Hi Everyone. This is my second attempt, lost the first lot somehow.

Here goes again:
You need for Purse size approx 18" x 12"

1/2 metre of each of the following:
Batik or brightly coloured fabric
3 different contrasting or blending colours
Light weight Calico
Lining material
Optional Bag Handles

Sewing machine/ Thread/Sharp Scissors/Long Ruler (with 45 Deg if available), Pencil.

Decide on the order of fabrics (1 Top 2 middle and 1 bottom plus 1 Calico layer. The CALICO needs to be cut 1" bigger than the top and middle two layers of FABRIC.
On your CALICO layer, mark the first pencil line at 45 degree angle from the left to the right hand corner PHOTO 1
Mark subsequent lines 3/8" aprt, parallel to the first line, completely cover the calico with lines.
If you are confident and have an attachment on your sewing machine to guide you, it will only be necessary to draw the first line in pencil, then using the sewing machine attachment; all subsequent rows of stitching can be aligned with the first one.
Now with the lines on the calico facing the table, layer up the other fabrics right side up. First the bottom layer, the middle two layers next, then the TOP fabric.

Butt the edges of the smaller sized three upper layers to the two larger sized layers along two edges leaving a wider piece jutting out on two adjacent sides on the bottom and calico layers.

TACK through all layers at fairly close intervals to stop the layers "Travelling" while stitching along the pencil lines later.
Working from the BACK with the lines upwards and starting with the centre line stitch along all the lines with a small straight stitch. Sew all the lines on your calico moving outwards on either side.

NOW your are ready to cut. DO NOT CUT the CALICO or the BOTTOM LAYER OF MATERIAL. Cut through the 3 layers with sharp pointed scissors. it is easier to hold the wider lower layers (Calico and bottom fabric which shows outside the top layers) The Scissors will be guided in a central path between the stitched lines.

TO MAKE the BAG HANDLES:
Cut a piece of material 2" wide x the desired length PLUS calico and the 4 fabrics and machine again throught the lines as before.
Cut a lining to match these handles.

NOW... WASH your fabric which you have just cut and Tuble dry if possible.
This makes the fabric fluff out and the wavy edges more pronounced.

TO MAKE LINING and COMPLETE THE PURSE

TRIM Faux Chenille panel to required size I made mine 18" x 13"
FOLD in half and sew both seams from top to bottom.
Take the bottom corner and fold the fabric so the seam lies on top of the fold.

Measure 1 1/2" from the point and stitch straight across. PHOTO 2

Repeat on other corner. This gives the bag a nice flat base to stand up.
For the Lining. Make a little pocket and sew onto your lining. Fold the inwards, so the pocket is on the inner side and sew up the lining, repeating the points as before.

Cut a piece of Cardboard for the base of your bag and place inside.
Put your Lining inside the bag and Pin to the top of your bag. PHOTO 3

Make bag handles by turning in and pressing a narrow edge on both sides of the Chenille handles and do the same with the corresponding lining piece, but turn in the edges slightly more.
PIN the HANDLES to the OUTSIDE of the purse. PHOTO 4
I have used Wooden handles but the same principle applies, just make a tab to hold them on and SEW along the TOP.

Cut a piece of Binding the same as your LINING and pin to the outside of the bag PHOTO 5
STITCH around the top and turn into the bag.
CUT carefully along the top of your bag to 1/4".
Turn the Binding to the inside so that none of the binding is showing on the outside of the bag and Turn up a hem on the binding and slip stitch in place.

VOILA tis complete. Well done. :D :D

ANY QUESTIONS will be answered should you require further help.
Elle

Here we have PHOTO 4 and 5 and 6 the finished article

Here are some pretty Purses made by our Group

Elle: Thanks so much for taking the time to give us these clear instructions. Have been wanting to make a purse of the quilted variety and this seems manageable. By the way, my 20 month-old granddaughter is named Elle. :-) :-) Thanks again!

Wonderful tutorial, thank you so much! :D :D :D

Glad you could understand them and thought they were clear :D :D

That was my worry that you found them a bit long and boring and I tried to cut it down, but do you think I could savvy how to get the pictures with the links I had made, no it defeated me.

Yes Elle has got quite popular, my name is Eleanor but just gets shortened down..

Elle

Thanks Amma my pleasure :D :D

Oh dear, you did a wonderful job Ellie, thank you so much, but i dont understand how to make the fabric at all. I'm sorry...and what is calico, and why is it bigger, and why do some layers of fabric get cut in strips but not bottom layer? Is it like a rag quilt kind of? So sorry

Barb M:here is another site which shows the process

Sorry, didn't do the link right.
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/chenille/chenille_blanket.html

Hi there, Well to answer your questions Calico is a type of fabric, usually a cream colour and a bit stiffer than fabric, it is used to help make the purses firmer.

Your cut only the top 3 layers so that you have a fabric that will tone and show through your cut work.

Hope that helps

Thanks for the tutorial. All the purses are so pretty. A group of us made Chenille vests one time and it was so interesting how different they all were. One gal used gold lame, it was real flashy and dressy. I used animal print flannel, that turned out very cool too. I would post a pic but have been trying to and it won't work. Yes, Iv'e been following the directions. ???????????

Your totes are really nice. I spent the money for a Olfa chenille cutter and I was disappointed with it. I tried it on regular fabric and flannel. It cost nearly $30.00 so I'm glad I had a coupon to use also. Wish I had known about the scissors, that does make a lot of sense. Had a nice day. Deb

After cutting chenille several different ways, the only way I will do it now is with an electric scissors - fast and easy and no hand pain !! :)

What a great thing you have done for all of us here!! That is so cute!! We just did room rugs doing the same technique...but, I'd rather have this cute purse!!:))I love the look when the fabric gets used a bit too...great job!! You did good girl!! Skeat

Great idea for cutting too!! They have a little tool that slides under the layers that you just pull across. Used for this technique...but, leave it to a smart quilter...they always come up w/other great ideas!! Electric scissors!! Skeat

Thanks Skeet, it was my pleasure and the first Tute I have ever done and really enjoyed it. Room rugs sound really good though, never thought of that, See we get so many good ideas on this board. Love it :D :D :D

Elle I think I have a pattern for bathroom mats which gives a similar look, but uses a different technique I will find it and post it here if you would like it!!

OOh yes please. that would be good. Thanks Izy....

I will try to find it now.....errrmmm now where is it amongst the thousands of patterns tee hee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That wasn't the bath mat I thought it was tee hee, I will try and find the right one!!!

Right Elle, I GIVE UP!! thats not the one either :? :roll:

I will go through the files properly and WHEN I find the one I am thinking of I will post it!!!! :lol:

Izy, think your like me girl, too much excitement in one day is just too much. I had to have a siesta when I came home I was frazzled. Today was just the best.

Elle

Elle - Its 3.30 in the morning, been to bed - got up!! My brain won't rest = its still too excited lol!!! :D

Thank you so much for the tutorial. Your pictures are a big help for me.