Foam Purse

by Mary Ruthven
(Palm Coast, FL.)

Items Needed:
1 sheet of foam (appx. 5X7")your choice of color
Mini beads (your choice of colors)
Pony beads (your choice of colors)
String for handle (length depends on how long you want it)
Small piece of thin elastic for closure
2 buttons
Needle and thread

Here's a fun project with simple stitching and you can make it using any color foam and beads. Maybe in your school colors and you can use letter beads to spell out words such as your name or favorite team!

Take a foam sheet (approx. 5 x 7) and fold bottom up about 3/4 of the way. Take the remaining amount and fold it over the top, which will be the flap of the purse.

Draw a line on the inside where the bottom fold will be. Open foam and stitch mini beads across the top flap. Thread mini beads and attach to bottom of purse, working your way across the line you drew. Be sure the line will be inside the purse where it does not show.

Fold foam into purse shape and hold closed with your hand. Stitch around the two sides. Remember that you are working with foam so don't pull too hard like you can with material. Knot at the end.
Now take the piece of thin elastic and tie the ends in a knot.

Place it in the center on the flap and lay button on top. Sew the button on making sure you sew a few times through the elastic.Close flap and determine where the other button needs to be. You want it far enough down so elastic holds purse closed firmly but not to much where it causes foam to rip when used.

Sew other button on. Slide pony beads onto your string and knot both ends. Sew each end onto purse for the handle.

Congratulations! You just made an original purse. This would make a great project for girl sleepovers!