Tutorial For Flight Suit Purse

Ok, no I have not fallen off the face of the earth just yet. I will follow up with the reason tomorrow... I wanted to post today because a very nice lady asked me for a tutorial for the post Custom Purse: another flight suit bag! Since this is not the first request and hopefully not the last I wanted to share with everyone who might want one.

I also want to address that I did not use a pattern for that purse and really can't tell you the exact size because every flight suit is different.

Step 1: Cutting the front and back of purse.

Cut the front of the flight suit to the size you want leaving 1/4" seam allowence. I usually cut under the waist band portion to leave a nice detail that otherwise would be lost. Using the front piece you just cut, cut out a piece from the back of flight suit.

Step 2: Cutting side and bottom pieces.

Using the sleeves of the flight suit cut a strip from each about 4-5" wide and as long as the side of the front and back portions. Again, I leave the strap for detail. From another part of the flight suit (sometimes you can use another section of a sleeve) cut a strip the width of your side pieces and as long as the bottom of your front and back pieces.

Step 3: Cutting handles.

Finding another section of the flight suit to cut from, cut two strips 2 1/4" x 24 1/4".

Step 4: Cutting inside material.

Using each piece you just cut as a template, cut out matching pieces of your inside fabric. While you're at it cut two pieces about half as tall as your front and back and just as wide. this will be your divider if you wish to have one.

Step 5: Begin Sewing inside pieces.

Pin one inside bag piece to each side piece with wrong sides together and sew with a 1/4inch seam. Leaving about 6 inches on bottom open for turning the bag right side out (I’ll explain how later) sew the remaining back piece and bottom pieces together.

Step 6: Sewing flight suit pieces.

Sew the front, back, side, and bottom flight suit pieces together leaving 1/4" seam allowance (same procedure as step 5) do not leave an opening.

Step 7: Making a loop for button closure.

Using a scrap piece of flight suit about 2"x 3". Make the loop by folding edges of loop inward and iron seams down. Fold the piece in half and sew about 1/8" from edge.

Step 8: Making handles.

Iron edges of each handle piece down, about 1/4". Pair opposite fabric choices, matching up seams sew down the long edge of each handle.

Step 9: Making the divider.

Sew both pieces of divider together using the same technique as handles. Sew in middle of bottom and side pieces of lining fabric. 

Step 10: Pinning together.

With the right sides of flight suit pieces facing out, pin handles and button loop to flight suit top with the middle pointing down and on the outside.

Step 11: Sewing purse together.

Keeping the flight suit portion turned right side out, place INSIDE the lining. This will sandwich the handles and loop between the two purse sections. Sew along top making sure your handles and loop stayed in their spots.

Step 12: Pulling purse right side out.

Take the flight suit portion and push it through the hole in the lining piece. After checking your seams, sew the hole up. Then tuck the lining inside the outer layer.

Step 13: Finishing it off.

Sew along the top edge of the purse to finish it off. This helps keep the lining in place during use.

I wrote this from memory so please excuse any confusing descriptions. Feel free to ask questions below. Here is a list of some of the posts about flight suit purses to reference pictures if need be:

Flight Suit Diaper Bag
Cute Purses I Made!
Creating a zip top purse
New flight suit bag
Custom Purse: another flight suit bag!