The winter season is often thought of us who reenact or work at a living history museum as ball season. What a wonderful accessory would a little purse be as a gift this time of year.
Here is a pattern for one of my favorite little purses inspired by those in the MET and MFA collections.
You will need about a fat quarter (20″x20″) of silk for the exterior, a fat quarter for the inside and two sheets of 8 1/2″x11″ pasteboard to make this purse. You may also want leather to use for the center or ribbon for the handles as well as a button for the closure.
Cut four pieces of pasteboard according to the inner most line. Cut two pieces of outer silk and two pieces of inner silk or scrap cotton according to the second dotted line from the center. Cover two sets of pasteboard, each with an outer and an inner fabric using a whip-stitch around the outside edge.
Cut lengths of the outer silk 3 1/2″ wide on the bias. Sew the strips together so you have one long strip at least 30″ long. Turn each side under to the wrong side a quarter inch. Gauge both folded edges down to the size of all sides of the center piece except the very top.
With the outside of the bias piece and the outside of the first center piece together, whip the gauged bias to the center on all sided except the top.
Repeat with the other center piece.
Turn this piece right side out.
Cut two flat-topped circles according to the pattern out of the inside fabric. Sew with a quarter inch seam allowance. Whip if needed.
Slide the lining inside the bag. Turning in the raw edges at the top, attach the lining to the out silk.
Attach one or two handles as desired. Add a closer as desired.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
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