1/4 yd. (or fat quarter) of outer fabric (Any kind of fabric will work. Quilting cotton is good to use. If you use a thicker home décor type fabric, you can skip the interfacing.)

1/2 yd. of lightweight iron on interfacing. Pellon featherweight is good to use.
1/8 yd. of lining fabric
1 1-in. button
basic sewing supplies

Cut your fabric to the dimensions shown below.

Purse bag 11 in. x 5 in. Cut: 2 of outer, 2 of interfacing, and 2 of lining
Top band 9 in. x 2.5 in. Cut: 4 of outer and 4 of interfacing
Strap 4 in. x 20 in. Cut: 1 of outer
Button Loop 4 in. x 4 in. Cut: 1 of outer

Iron your interfacing to your 2 outer bag pieces and your 4 top band pieces.

Make the strap by folding your 4 inch by 20 inch piece in half the long way and pressing, unfold it and fold the raw edges into the middle crease. Refold the strap on the middle fold and top-stitch along both sides. Place your strap aside.

The button loop is sewn on the bias so it has a bit of stretch making it easier for little fingers to fasten it over the button. Make the button loop by folding the 4 inch x 4 inch square on the diagonal and lining up the corners. Sew 3/8 inch from the fold. Trim the corners off close to the seam. Turn the button loop right side out. (An easy way to do this is to attach a safety pin to one of the points and feed it through the tube. Check out Ashley’s tutorial here.) Press the loop and set it aside.

Curve the bottom two corners of all your bag pieces, the two outer and two lining pieces. Use a small bowl or cup to help you get and even curve.

Fold one of your bag pieces in half and trim the top at an angle, starting 1 inch down from the top on the side and going up to the very top at the fold. When you unfold the piece, it should angle up to form a point in the middle; this will help everything lay nice and flat when you sew your pleat. Repeat this step with the other outer bag piece and the two lining pieces.

Next we will make the pleat. Fold the outer bag piece in half again, this time make a small mark at the top of that bag 1 inch from the fold. Sew a few stitches right at the top of the bag, don’t sew beyond the ½ inch seam allowance. Unfold the bag and press your pleat flat with your fingers. Baste the pleat in place ¼ inch from the edge. Repeat this step to sew a pleat in your second outer bag piece.

Place the outer bag piece and one of the band pieces right sides together, lining up the raw edge of the bag top with the band. Pin in place then sew them together. Press the seam towards the band and top stitch along the bottom of the band. Repeat with your other outer bag piece.

Place the two outer pieces right sides together and pin around the edge, lining up the seams at the band.

Turn your bag right side out. Line the raw edge of your strap up with the raw edge of your bag, centering it over the side seam. Pin then baste the strap in place at both sides. Fold your button loop in half and pin it to the middle of one side of the bag, baste the loop in place. Set the outer purse aside while you sew the lining.

Gather the top of your lining so it is the same length as your band. (Need help with gathering?) Pin then sew the band to the top of the lining. Press the seam towards the band and top-stitch. Repeat with the other lining piece.

Place the lining pieces right sides together and pin around the edge. Sew them together, leaving a 3 inch opening at the bottom.

With the lining inside out and the purse right side out, stuff your bag inside the lining.

Pin the top raw edges of the bag and lining, lining up the side seams. Sew all the way around the top of the purse.

Turn the purse right side out through the hole in the bottom of the lining. Fold the raw edge of the opening in and stitch the opening closed.

Tuck your lining inside your bag. Top stitch all the way around the top of the purse (about a 1/8 of an inch from the upper edge) and sew your button in place.

You have a finished purse!