Make Your Own "Indispensable" Purse

Colonial women did not have the convenience of having pockets in their skirts and blouses so many used "indispensables". These were attached to their waists from a sash or belt that hung down. These bags were not only useful but very beautiful as well. You can make your own with pounded flower parts and leaves.

Give your students or young children a lesson in science, art, and fashion and have them make a very trendy yet historial indispensable carrying bag. First you will need: one yard of plain light colored fabric, a hammer, many kinds of flowering plants, glue or staples, fabric pens, a big-eyed needle and some yarn in assorted colors.

For a circular shaped bag, measure a circle 25"-28". If you want a rectangle shaped bag, your measurements should be 9" x 20". You will only be decorating 9" x 8" of this as the body of your bag. It will have a flag measuring 4". Now you are ready to cut out your fabric.

In your flower bed or in a field of wildflowers, pick a few. Before you begin with your bag, it is a good idea to practice on a scrap piece of fabric. Work with only one flower petal at a time. Ones that work well are geraniums, violets and violas, pansies, vinca, tea roses, primrose, phlox and rock cress. Good transferring leaves are bridal wreath, house ivy, and ferns. Try all different types of flowers and leaves but keep in mind that juicy parts won't work well.

Now, put some newspaper or other protective covering down on your kitchen table or sidewalk and put your fabric on top. Arrange 3-4 flower petals and leaves in any design you wish in a 2-3" space. Now put a protective cover over your design, like wax paper. Now with your hammer, give the petals a good pounding. This should make some of the plant color seep through to the fabric. Now very carefully take off the wax paper. If the shape is how you like it, leave it alone. If not, hammer the leaves and flowers a bit more. To complete the entire bag takes time so be patient.

Make a drawstring for your bag by sewing some yarn 2" from the circle border. Pull the yarn carefully and you have your very own indispensable bag just like Caroline Ingalls.

If you want to make a rectangle shaped bag, you just sew the sides of the cotton rectangle with right sides together. Turn it inside out and turn the flap over to finish the edges. Voila!