Large Purse Kit

Making a purse with our purse frame and some really pretty fabric is a nice project – fun and not too hard if you are at all handy. But you do have to accumulate all the bits and bobs – the fancy fabric, a ribbon or other tie, a bead or two, some tassels. What if you have the desire, but not the materials? I’m glad you asked!

Each purse kit includes a purse frame, fancy fabric for the outside (Sartor’s poly rayon brocades), a solid color fabric for the lining (linen from fabrics-store.com), instructions and full-size pattern (developed by Tracy Justus/Mistress Clare de Crecy), a ribbon for the drawstring, a pewter bead to help keep the drawstring tight, and tassels. You supply thread, scissors, needle and/or sewing machine, marker, and Fray Check or some other sealant/stabilizer (because this beautiful brocade frays and the seams are too close to take a chance).

We can also supply kits in a small number of colors with plain linen (from fabrics-store.com) in a heavier weight as an outer fabric. Everything else is the same: purse frame, another piece of linen for the lining, instructions, pattern, ribbon, bead, tassels.

The gallery shows the fabrics we can currently supply with the large frame. Availability varies, and we often cannot get a fabric a second time. Lining fabrics which were in stock at the time of photography are included in some older pictures, but newer photos lack these as the supply varies so much. (Possible colors include black, navy, light gray, red, crimson, dark teal, dark green, purple, dark beige/light tan.)  Lighter colors are generally easier to work with while you are making the purse; darker colors show dirt less with wear. Some people have told us they prefer a lighter lining so they can see the contents of their purse better. If I am confident that a color other than black accords with the outer fabric I will choose it; if I am not sure I am likely to choose black.  If you have a preference, please let me know and I will oblige if possible (and discuss if not). Otherwise, feel free to leave it to our good taste or the luck of the draw.

Similarly, we have ribbons in colors other than black – these vary in availability but often include blues, reds, and browns that match or contrast pleasingly with some of the fabrics. Please let us know if you want black regardless, or if you have a strong preference for a matching or contrasting ribbon if available.

Want to preview the project? Need another copy of the pattern? See Patterns for the Purses. You can also check out either Morgan Donner’s excellent video, Making a 15th Century Frame Purse or our construction tutorial.