How to Make Your Own Handbag or Purse from a Scarf

Imagine having a purse to match every outfit that you own. With this simple craft project, it's entirely possible! Granted, they won't be those multi-compartmental, complicated Coach imitation bags, but these simple purses that you can make in just minutes from a scarf are chic, cute and wonderfully simple-perfect for spring and summer. Use a smaller scarf to make a cute little bag for the bare necessities-wallet, credit cards, and car keys, or make a bigger version to hold beach accessories, wardrobe changes or shoes. As an avid tango dancer, I use these bags to transport my dance shoes to and from events with a bit of creative flair.

The Basic

I find that working with a larger scarf is easier for your first attempt (which should be very easy no matter what). Try one with 24" sides to start-it will give you a medium-sized bag.

Lay the scarf flat, with the side you want to be the outside of the bag facing downwards on a table or other flat work surface.

Take one corner of the scarf between your index finger and thumb, and use your other hand to slide down the scarf so that you have a tag of scarf about seven or eight inches long. Be sure that the scarf is gathered equally on each side of this tag.

Tie an overhand knot at the base of this section. (The end closer to the center of the scarf.)

Repeat this on the other three corners of the scarf to that you have four equally spaced knots with four, equal length tags-one off the end of each knot. You can loosen and adjust the knots as need be at this point in order to get them equally spaced.

Now, join two adjacent tags together to form a handle with an overhand knot. Depending on what you like, you can leave larger or smaller tags on the end of this knot to create a small bow.

Repeat this step for the remaining two tags, and you're all done!

Scarf bag with handles