A purse made from plastic canvas.
Approximate Time: 2 hours
By Sandy from Bluff City, TN
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I'm new to plastic canvas, and I would like to know how to make a purse out of plastic canvas.
By Pam H.
I made one without a pattern using ten count mesh - one rectangular sheet stitched with a variegated (autumn colours) yarn.
Then folded over in half and stitched up the sides (whip stitch in the same yarn).
I used a bit of scrap fabric (brown corduroy) to make a flap (whip stitched with clear nylon thread to one side of the top). (I used the edge of a dinner plate as a rounded flap pattern; cut two, sewed wrong sides together leaving a bit at the straight side for stitching closed after turning; I stitched the flap to the bag by placing the two straight edges of the bag and flap together, whip-stitched then turned the flap to the front of the bag - it looked machine stitched).
I made a 'closure' with a bit of braided yarn sewn as a loop onto the underside of the flap.
A mock-wood toggle button stitched to the front of the bag made a
great catch for the braided loop.
Finally, to make a shoulder strap, I braided some more of the left-over yarn and stitched that to the bag. I got a lot of compliments on that bag!
There are dozens of videos on YouTube, hundreds of books for sale or at the local library - all of which will teach you how to make a bag using plastic canvas. You can also buy pre-formed shapes for clutch bags - all you need is a chart and the yarn+needle, and kits for totes that teach and include everything you need. Possibilities? Endless!
