How do I make an evening bag?

To make an evening purse, cut the fabric and interfacing, apply the interfacing, create seams, sew the fabric pieces together, fold and sew the purse into shape, apply a Velcro fastener and finish with a brooch. Making an evening purse takes roughly 45 minutes and requires velvet fabric, lining fabric, sew-in interfacing, a hook-and-loop fastener dot, a sewing machine, pins, sewing scissors, a fabric pencil, thread and a brooch.

1. Mark the shape

   Measure a rectangle 11 inches by 15.25 inches on the back of the velvet. Use the fabric pencil to mark a cutting line.

2. Cut both fabrics

   Stack the velvet fabric and lining together with the marked rectangle showing. Keeping both fabrics flat on the work surface, cut out the rectangle.

3. Cut the interfacing

   Mark a rectangle measuring 10 inches by 14.25 inches. Cut this out, trimming the corners at a diagonal to reduce bulk.

4. Apply the interfacing

   Center the interfacing on the back of the velvet. Machine-baste the interfacing, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Trim the overhanging edge to 1/4 inch.

5. Create mitred corners

   Fold the fabric face-to-face at a diagonal over the corner and stitch it. Cut off the point, and flip the corner in on itself.

6. Secure the interfacing

   Fold the edges of the velvet over the interfacing, making a 1/2-inch seam all the way around. Use a catch stitch to secure the fabric over the interfacing.

7. Prepare the lining

   Measure in 1/2 inch all the way around the lining. Fold in the seam, securing with pins. Press the seam, then tack stitch to secure it.

8. Sew the fabrics together

   Line up the front of the lining to the front of the velvet. Stitch all the way around with a 1/4-inch seam, leaving a 1-inch gap. Pull the fabric right side out through the gap, and finish stitching it.

9. Complete the purse

   Fold one side of the rectangle a third of the way up. Use a slip stitch to secure it on both sides. Attach one side of the Velcro dot to the center of the free flap, near the top. Fold this over, and use a pin to mark where it rests on the outside of the purse. Attach the other side of the Velcro dot there. Decorate the outside of the purse with a brooch.