Purse with Hungarian Style Embroidery Part 2

 This is the second of a three part series on constructing this purse accented with Hungarian style embroidery.  The first part discussed the embroidery.  With that done, we are ready to move on to assembling the outer shell of the handbag.

Before sewing the front band back together, it is best to add the attachment points for the handles.  This is where I got in trouble for changing the materials used.  The pattern calls for attachment points shaped like a bottle.

The idea is that you sew two of these together and then turn it right side out for a clean, finished look.  The only problem is that when I tried this, I got this Epic Fail:

It was clear that a completely different solution was required, but keeping the same general size and shape was required to keep the purse looking balanced.  I made little straps by cutting a 12" by 2" strip from the blue fabric.  This got folded lenghwise down middle, then the edges got folded in.  Add edge stitching on both sides and you have a nice narrow strap, very much like a belt loop.  This was then cut into 4 pieces 3" long.  Then I cut 1.5" squares from the left over heavy interfacing I used for the main body of the purse and 2" squares of the blue fabric.  The blue fabric was wrapped around the interfacing and the strap and D-ring added.  Here's one ready to stitch:

I sewed around the whole square once to that it would hold together as a unit, then I attached it to the purse front and back, stitching over the first stitching and giving it an X pattern for extra strength.  The D-ring loop is secured by the X stitching, too.

The magnetic snaps that hold together the top of the bag at the ends should be added next, and then the front and back can be sewn together.  At this point, it starts to look like a purse.

The handles aren't attached until later, but they can be prepared now.  As with the D-ring attachment points, the pattern's plan of making a narrow tube and then inverting it wasn't going to work, particularly with interfacing in the handles.  I constructed the handles in much the same way as the straps for the D-rings.  The two sides of the handles are different colors.  The first step is to sew the two sides together long one edge.  Then, fold in 5'8" on each side and stitch.  Here's a picture of folding in the seam allowance and pressing.

Here's the handles, all pinned up and ready to be top stitched on edges.

Finally, the handles, all stitched.

You could certainly stop here, but decorative stitching can be so much fun and many machines have quite a selection of built in stitches to choose from.  The handles, with two layers of fabric and interfacing are a good base for all kinds of decorative stitching.  I chose a floral pattern, to keep the theme from the embroidery.  I also used thread from the embroidery to tie it together with color.  I used orange on top and red in the bobbin.  Stitching on the blue side, the finished product looks like this:

Be sure to catch part 3 of this series, where I construct the lining and finish the purse.