Thursday, April 14, 2011

Placemat Handbag 2.0

A couple of years ago my friend Heather taught me how to make a handbag out of a placemat so I know this is not a new idea. BUT the other day I was at WM and saw the COOLEST placemats and the first thing I thought was those would make the best bags so of course I had to give it a go again. This is what I created with 2 placemats and a few embellishments.  I’m really happy with it and in the words of my husband…

 “I can’t believe you made that.”  Yeah, me either.

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I would normally show you how I did this but I decided that if I were to make it again I would do it differently so I’ll just hit the highlights.

Materials needed

2 place mats (these were only $3.00!)

material for lining and pocket

snap, grommets, rings,  purse clip ( all optional)

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I just used a quick cut, from the sewing sections that was just slightly bigger than the placemat on all sides.

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first I added a pocket to the lining I added a snap to keep the pocket closed.

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Then I added a side sections to both sides of the placemat, (this is the part I would do differently)

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So it ends up like this.

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Then I sewed in a piece of elastic on both sides so it would have the ruffled look.

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then I sewed the lining in.  *NOTE* about sewing this stuff.  You’ll want to use your longest stich if you make your stich to small it will just make it perforated and it will just make holes in it and use a heavy duty sewing needle.

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I used the rest of the 2nd placemat to make a strap and then I just started adding little embellishments.

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I also added a purse snap.

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Before

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AFTER

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love it

17 comments:

imperfectly natural mama said...

Wow, this really is quite amazing, you would never know it used to be place mats! It has a lot of potential. Thanks for sharing.

Charity said...

How clever are you. This is a great idea, thanks for sharing.

Cha Cha

Christa said...

This is totally impressive! It looks like a storebought purse. Great job! :)

Rustown Mom said...

You have some really made sewing skills - impressive!

Connie said...

That looks awesome!! Coming to you from feature friday. I am happy to be your newest follower. Please stop by for book club or blog design if you're interested--connie, measuredbytheheart.blogspot.com

Jessica said...

I love this! How would you have done the sides differently?

Sharon@thisthriftyhouse said...

HOLY MOLY Jaime!!! You super creative gal!! IT turned out amazing!!

Megan @ Cut the Craft! said...

This looks amazing! Really great work!

Megan
www.CutTheCraft.com

Marina said...

That is such an awesome idea! The purse turned out great!! Visiting from Justsewsassy.com

Jos @ keathley{chronicles} said...

This makes me wish I was a sewer (is that even a word!?)! So cute!

aStarToSteerHerBy said...

what a transformation! it looks great!!! I'm visiting from the Creative Itch linky.

The Fall Creek Chicken Coop said...

I love purses and this is adorable. I have been afraid to try the grommets but seeing this may make me experiment a little! I am over from Krafty Cat

ArtfullyJune said...

Oh wow, what a great bag. I see lots of great placemats but I never thought I could make them into such a fabulous purse.

Lyssa Beth said...

Oh. My. Goodness. I can't believe you made that out of placemats!! That's so awesome. And where did you find skin placemats? so cool. Great job!
Thanks for linking up to Thrifty Thursdays! Hope to see you next week...oh wait, tomorrow! ;)

Spunky Junky said...

Wow! This is so awesome. so creative and clever. I am featuring you tomorrow on SJ.

Halsey

Quiltstory said...

Crafty and clever! cute! Thanks for linking to Quiltstory!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I never would have guessed that was made from placemats. Great job! Thanks for linking it up to my party. :)