Tutorial Tuesday: Paper Handbag
I am very excited about today’s tutorial. This coordinating set was designed by me for the Moxie Fab Bag Lady Challenge. If you do not have faux alligator skin paper don’t worry–you can create your own by using the Tiny Mosaic Texture embossing plate (pictured below) with brown or green paper. The tutorial for the wallet will be posted next week.
Supplies needed to make your handbag
Template (click here)
Two pieces of designer paper, or 1 designer and 1 cardstock
Alligator paper cut as follows:
12″ x 1″ (edging for around the top of the handbag)
2 – 1 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ (belt straps)
2 -9″ x 2″ (handle)
6 – 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ (front, side, back decorative corners)
Front panel for front of purse 3 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ and 3 1/4″ x 3/4″ (use whatever paper you use on the inside of your handbag)
Bone Folder
6 brads
Trace your template onto the back of two sheets of designer paper and cut out.
Adhere the wrong sides of paper together. I did not have enough paper so the top edge ran over the pattern part of the paper. Because alligator paper will wrap along the top of the handbag, it does not interfere with the finished product.
Bend the edges of the flaps inwards. Rub down with a bone folder.
Fold the purse edge down and press with bone folder.
Place adhesive on the folds. Lay front of purse down to allow the side of the purse to lay flat. Line up the left tip of the edge with the far right corner. Press securely to ensure a tight hold.
Cut alligator paper as directed above.
To create a nice edge for belt tip, lay belt against a pointed object, such as a die cut, and trim.
Before securing the 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ corners, place on each corner and hold in place and flip upside down. The corner should have a nice horizontal edge–no tilting or the purse will not look right.
Draw a cut line on the part of the paper that hangs over edge.
This is what your four trimmed pieces will look like. The remaining two pieces will be square and are to be used on the sides of the purse.
Directions for sewing (if you do not have a sewing machine you can adhere paper with double-sided tape or ATG tape) and adhering to handbag.
Front Panel: Place the 3 1/4″ x 3/4″ DP on top of the 3 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ DP and sew down the sides of the shorter piece. Adhere to the front of your handbag.
Side Belt: Fold the 1 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ belts in half. Trim the corner edge as shown in the above photo. Sew along all edges.
(6) 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ panel fronts, sides and backs: Sew around the perimeter of each square. Sew belt in place, ensuring the belt back is adhered onto the back panel. Add a brad at each of the two pointed ends of the belt. Each piece is now ready to be adhered to the handbag as shown.
Top Edging: Sew around perimeter of 12″ x 1″ paper. Fold in half. Place adhesive on wrong side and place around the top edge of the handbag. Press along the outside of the edging, leaving the backside edging up so that the brads (described below) can be punched through. Once the brads are punched through, you can adhere the inside of the edging to the DP.
Handles: Fold the 9″ x 2″ paper in half and sew around the perimeter. Place brads onto the ends of the handles and put through the designer paper.
For a complete list of my tutorials please visit the Tutorial page found at the top of my blog.
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20 People have left comments on this post
Jul 28, 2009 - 09:07:08Awesome! It looks so real–just by looking at the pic of your finaly project you’d never really know it was made from paper!
WOWZERS!!!!! This looks like the real deal- It is amazing! I can’t believe it is made of paper! It is sooooo COOL! You totally hit a HOME RUN with this!
OMG!!!! If you don’t win!!!!!!! I will be SO surprised! This is just AWESOME! TFS 🙂
Oh Em Gee!!!
The minute I saw this in my inbox I started Woo Hooing!!!
This is gorgeous! So real!
TFS :*) and Good Luck!!!
Ahh Beth,
This is ever so great! Your directions are clear and your results are FABULOUS!!!
I hope to give it a try and can’t wait to see more!
Hugs from Michigan
I did a double take, it really looks like a bag, Beth!
Great tutorial. The alligator paper sure looks real.
Jeanette
fabulous project, Beth! super fun!
Thank you!
Wow…at first glance I thought you were showing us a new purse until I read further! Your purse and wallet a stunning Beth!!! I love all the detailing of your project and your tutorial is fab! TFS!!!
hugs
Risa:)
Oh Wow!! this handbag is just Incredible!!…I thought it was real at first….just Amazing and so Gorgeous!!..Thanks for the fabulous tutorial!…Hugs, Ila
That purse and wallet are so totally awesome!!!!
Wow this is gorgeous! Great tutorial!!
This is fabulous – great tutorial too!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! :0)
I love challenges (and Nesties), so will stop by tomorrow to check out your next challenge…
Helen x
this is so cool!!!
SOOOooooooooh stunning! You are just way way WAY too great! Love the alligator skin! :O)
the pics are beautiful!!!
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stardvdcity
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The loan seem to be useful for guys, which are willing to start their business. By the way, this is very easy to get a car loan.
You mentioned in this Alligator paper handbag tutorial that you would post the instructions for the wallet. Do you have that anywhere? I’ve looked through your tutorials and can’t seem to find it.
Thanks so much!
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