How to Crochet a Fabric Purse

Economic challenges led me to this idea. Not able to afford yarn to work with, I cut fabric into strips making fabric yarn from my fabric stash in the closet. Lightweight cotton like sheets works best for this project. The same concept and thicker fabric can be used to construct baskets.

Here's the how to of making a crocheted fabric purse. I must let you know, that by no means am I an expert, neither at crochet or at taking and posting pictures.

1. Pick your fabric. This purse takes a lot of fabric to make so be sure to use a very large piece like an old sheet. I think this particular purse took about 2 or 3 yards of fabric.

2. Cut the fabric into strips 3/4" to 1" wide.

3. Tie the strips together to form a ball of fabric yarn.

4. Crochet a block of 15" x 6" for the body of the purse. I used a size H, 5 mm crochet hook.  I stitch using the double crochet.  This makes the block grow faster. 

5. Cut the loose pieces of fabric from the knots tied together that didn't work into the crochet pattern

6. Fold the purse body in half. Crochet closed the side and bottom using a slip stitch.

7. Crochet the handle to the desired shoulder drop using a row of single stitching and then a row of double stitching crochet.  Attach the handle to the purse body. You can choose to hand sew the strap onto the purse or to attach it with crochet stitching.

8. Turn the purse inside out to hide the closing seams.

9. Cut two pieces of the same fabric you crocheted with slightly bigger than the purse. This allows for the seam allowances and to turn the lining top under when stitching in place. I usually lay the purse on top of the fabric and cut around the shape to get my lining. Cut out two pieces of 5" strips from the fabric yarn. These will be used to close the purse.

10. Sew a seam on both sides of the lining pieces cut out making sure the right sides are facing in.  Sew the bottom if you didn't cut on the fold.

11. Tuck the lining pouch inside the purse. Pin in place at the top edge. Put one closing tie in the middle of the top edge on both sides of the purse. Pin these under the lining pouch.

12. Hand stitch the lining in place. Tie the closing pieces of fabric into a bow.

13. Show off and impress your friends!