Pioneer Purse Tutorial

- Photo by Christian Lunt - 

I am one of a large group of people in my community who are reenacting the Mormon pioneer trek across the Wyoming plains this summer. I am terrified excited about this! Our grueling experience adventure will last for three long days as we push real hand carts along the original trail. I've been sewing some little "Prairie Pouches" - if you will - for some of my women folk friends who are also coming along.  {I think part of their job is to make sure I don't skip off to the nearest hotel!} Here's a little tutorial in case you'd like to make some pioneer purses of your own. I've heard they are really cute made from recycled blue jeans too.

At a blogging conference, I won a stack of awesome fat quarter fabric made by Riley Blake. This project the perfect chance to use my fabric because I wanted the lining & straps to coordinate with the outside of the purses. If you are buying bigger pieces of fabric, it may save you some time {sewing the strap pieces together, for instance}. 

I really hate to do sewing tutorials. Hopefully, if you have a basic knowledge of sewing, this one will get you through. Please let me know if you have any questions. The finished size for the bag is about 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" {cut 3 - 9" x 21" pieces of fabric}.  The finished size for the strap is about 1 1/2" x 50" {I used 3 - 4 1/2" x 17" pieces of fabric}. 

- Photo by Christian Lunt -

Now I have a place to stash my Diet Coke. He he!