Free Lip Purse Pattern + Tutorial
As you might guess, bag sewing is one of my favorite things to do. Bags are so fun to make, and I love the way they come together in (at least theory), perfect symmetry. I know that many of you love sewing bags too! Our Airdrie Bag Pattern is among the most popular of all the patterns in our shop, and I love sewing bags for both myself and my little ones (insert comment about unhealthy toddler backpack addiction here…). Today I’m sharing this fun new Free Lip Purse Pattern + Tutorial and hope you enjoy sewing it as much as I did!
This adorable fabric line is Kiss Me Kate, designed by my friend Kate from See Kate Sew (see the correlation there? ;)) for Riley Blake Designs. It’s full of fun girly prints, and some great stripes that we all love to sew with!
When Kate sent me some fabric to play with, I was originally planning to make a Magrath Dress for one or both of my girls. But then when the idea popped into my mind to make a lip purse, I just couldn’t resist. Cause what could be cuter than lip fabric on a lip shaped purse?! And I think I even still might have enough fabric for a dress, so you may just be seeing one of those around here after all in the near future…
The lip purse is designed for 2-10ish year olds – I love the look of a tied strap, and the tie makes it a perfect fit for my 4 year old Hattie with cutting the strip the WOF (width of fabric). Untied, it should be a great fit for an 8-10 year old.
I wanted the purse to have a clean finish on both the inside and out, so it’s fully lined and there’s no need to bias tape to finish any seam allowances. It took a bit of fanangling to figure out the method, but now that I know it works, I want to use it on our free heart backpack pattern next!
I think this little bag might be my new go to gift for birthday parties. Fill it with some cute lip glosses and other tiny toys and it will be a hit! My SIL Angie made my kids adorable little peg dolls years ago and they’re still well loved!
Below you’ll find the link to where you can download and print the pattern pieces, and you’ll be sewing in no time!
Free Lip Purse Pattern + Tutorial
Supplies:
fabric – 1/4yd main and 1/4yd lining – both of my fabrics are from the Kiss Me Kate line by See Kate Sew for Riley Blake Designs
8″ or longer non-separating zipper
fusible interfacing – I like to use fusible fleece to give the purse extra body, but you can use regular fusible interfacing if you’d prefer
Lip Purse Pattern that you can download for free HERE – you’ll be taken through our checkout process, but no payment info will be asked for. Print pattern pieces at 100% (no scaling), and assemble pages together.
*All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise noted.*
Gather supplies and cut out fabric and interfacing as instructed on pattern pieces (be sure to also cut the strap and zipper tab pieces – measurements are given on pattern pages). Trim seam allowances from interfacing pieces.
Fuse interfacing to wrong side of main fabric pieces, following manufacturer’s instructions. I normally layer a lightweight fusible interfacing between the fabric and fusible fleece, but didn’t this time as I didn’t want to add too much stiffness, and it worked well. On larger projects, I wouldn’t recommend skipping it as the lightweight fusible gives a nice base to attach the fusible fleece to.
If your zipper is longer than 8″, measure and mark it 8″ from the top stop.
Place main and lining zipper tabs right sides together with zipper sandwiched between, with edge of zipper tabs 1/2″ from top zipper stop. Main fabric tab should be facing right side of zipper. Stitch tabs to zipper, 1/2″ from edge of tabs – you’ll be stitching right next to the top zipper top but be careful to not stitch through it! Press zipper tabs away from top stop.
Repeat steps above with remaining zipper tabs and bottom of zipper, aligning stitch line with 8″ marking and 1/2″ from edge of zipper tabs. Trim zipper end.
Sandwich zipper between front bottom main fabric and lining, with zipper and main fabric RST.
Pin together, matching straight raw edges of main fabric and lining with edge of zipper tape. Stitch along pinned edge, 1/4″ from raw edges.
Place wrong sides of main fabric and lining together and press flat along seam.
Repeat steps above to attach opposite edge of zipper tape to front top main fabric and lining. Trim corners at zipper tabs to follow shape of back piece. I always love seeing this part of my lip purse pattern coming together!
To make strap, fold strap piece in half, matching long edges, and press. Fold each long raw edge to center and press. Open fold and attach interfacing to one center section between folds.
Fold strap back along pressed lines and press. Topstitch close to each long edge.
Place straps horizontally as marked on pattern piece and baste in place. Trim overhanging corners of strap ends.
Open zipper. Did you open the zipper? Good, then let’s move on… Right sides together, pin and stitch main fabrics front and back together around outside edge. Strap can hang out of zipper while stitching – be sure to not get it caught in stitches.
Is your zipper still open? Great, it should be! Place back lining and front linings right sides together and stitch around outside edge, leaving 3″ gap in stitches at bottom. I find it easiest to allow the strap to hang out at the opening to reduce bulk while stitching. Trim seam allowances and corners, leaving seam allowances at opening untrimmed.
Press lining back seam allowance 1/2″ toward wrong side, curving to follow lining front stitch line.
Turn front and back lining right sides out through opening. Use ladder stitch or other invisible stitch to hand stitch opening closed (this is where the seam allowance pressing you did earlier is a big help).
Turn main fabrics right side out through zipper (because you left it open ;)) and press bag flat along outer edge. Tie strap in a knot at top if desired (perfect for my 4 year old to wear cross body, but an 8 year old will likely need the full length to wear the purse cross body).
Great job! You’ve finished sewing our lip purse pattern! Now go ahead and fill it with some special treats for a special little someone in your life!
Thanks for using our Free Lip Purse Pattern + Tutorial! For more patterns, visit our shop and free pattern gallery!
Thank you, darling! I am early but will make this now for next Valentines Day for 4 little grands.
Nothing better than having it done early!
Thank you for the cute pattern! I’m going to add a breakaway clasp on the strap. I’ll tag you when I get some done😊