Step 3: Stitch the Outer Mini HandBag

Place one upper piece right sides together with the lower piece and stitch using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Stitch the other upper piece to the other side of the lower piece right sides together using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press open the seams.  

Step 4: Fuse the Interfacing

Fuse the interfacing to the center the bag on the wrong side using a hot iron and following the manufacturer’s instructions.  

Step 5: Add the D-Rings

Place the D-Ring tabs through the D-Rings.  With raw edges together place the tabs and the D-Rings 2 3/4″from the edge of one of the upper pieces and stitch.  Place the other tab and D-Ring on the other upper piece on the opposite side also 2 3/4″ from the side and stitch.  

Step 6: Add half of the Zipper

Measure 2″ from the each side of the upper piece and make a mark.  Open the zipper and place the open end on the left mark right sides down and pin.  Pin the zipper to the upper piece ending at the second 2″ mark.  Stitch the zipper between the two marks.  

Step 7: Add the Lining

Place the lining right sides down on the zipper and pin.  Stitch the lining to the upper piece and zipper.  Turn the piece right sides up. 

Step 8: Add the Second Half of the Zipper

Measure 2″ from each end and mark.  Fold up the bag so that the zipper meets the other upper piece.  Place the top of the zipper on the right mark and pin.  Pin the rest of the zipper until you get to the other 2″ mark.  Stitch the zipper between the marks.  Fold up the other side of the lining to meet the upper piece and zipper. Pin.  Stitch the lining to the upper piece and zipper.  

Step 9: Stitch the Mini Handbag

Open the bag so that it is wrong sides out.  Place the lining right sides together and the outer bag right sides together and pin.  Stitch both sides leaving an opening in one side of the lining for turning.  

Step 10: Create the Corners

Cut a rectangle out from all four corners that measure 1.57″ x 1.18″ (4cm x 3cm).  Pinch the bottom to the sides of each corner of the mini handbag and stitch across the seam that you create using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Turn the mini handbag right sides out through the opening in the lining and the opening in the zipper.  Stitch the opening closed using ladder stitch.  Topstitch all the way around the top of the mini handbag.  

Step 11: Create the Mini Handbag Corners

Pinch the sides of the mini handbag so that they create corners.  Do this for all for corners.  Stitch each corner using a 1/8″ seam allowance.

Step 12: Stitch the Mini Handbag lining

Turn the mini handbag wrong sides out. Pinch the center seam on each side and clip.  Stitch half way starting at the top using a 1/8″ seam allowance on both sides.  Turn right sides out.  Add the handles and you have finished your mini handbag.  

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