The Tribune

By Teri M. Bethel The most beautiful bag can be made unattractive with untidy binding. To avoid wasting a winning design a few simple instructions can have you sewing amazing handbags in no time and raise the value of your purse. Sewing binding on a purse is easy when your instructions are clear. The most difficult project can become a cinch with good directives. One issue that many budding purse designers face is sewing binding neatly to a firm bodied handbag. While this is not a difficult task, many handbag designers trip up in this area because they do not have clear instructions on how to attach the binding. This method of attaching the binding is used in making traditional straw bags in the Bahamas as well as the Teri Monique hand painted handbags. To attach the binding one has to first determine what kind of binding is going to be used. While some purse makers use straw or leather, a favorite binding for handbags is webbing: a thick ribbon-like material which comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Webbing is also commonly used for creating straps for handbags. So in addition to having the handbag bound with the webbing, coordinating straps can also be used to further accentuate a bag. Here's how to ensure your binding is sewn effectively: 1. Select your binding material 2. Fold the end over and stitch down for a finished look and to reduce fraying 3. Fold binding in half lengthwise to form a channel 4. Slip channel over your fabric covered chipboard and sew 5. To complete the process, cut off excess binding - leave up to an inch to turn under 6. Turn the end of the binding under and stitch in place with the end meeting your starting point Here's what you want to avoid when sewing your binding: 1. Using a webbing that is too narrow to manage 2. Using binding materials that are thick and difficult to bend 3. Trying to stitch quickly rather than neatly 4. Uneven sewing - keep presser foot at the edge of the webbing when stitching 5. Sewing over the binding in multiple places (back tracking) 6. Using the wrong color thread Now you can begin creating your fabulous firm bodied purses with a neatly applied binding. Teri M. Bethel is a texture painting and handbag instructor. She is the designer of Teri Monique Handbags, a line of custom made art purses for ladies. For more information on binding a purse visit: www.paintwithtexture.com