This purse came about when I was trying out different techniques and stitches on my sewing machine. There are so many different things you can do to embellish already beautiful fabric. Instead of just "playing around" I wanted to be able to incorporate this "practice" fabric into a finished project. This evening purse is easy to make - you could make a few for all your different outfits and moods! The purse is big enough to carry your purse, cell phone, chequebook and any other necessities that you cannot leave home without!
Fabric Requirements
Main Purse - 0.35 meter
Purse Lining - 0.35 meter
Cotton Batting - approximately 8" by 31"
Drawstring or webbing for shoulders strap - 2.10 meters
Thread for embellishing
Fun buttons, beads and anything you wish to add for fun
Basting Stray
Cutting
Cut the following from the fabrics listed above
Main Purse - cut 7" x 30" piece plus two pieces 3" x 10"
Lining - cut 6" x 28" piece plus two pieces 3" x 10"
Suggested Fabrics
100% Cotton prints and solids
The hand-dyed batiks and Moda Marbles work great for this.
Things to remember
· Read through all instructions before starting.
· Prewash all fabrics
· Always sew with rights sides of the fabric together using a 1/4" seam allowance throughout the whole pattern unless otherwise stated in the instructions.
· Press the seam allowance to the side with the least amount of bulk and towards the darker fabric where possible.
Getting Started
You will first need to embellish the main purse fabric. Do this by basting the cotton fabric onto the cotton batting. This is your chance to embellish the fabric and have fun with threads and machine quilting. You can channel quilt, gimp, stitch or do just about anything your like. If you are really want to experiment, you can piece the fabric first with many different fabrics, then embellish. 
Once you are finished, cut a 6" x 28" piece out of your now embellished fabric. To make the pointed flap on the bag you will need to mark and cut the following from both the purse fabric and the lining. On the 6-inch side - find the center by measuring in 3 inches and mark. From the top and measuring down the 28-inch side - measure down and mark down 3 inches. Line up your center 3-inch mark and one of your side marks and remove the extra fabric. Do the side on the other side to make a point. This is repeated on the lining fabric.
Adding the Gusset
This small purse has a gusset on both sides to add a little bit more depth for all your treasures inside. The gusset is easy to add by doing the following:
At the bottom of the purse piece (the other 6 inch side) lay one of the 10" x 3 ½" strips. Pin in place so the 3 ½" measurement on the gusset strip lines up along the bottom of the 6" section and the 10" length goes up the 28" side of the purse. 
Starting at the corner, stitch up from the bottom of the bag, up along the long edge stopping ¼" from the end of the 10" length edge, finish your edge and remove from sewing machine. Next, taking the purse fabric and the gusset section in your hands, fold the bag so the short edge of the gusset (3 ½') now lays flat with the bag section. This is at a 90-degree angle from the gusset section you just stitched. Again pin and stitch in place - once again stopping ¼" away from the longer unstitched gusset side. Turn and pin one last time the gusset strip on to the purse section finish one side of the purse. Repeat this process with the second side. You will now have a purse piece with a front section, bottom, back and front flap. 
Repeat the following gusset instructions to add the gusset into the purse lining. When stitching the lining in however, leave a 3" opening in one side for turning the purse to the right side once completed.
Making the Tassel
We added a decorative tassel to the point section of our bag. Tassels are very easy to make and we made ours with embroidery floss to match the colours in our variegated quilting thread.
To make the tassel - do the following:
Cut a piece of cardboard 3" x 3". This will be used to make the body of your tassel. Taking the thread or yarn of your choice, wrap the thread around the cardboard until the thread reaches the desired thicken. At the top of the cardboard, tie a piece of yarn or thread around the top edge of the wrapped yarn to secure all the yarn together. Remove the yarn from the cardboard. To make the head and skirt of the tassel, take another piece of yarn, wrapping it tightly around the tassel to establish a hand and neck. Cut the yarn edges and trim. 
Baste the finished tassel in the point of the purse. Lay the tassel towards the purse.
Shoulder Strap
We made our shoulder strap from drawstring webbing. We purchased approximately 2.10 meters. We overlapped the raw edges of the drawstring approximately 2" and did a large zigzag to secure the ends. We attached our drawstring to the inside of the bag and have the drawstring coming out at the gusset in the side. If you do not wish to do this you can attach the shoulder strap to the bag after it is completed.
Putting it All Together
Place the purse inside out with the lining inside the bag with right sides together. Pin the lining and purse together matching seams and pieces. Stitch up the side toward the point of the flap and down to the other side. Next, stitch across the side gusset section around the front to the gusset on the other side of the bag. Turn the purse to the right side through the opening in the lining. Press. Topstitch around the entire top of the bag and the flap.
Slipstitch the opening in the lining closed. If you wish, add a small piece of Velcro or sew-in snap for a closure in the bag. Enjoy your newly made bag!