Supplies

Cross-stitch motif on Aida fabric 40 x 35 cm
A piece of backing fabric 30 x 23 cm.
A piece of orange ottoman fabric 80 x 80 cm.
Reels of matching threads in white, orange and yellow
1 metre of satin ribbon 5 mm wide in golden yellow
1 square pearly button in iridescent yellow and green 1.5 cm wide
A reel of basting thread
Pins
Sewing needles
A pair of scissors
A sewing machine
A tape measure
An erasable felt-tip pen for fabric

Size of the finished purse: 28 cm x 22 cm 

How to prepare the front and back of the face

Cut a rectangle, measuring 30 cm x 45 cm, out of the orange fabric and overcast around the edge with a sewing machine. Baste a line to separate the front and back parts of A and A' (see diagram).

How to apply the satin ribbon and button

Take a piece of satin ribbon 45 cm long, cut the end diagonally.  Thread the ribbon through the first hole from the bottom to the top, and then again through the other hole from the top to the bottom.  Slide the button to the middle of the ribbon.

Make a mark with an erasable felt-tip pen on each side of part A 8 cm from the basted line.  Mark the middle 2 cm above the basted line to indicate the position of the button.

Pin the ribbon over the line you have just basted, and then machine sew along each edge, shifting the button slightly to the right to sew towards the left, and then to the left to sew towards the right. Pull the sewing threads out at the back and fasten off by tying them (see diagram). 

Finish by making two stitches with the yellow thread in each hole of the button to fix it to the fabric and then fasten off the thread at the back.

How to prepare the cross-stitch part

Centre the cross-stitch motif in rectangle B, measuring 30 x 19 cm, and overcast around the edge (see diagram).

How to prepare the backing fabric

Cut rectangle C measuring 28 cm x 17 cm out of the backing fabric (see diagram).

How to mount the cross-stitch motif

Place part C over the back of part B, leaving a border of 1 cm all round, then apply the backing fabric with the help of an iron (see diagram).

How to assemble the cross-stitch part

Place parts A and A' on the face, then part B with the backing facing you, over part A', making sure the motifs are in the direction of the red arrow indicated on the diagram in order to find them on the front when you open out the mounted part. Pin edge to edge along the width of 30 cm, and then machine sew 1 cm from the edge (see diagram).  Iron the back to flatten the seam.

How to fix the loop for the button

Work on the front.
Cut 10 cm of yellow ribbon. Fold the ribbon in two and then make a knot that you will run at about 3 cm from the ends.  Place the loop flat on the width of part B, as indicated on the diagram.  Pin and then fix the ribbon by machine sewing forwards and backwards, 5 mm from the edge all along the width.  Pin the loop flat on the cross-stitch part so that it remains in place when mounted.  

How to prepare the lining

Cut part D, measuring 30 cm x 64 cm, out of the orange fabric, and overcast around the edge.  Place this piece on the parts previously assembled and pin together to the bottom of parts B and D (see diagram).  Sew a seam by machine 1 cm from the edge to hold loop between these two pieces of fabric.  Flatten the seam at the back with an iron. The result is a total length of 124 cm when all the parts are assembled together.

How to sew the lining

Work at the back.
Fold the 124 cm length in two so that the upper edges of parts A and D are one on top of the other and edge to edge.  Pin the sides and then machine sew seams 1 cm from the edge along the full height (see diagram).

Hollow out the corners at the folds to avoid excess thickness, and turn the purse the right side out. Remove the pin that held the button loop when mounting. 

Iron the purse on the face to give it the right shape.

How to finish the upper edge

Fold a 1 cm hem over the inside at the top of parts A and D.
Pin and then machine sew 5 mm from the edge (see diagram).
Iron the purse so that it is completely flat.

How to shape the purse

Pleat part A at the level of the line basted at the beginning, and then fold it over part D.
Fix the sides by machine sewing a straight seam 5 mm from the edge. Make a fastening off stitch at the beginning and end of each of them.
When you have sewn the side seams, you will have 4 layers of fabric.  If possible, adjust the presser foot of your machine; if not, stitch gently by machine. 
Fold over the cross-stitch part and then mark the pleat with an iron. 
Close the purse by placing the button in the loop.