I was recently released as the Primary President in our ward after serving for two years. I had great ladies who served with me. While we are a church of lay clergy, (we don't get paid) I wanted to give something to these women to show them how much their dedication and support meant to me.

So, I sewed them purses to thank them for "carrying their load." I know, I'm such a cheese. Oh, it gets better.


Each have unique personalities and strengths. I captured this by embroidering an appropriate phrase inside each bag.

I can figure it out.

The ladies seemed to like them, and I was pleased with how well they turned out.

TECHNICAL INFO: I found the pattern online at Artsy-Crafty Babe . Click on Free Patterns for a PDF pattern. It is a great pattern and very easy to follow. (The blog and author is also what I aspire to do and be.) It makes a good size purse--very mom friendly. I used cotton quilting fabric, home decor weight cotton fabric, and a looser weave home decor fabric for the bags and handles. I used plain muslin for the lining.

I used an iron-on midweight stabilizer for all parts. I fused the stabilizer before embroidering the sayings. I also embroidered the sayings and attached the ribbon before assembling the bags. The inside pockets are the same fabric as the outside fabric.

I added interest to the handles by sewing ribs with 1/4 inch spacing. I found decorative buttons for the simple closure, although I think a snap or magnetic closure could be adapted easily.

You should probably make some. Call me before I go into labor, and I'll help you!