How to… assemble your purse

Step 1

PRESS the stitched fabric, then check that the sides and bottom of the aida are straight – if not trim to shape. Fold over the top edge of the aida onto the wrong side by 1cm (⅜in). Finger press the fold in place. To make the fold straight, follow a row of aida holes right across the fabric.

Step 4

FOLD down the backing fabric top in the same way as for the aida. Open the zip to half way and place the fabric on top of the assembled purse front. Stitch across the seam in the same way as for the aida, sliding the zipper away from the place you're stitching to make it easier to work.

Step 2

WITH the right side of the aida facing up, place the folded edge of the aida on top of the closed zip, up against the teeth, so the centre of the aida is the centre of the zip. This is the most important part of the construction, so check the distance from each side to the centre using a ruler.

Step 5

KEEP the zip half open and fold the purse so that the wrong side is facing out and the side seams of the aida on the front and back are together. Machine stitch around the purse's three sides with a 1cm (⅜in) seam allowance. Start and finish just before and after the zip at both ends.

Step 3

MAKE a row of white machine stitches across the fabric, close to the zip. A zipper foot will help get the seam right up against the zip. Work slowly, finishing the seam with a backward and forward stitch on the edge of the fabric, where it will be hidden in the seam allowance.

Step 6

USE pinking shears to trim away some of the excess seam allowance around the three sides of the purse, or trim with scissors and then finish with a zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine. Clip the corners and turn to the right side. Your purse is now ready to be used!