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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Military_Mom
Date: 08-12-2005, 09:46 PM (1 of 9)
My sister's friend wants me to make her a quilted purse and she wants 2 dividers/ compartments inside as well as an inside and outside pocket. ( I may have to omit an inside pocket...not sure yet. I've made a few quilted tote bags before but never with any dividers. Can anyone help me with how I would put those in? I can pretty much figure out how to attach those to the sides, but what about the bottom of the bag? THAT'S what I need help with the most. OR if anyone knows where I could find a pattern for a purse like that, I'd appreciate that info too. Thanks for any help!

~Becky
User: Military_Mom
Member since: 01-10-2005
Total posts: 109
From: Hogmami
Date: 08-13-2005, 12:12 AM (2 of 9)
I can see the outside and inside pockets but have been thinking about the dividers. I would think you would have to made them stiff, not with quilt batting. I was thinking that you could use plastic canvas in the dividers. Make a pocket and leave the bottom open and put the plastic canvas in. I just haven't figured out how to sew it to the bottom. Maybe you could tack it to the bottom and sew the sides with the side seams. I don't know if this makes any sense.
Carolyn
Michigan
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004
Total posts: 800
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-13-2005, 12:36 AM (3 of 9)
I did a tote/purse somewhat like what you describe.
The divider was a pocket --two pieces sewn right sides together and lined then turned right side out with a zipper at the top.
That was sewn between the purse lining with right sides together so when it is turned right side out the pocket is across the middle. Then, of course the lining is sewn into the purse. Mine was a heavy enough fabric -- about the weight of corduroy -- that it stood up on its own because it was stretched the width of the bag.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: Sancin
Date: 08-13-2005, 01:22 AM (4 of 9)
I had a leather purse I loved that had dividers so I copied the pattern to make an ultrasuede purse - years ago but don't see why it couldn't be a quilted purse. Essentially it was two bags (like sacs but could be any shape) sewn together making a top opened centre section --> 3 divided sections. The centre 'walls' were a little shorter than the outside walls then a gusseted zipper inserted across the top to the 2 outside walls. I didn't line the ultra suede but could have just by lining each section before sewing together or after sewing across around each top. I put pockets on the outside so I didn't have stitch lines from inside pockets showing on the outside. If you line the purse you could attach (hand sewing is probably easiest) an number of pockets any where you want on the lining. The purse had 2 straps, one from each outside section but something else could be adapted if single strap needed. Try making one up in cheap fabrics before you cut and sew any lovely quilting. I wish I could draw! You end up with two parallel bottoms this way which makes it firm and no stiff interfacing required.

Good Luck.

PS I used bias binding on all the outer seams which made the purse fairly firm but only did it for accent.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
From: bridesmom
Date: 08-13-2005, 07:25 PM (5 of 9)
Mary had a link to a website that I found a cute little purse on
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/ (Lazy Girl Designs) / and I just HAD to buy the pattern, haven't gotten it yet, but it sounds like there are lots of little compartments in it.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: allie-oops
Date: 08-14-2005, 08:08 AM (6 of 9)
I LOVE lazy girl patterns - I've made the Gracie handbag and it's awesome and oh so easy. I want Veronica next.
Allie
"onward through the fog"
User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002
Total posts: 282
From: Military_Mom
Date: 08-14-2005, 04:18 PM (7 of 9)
Thanks for your ideas. I do like the idea, Dorothy, of having the pocket being the divider so I may try that. I'll be quilting the material myself so maybe I can use 'non quilted' fabric with a little something (fusable interfacing?) there to stabilize the sides of the pocket. When I asked the lady at Joann's what to use for in between the quilting layers, she advised me not to use the fusable because it 'gummed up' the machine...anyone else have that problem?
Also, I LOVE the lazy girl patterns,too. I've made the City Tote and a couple of the Towne Purses....they're too big for what I want to make now, though. The lady that wants the bag made, basically wants the bag smaller than the Towne Purse with dividers so maybe I can adapt that pattern somehow and make a pocket for the divider.
Thanks again for the input!
~Becky
User: Military_Mom
Member since: 01-10-2005
Total posts: 109
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-15-2005, 07:16 AM (8 of 9)
I know there are a lot of things different people don't like about fusible interfacing but I have never heard of it "gumming up" a machine. I think perhaps this woman is not much of a sewer herself and is thinking of a product not made specifically for garment construction.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: mamahoogie
Date: 08-15-2005, 07:01 PM (9 of 9)
Have you looked at the commercial patterns at all? I just bought one from McCall's #0SZ, designed by Nancy Zeiman, and it has a divider in it. I haven't made it yet but I expect to use her design for the divider in other purses too. It was on sale at Fabricland for $2.99 Canadian instead of the listed price of $15.95 U.S. - which I think is ridiculous for a pattern.
Violet
:Canada:
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002
Total posts: 461
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