Level: All

Jennie discovered that using this method she could make two purses out of one placemat.

She says, "I kept one for myself and then made five more as gifts." She recommends double sewing all the seams to make the bag sturdy enough to carry lots of things.

Janome Supplies Required:

• Any Janome Sewing Machine
• Blue Tip needle 75/11

Fabric and Notions:

• One woven placemat
• All purpose sewing thread to match or coordinate placemat
• Embroidery floss (optional)
• 1 1/2 yds of cording for strap
• Decorative beads
• One shank button
• Large eye hand sewing needle
• Fabric marking pen

Instructions

1. Fold the placemat in half widthwise to find center. Mark center with a fabric marker or iron a crease.
2. Set up your Janome sewing machine for straight stitch. Insert a 75/11 Blue Tip needle. Place all purpose sewing thread in the needle and bobbin.
3. Sew a straight stitch on each side close to the center line. Cut on the center line.
   Note: I do this step because the placemat is woven and will unravel after cutting in half.
4. Turn up one end of the placemat 7". Using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew down each side twice.
5. Turn the handbag inside out.
6. At each bottom corner, form a 1" (approximate) gusset. This will give the bottom corners of the handbag a squared or boxed finish.
   

1. On the flap side of the bag, place a mark 1" in from each side seam. Place two more marks, 1/2" apart below the 1" mark. You should have three marks on each side.
   Note: The marks are on the opposite side of the handbag opening.
   
2. Starting at the bottom mark, weave the cording in and out on the three marks. The cording should end up on the opening side of the bag. Repeat weaving for the opposite side of the handbag using the other end of the cording. The weave of the placemat should allow you to work the cording in and out but if desired you could make three buttonholes. Tie the ends of the cording with a knot.
3. Turn the bag inside out. The side seams will be on the outside of the bag. If desired, unravel the fabric edge to the stitching.
   Note: If the weave of the placemat is loose, it may be necessary to straight stitch the edges of the flap to prevent raveling.
4. Thread a needle with double strand of all purpose sewing thread or 6 stands of embroidery floss. Double tie a large knot at the end.
   Note: Make sure that the knot is large enough that the beads are secure when strung.
5. Begin to string your beads until they measure about 3 1/2". In the center of the flap of the handbag, sew on the shank button using the same needle/thread with the string of breads.