Tools and materials:
- Placemats
- Clips
- Glue
- Hair elastic
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Embellishments
Transform a Placemat Into a Purse With This Fun DIY
7 Materials
$10
10 Minutes
Easy
If you have been looking for your next fun fashion upcycle, the search is finally over! Follow my easy, step-by-step tutorial and learn how to transform a simple placemat into the most stunning purse. In my tutorial, I create two completely different, amazing purses from different placemats. I love how funky and functional these purses are! If you want to learn all the tips and tricks to this awesome placemat transformation, my tutorial is just what you need! Get started on DIYing these incredible purses.
How to make a clutch purse out of a placemat
Glue the placemat
To get started on this amazing upcycle, fold the side of the round placemat over and clip the fold.
Glue the sides
Once both sides were clipped, I used my hot glue gun to glue the sides of the placemat down. I left the clips in so that they would help hold the folds down as the glue dried.
Purses made from placemats
Next, I folded up the bottom of the placement and removed one of the clips. I placed glue and stuck down one side of the new fold. I placed the clip back in place until the glue had dried. I repeated this step on the other side as well. This fold made the perfect bottom for my new purse!
Placemat purse DIY
Add a hair elastic
To make the closure for the purse I used a hair elastic. To start, I tied a small knot on one side of the elastic.
Glue on the elastic
I placed the elastic in the center of the top of the purse and used a dollop of glue to make sure it would stay on.
Add a button
Add a button
Next, I turned the bag over and stuck on a button at the bottom of the bag making sure it was perfectly in line with the elastic.
Add embellishments
Add details
It was definitely time to add a few embellishments! I added a few trims and also stuck a flower onto the front of my purse. These small details definitely glam up this DIY purse.
No-sew placemat purse
I am so obsessed with this DIY purse!
Place right sides together
Sew the placemats
For this next placemat transformation, I used two fabric placemats. First, I placed the mats, right sides together.
Sew the sides
I then headed to my sewing machine to sew three sides together, leaving the top open.
Press the seams
I turned it right side out, pushed out the corners, and pressed the seams nice and flat with my iron.
DIY placemat purse
Add handles
To make the handles, I cut two pieces of ribbon to the same length. I hopped back over to my sewing machine and sewed the handles on. I sewed an X onto the base of each handle to keep them securely on the purse.
Use a stencil
Add detail
To embellish this pretty purse, I put a piece of cardboard inside the purse to protect the other side. I placed a stencil in one corner and used this gorgeous blue color to paint over the stencil.
Placemat purse instructions
I love how fun and bright this purse is! What other placemat upcycle ideas do you have? Let me know in the comments below!
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How ingenious! They are beautiful and very useful. Kudos!
Our church was planning an 1867 tea. 1867 is the year Canada became a country. I wanted to make some hats for the ladies to wear with their long gowns, so I bought some round placemats just like the ones you used for your purse. I folded one side of the place mat in a pleat to make the back of the bonnet which I sewed in place (it might have worked with a glue gun), I added ribbons to fasten the bonnet and I added lace and flowers. Everyone loved the results.