Make a starry purse

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IF you have cut off the top of prune tub lids to obtain the frames for making my latest lantern project, now is the time to make use of them.

Because the lids are pretty soft, it is easy to attach embellishments like buttons and beads to them with a few stitches. Sew two lids to a 12-inch zip* to form a flat purse for holding your loose change or odds and ends like screws, nails and clips.

If you use the lids as they are without cutting the rims away, you will end up with a slightly bigger purse.

One of a kind: Purses made from prune tub lids, zips, buttons and sequin remnants.

You will need a 14-inch zip for this. Zip up two pieces into a small “emergency” kit to contain a couple of essential first-aid items like plasters, foldable scissors, small roll of bandage, cream and ointment. It can also be your make-up kit. Chuck your face-blotters, tissue pack and lip sticks in it.

(* Zips are still sold by referring to the imperial measurements.)

You need:

2 prune tub lids

Zip – 14 inches (35cm)

Buttons

Sequins

Scrap plastic – from yellow ice-cream tub

Craft needle (with big eye)

Strong cotton thread

Sewing needle and thread

UHU glue

Scissors and cutter

Piercing tool

1. Free-hand cut out a 5cm-wide starburst from the yellow ice-cream tub. Place it in the middle of a prune tub lid. Place a big button on it and use the piercing tool to poke into the button holes, right through the star and lid. Sew the button and star to the lid.

2. Arrange some small buttons around the starburst. Then sew them in place.

3. Glue shiny sequins all over the space in between the starburst and buttons.

4. Pierce holes around the side of the lid, 0.5cm apart and 0.3cm from the edge.

5. Use the craft needle and strong cotton thread to attach one side of the zip to the lid with over-sewing stitches.

6. Turn the lid upside-down. Unzip and attach the other side of the zip to another lid in the same way.

7. Sew a few straight stitches at the ends of the zip to close up the gaps.

Note: To make purse B, cut out the top of the prune tub lid. Pierce holes 0.5cm apart around the lid, 0.3cm from the edge. Follow the steps above to sew a smaller and flatter purse with a 12-inch zip.