Do you know the differences between the types of fabric when shopping for material to make a new fabric handbag? It's very important to choose with care in order for your handbag to give you years of wear!
Pay careful attention to cleaning instructions. If you will be carrying your bag often, choose fabrics that are easy care.
Fabric Choices and Their Care
Cotton - You will have a great selection if you choose cotton because of the array of different colors. This material is very easy to cut and piece so it lends itself beautifully to quilting. It is best to pre-wash your fabric ( usually machine wash) and to use a stabilizer to give your handbag shape. This material makes a nice (and colorful!) fabric handbag.
Silk - I do not recommend silk as a general rule for handbag construction. It is too unstable and there is a possibility of easy staining. This fabric usually must be dry-cleaned.
Linen - Linen has a loose weave and wrinkles easily. It is very important to use a good stabilizer for this fabric. Dry-cleaning is recommended.
Tapestry - This is my favorite material to use in the construction of fabric handbags. The bag will usually hold up very well and the nature of the fabrics allows for beautiful colors. The weave is loose so one must be careful at the seams and make sure all layers of fabric are caught when sewing - otherwise you may have a problem with fraying.
Velvet - This fabric has a directional nap to it. When cutting the pattern pieces for your handbag, all pieces must be cut facing the same direction. Never press velvet; if it needs ironing, press on the wrong side. Dry-clean only.
Faux Fur - There is a nap to faux fur and all pattern pieces must be cut in the same direction. I have found this fabric to be difficult to work with but it adds nice texture to your fabric handbag. Spot clean only.
Leather - Leather is made from animal skin and you usually need special equipment to make a handbag from this material. I recommend professional cleaning to be safe.
Ultrasuede - This is a non-woven fabric that looks and feels like suede but is washable. The advantage of this material for handbag construction is that it does not ravel. It is completely washable and makes a very high quality looking fabric handbag.
If you choose carefully, you will have many years to enjoy your new handbag!
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