- 1). Measure and cut two rectangles 14 inches wide by 20 inches long from the purse fabric and two rectangles 14 inches wide by 20 inches long from the lining fabric. Cut four rectangles from the lining fabric 8 inches wide by 10 inches long for two lined pockets.
- 2). Place two pocket rectangles with the right sides facing, and pin them. Use the sewing machine to sew around all four sides using a 1/2-inch seam allowance and leaving a 3-inch opening on one long edge for turning. Turn the pocket right side out and press with the iron. Hand sew the opening closed. Lay one lining rectangle on your work surface with the right side up and the short sides running horizontally. Measure down 3 inches from the top edge and center the sewn pocket rectangle with the short edges running horizontal. Pin the two long sides and the bottom of the pocket rectangle to the lining. Topstitch 1/4 inch from the three pinned edges to create the pocket. Repeat with the other pocket rectangles and the remaining lining piece.
- 3). Place the two purse fabric rectangles together with the right sides facing each other. Pin the two long edges and one short edge for the purse bottom. Sew the pinned edges using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Place the two lining pieces together with the right sides facing and the pockets running the same direction. The opening of the pockets are just below the top edge of the purse. Pin the side edges and the bottom of the lining. Sew the pinned edges using a 1/2-inch seam allowance and leaving a 3-inch opening in the bottom seam for turning.
- 4). Turn the sewn purse bag right side out. Slip the purse bag inside the lining bag. Line up the top edge and the side seams. Pin the top edge together. Sew around the pinned top edge using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Press the purse and the top edges. Topstitch around the top of the purse 1/4 inch from the edge.
- 5). Lay the purse flat on your work table. Measure across the the top edge to find the center. Measure down 1 inch and mark with an ink pen. Place another mark between the center mark and the left seam and another between the center mark and the right seam. Turn the bag over and repeat for the other side. Place a mark on each seam. You will have a total of eight marks. These are the placement marks for the grommets.
- 6). Insert the point of a seam ripper into the center of each mark and make a small slit through the purse fabric and the lining. Insert the center post of a grommet front into the slit. Place the grommet back over the post on the inside of the purse. Lay the grommet face down on a scrap of wood with the back of the grommet, on the inside of the purse facing up. Place the grommet tool over the back of the grommet. Pound the tool with a hammer to snap the grommet halves together. Repeat with the remaining grommets and marked slits.
- 7). Cut two pieces of 1/4 inch wide cording, 36 inches long, for the drawstring of the grommet purse. Place the purse flat on your work table. Insert one end of one cord into the left side seam grommet, working to the right, and thread it out the next grommet. Repeat the in-and-out pattern around the purse, but skip the right-hand seam grommet. End by coming out the first grommet you went in. Bring the ends together and tie in an overhand knot 2 inches from the ends. Insert the end of the remaining cord through the right side seam, and repeat the in-and-out pattern around the purse, but skip the left side seam grommet. Tie the ends in a knot. To close the purse, pull the knotted ends of the cords at the same time. To open, place your fingers in the top of the purse and pull apart. The drawstring is also the handles of the purse.
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