African Flower Crochet Purse Part 1

Crochet Pattern

Dimension: Bag: 11 1/2 (W) x 6 1/2 (H) x 5 (D) Motif: Each flower has a diameter (the widest width across) of 8.3cm [3 1/4"] (including the white border) if using the yarn stated below. To convert the measurement, please use the Conversion tool here. Material & Tool: 1. Yarn, acrylic baby yarn, Tilda color code: 05, 26, 505 and 510. Approximate yardage: 50 gram each for 05, 26, 510, 100 gram for 505. 2. Crochet hook, 3mm Abbreviations: sl knot = slip knot st = stitch ss = slip stitch (to fasten) ch = chain sc = single crochet dc = double crochet fo = fasten off Rnd = round Pattern: (Hexagon) Make: 28 Base Round light brown: sl knot, ch 6, ss into first ch to make a ring. Or, you can use magic ring. Rnd 1 ch 3, 1 dc, ch1, *2 dc, ch1, * repeat until you have six spaces and six 2dc. ss to the 3rd chain of the beginning round. fo Rnd 2 beige : Start in a space. ch 5, 2 dc in same space, *ch1, 2 dc, ch2, 2 dc in next space repeat * 5 times, 1 dc and ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning round. Rnd 3 ch3, dc6 in the 2-ch space, ch1, * dc7 in next 2-ch space, ch1, repeat * 5 times. ss the 3rd ch of the beginning round. fo. Rnd 4 dark brown: ch1, sc around and make a long stitch down in round 2 between each flower petal. End with ss. fo. Rnd 5 white: [crochet back loops only] ch1, 2 sc, *3sc in next st, sc 3, (skip long stitch of the previous round), 3 sc, repeat 5 times, 3sc in next st, sc 3, (skip long stitch of the previous round), ss to the ch from the beginning round. FO, keep a long tail for joining. Pattern: (Square) Make: 4 Base Round light brown: sl knot, ch 4, ss into first ch to make a ring. Or, you can use magic ring. Rnd 1 ch 3, 1 dc, ch1, *2 dc, ch1, * repeat until you have four spaces and four 2dc. ss to the 3rd chain of the beginning round. fo

Rnd 2 beige : Start in a space. ch 5, 2 dc in same space, *ch1, 2 dc, ch2, 2 dc in next space repeat * 3 times, 1 dc and ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning round. Rnd 3 ch3, dc6 in the 2-ch space, ch1, * dc7 in next 2-ch space, ch1, repeat * 3 times. ss the 3rd ch of the beginning round. fo. Rnd 4 dark brown: ch1, sc around and make a long stitch down in round 2 between each flower petal. End with ss. fo. Rnd 5 white: [crochet back loops only] ch1, 2 sc, *3sc in next st, sc 3, (skip long stitch of the previous round), 3 sc, repeat 3 times, 3sc in next st, sc 3, (skip long stitch of the previous round), ss to the ch from the beginning round. FO, keep a long tail for joining. You can view how to crochet the original African Flower motif here. To join, place 2 motifs with right side facing each other, align the stitches, work on wrong side, ss on both front loops only.

The African Flower motifs before white border.

The African Flower motifs with white border.

The purse needs 4 square flowers to make the 4 corners at the base.

Square African Flower motif before white border.

Square African Flower motif after white border.

After all the motifs are done, arrange them in this way. 3 4 3 (with 2 square at both sides) 8 3 (with 2 square at both sides) 4 3

Join the motif on their vertical sides, crochet slips stitches on the front loops only to join the flowers from the wrong side. Use the same color yarn, join the rows to make them into purse that looks like the one below.

The next tutorial will be on sewing the lining and handles to complete the African Flower Purse. If you are happy with the purse without lining, you can always put on the handle and use it now but I swear that the purse will look more elegant and stable with a lining on.

African Flower Crochet Purse Part 2

Sew African Flower Crochet Purse

To make: 1 Sewing Pattern: Download pdf sewing pattern here.

Materials: 1. Fabric Polka dot, 18 x 20 2. Fabric beige, 18 x 20 3. Fabric white, 18 x 20 4. Fabric pocket (beige), 7 1/2 x 8 1/2 5. Batting 18 x 20 6. Zipper 6, metal teeth 7. Canvas handle 1 width, 16 x 2 nos. 8. Magnet closure 9. Crochet purse with African Flower (link to the pattern and tutorial) Tools: 1. Sewing machine 2. Sewing kits 3. Carbon and tracing wheel 4. Erasable fabric marker 5. Scissors 6. Printer, letter size (8.5 x 11) paper 3 pcs. & glue 7. Fabric glue Finished Dimension: 11 1/2 (W) x 6 3/4 (H) x 5 (D) without handle

Prepare all the materials as per the above list. Download and printout the sewing pattern for the purse. Glue pattern on page 1 and 2 side by side. Cut out the pattern from paper. If your crochet flower motifs dimension is different from the one stated in part 1, adjust sewing pattern accordingly during the printing by reduction or enlargement. Please note that the crochet purse will look smaller than the bag lining / insert after the motifs are joined up. The matter of fact that it fits snugly on the lining.

Trace the sewing pattern on the beige fabric with carbon paper and tracing wheel. Mark handle positions. Lay the white fabric on your table, then lay a batting on top of it. Cover them with the traced beige fabric. Pin. Quilt the hexagons and purse outlines, you may quilt the top lines too if you wish.

Fold the quilted piece into halve with right side facing each other. Align side seamlines and sew. Trim to 1/2 seam allowance.

Fold the base, align and sew. Trim to 1/2 seam allowance.

Turn, with right side facing out. You may check the dimension with the crochet purse to see if you need any adjustment. Usually you wont need if your flower size is correct. Again, the crochet piece might look a little smaller but since it can be stretched a little, dont worry too much.

Trace the sewing pattern on the wrong side of the polka dots fabric. Trace only the seam lines. Mark zipper, magnet closure and side opening (for turning) positions.

Sew zipper pocket on the polka dot fabric. Refer to this tutorial for the zipper pocket making.

Sew side seams, and dont forget to reserve an opening for the purse to turn right side out in the later stage. Remember to make a few back stitches so that the seam line is strong for the turning. Sew base seams as well.

I am using ordinary 1/2 magnets (small but strong magnets) as the magnet closure snap. If you are using those specially for bag and purse magnet closures, install it as per its instruction. Put a small amount of fabric glue on both sides of the magnet and attach it on the marking. Cover it with a small piece of fabric. Repeat the same to the other side.

Slot the beige quilted piece into the polka dot, with right side facing each other.

Sew and trim the top edges. Clip seam allowance on the zig zag points.

Turn the purse right side out from the 4 opening. Do it slowly as the purse is quite thick to go through the small opening. Align all corners and seamlines. Press it with warm iron if required.

Mark the magnet outlines with erasable fabric marker. Stitch around it with zipper foot. Sew it slowly so the circle is even and neat. Top stitch the top zig zag edge.

Sew canvas handles on the marking with matching thread. If your canvas handle becomes ravel terribly on the raw/cut end, lightly burn it with flame to melt the fibers and thus stop it from raveling.

Match the hexagons of crochet piece and sewing piece. Sew the hexagon corners from the wrong side of the crochet piece to the right side of the sewing piece. Work around from bottom to top. Sew more stitches on the top edge so that it covers up nicely. ~~ Done ~~