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A four year old can sew this purse

Okay, so it's really more of a floppy, wonky clutch,
and I helped, but… 

Pillow cases sewn on Ladies' Day
We got a really nice variety with each person
choosing their own fabric.

…it is still a bag a kid can make then use to carry their treasures. All you need is a fat quarter, but let's start at the beginning.

In October, my aunt hosted, Ladies' Sewing Day. Everybody brought fabric, and, those of us who had them, brought our sewing machines. We spent the day making pillow cases for the pediatric unit at a local hospital. It was a great time, and ever since, Laney has been begging and begging for a "kid sewing machine."

Weeks later, it was about time to start Christmas shopping. As I was wandering through Wal*Mart, I saw a kid sewing machine! It's a little chintzy and recommended for age six and up, but it's a kid sewing machine!

I had decided I wasn't going to buy any toys for Christmas this year, because I wanted to give the kids gifts which would engage them and require they actually do something. A sewing machine was perfect. Plus, she really, really wanted one.

If you give a kid a sewing machine, they will want to make something with it. Laney wanted to make a vest for her baby sister. (Awwww!) I suggested a purse might be an easier first project. So, here is what we did.
So proud: Laney admires her handiwork.
The dart-like triangle starting at the side seam and
extending to the corner of the top flap shows our design
isn't perfect, but it works.
• Fold the fat quarter, the short way, right sides together. Sew the long edge and one of the short edges.
If you want to do this the "right" way, you would sew the long edge to make a tube, then shift the tube so the seam ran down the middle with folds on both edges, press the seam open, then sew across the bottom. Knowing Laney wouldn't have the dexterity, or the patience, to guide the seam under the presser foot, we did it the easy way.
• Now, you should have a little bag. Turn it right side out and press flat. I just used my hands.

• Fold the bottom (the short side with the sewn edge) up. This is making the pocket of the purse. The top part is going to be a flap which folds over, so adjust until you like the proportions.

• Sew along the two sides.

• Now turn the bag again to hide the new seams, but leave the right side showing..

• This step is easier to do than to explain, so, please, bear with me. At the top, is a raw edge which is hidden by folding it down in between the two layers. I do this by pinching a side seam in each hand, thumbs near the top edge. I slide my thumbs toward my fingertips, which brings the raw edge down inside (a half inch or so), leaving clean, folded edges at the top.  After everything is folded and flattened back out, sew across the top. When we did this, the flap got a little wider at the seam than the purse itself. Big deal, it's a kid project. It's part of the charm.
Ta-daaa! You're done.

We didn't add any type of closure, because it was almost bed time, but you could. Those little Velcro buttons would be nice and easy.  Laney wants to add a handle, which isn't going to be so easy.

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