How to Make a Map Purse

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Laminate as much of your map as you can with the clear contact paper.

   Laminate both sides.
   
   It is easiest to peel up only a thin (2 inch, 5cm) strip of the contact paper backing at a time and smooth it onto the map as you go.
   
   Avoid wrinkles and bubbles, smoothing from the middle to the edges and in the direction you're rolling.
   
   You may also want to iron wrinkles out of the map with a cool iron before you begin this step. , This should leave you with a 12 or 18 inch (30-45cm) wide strip of laminated map depending on your roll width., Make the first three inches (75mm) wide (for the handles) and the second 9 to 16 inches (225 to 400mm) wide (for the sides and flap)., This longer strip will become your purse closure flap.
   
   Temporarily tape them into position with clear tape or masking tape., This will form the ends of your purse., Take care that your pinches/miters are evenly sized.,,, If you used a sewing machine, turn the purse inside out to hide your seams. ,,,, For those who sew, fold it as bias tape is folded.
   
   Others, fold in the two raw edges about half an inch each side.
   
   Then fold the whole thing in half again so that your first folds match up and your raw edges are hidden on the inside of the fold.,, Be sure to attach it securely enough to withstand the weight of whatever you will carry., This helps the purse hold its shape as well as securing the purse handle.,,,,,, Place the corresponding Velcro tab on the mark and glue or sew it into place.,
2. 2

   Step 2: Remove any areas of the map that are not laminated.

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   Step 3: Cut the laminated map strip into two long strips.

4. 4

   Step 4: Fold the wide map strip so that one end is approximately 6 inches (150mm) longer than the other.

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   Step 5: Fold the long sides in approximately 3 inches (75mm) each.

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   Step 6: Pinch the corners into a flat miter to form the sides.

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   Step 7: Tape the side edges together.

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   Step 8: Tape down the miters on the inside of the purse.

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   Step 9: Measure

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    Step 10: cut and place a piece of cardboard in the bottom of your purse and tape the mitered corners flat over its ends to hold it in place.

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    Step 11: Measure the rectangle formed by your miters (the “bottom” of the purse”) and cut a piece of pressed cardboard to match.

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    Step 12: Cover the cardboard rectangle in laminated map.

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    Step 13: Sew your handle strips.

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    Step 14: Fold the remaining 4-inch (100mm) strip of laminated map.

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    Step 15: Tape the handle to your map-covered rectangle.

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    Step 16: Sew or glue the handle to the ends of your map purse.

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    Step 17: Slide the cardboard rectangle into the bottom of the purse and secure it there with glue.

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    Step 18: Fold your 6- to 8-inch flap over the front of your purse opening.

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    Step 19: Mark the area that overlaps on the sides and miter cut the corner.

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    Step 20: Fold the edges of your flap so that they will line up with the “body” of the purse with little overlap.

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    Step 21: Sew or tape the edges down and trim off any excess.

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    Step 22: Place your Velcro tab in the center of the flap and sew or glue it into place.

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    Step 23: Mark where the flap Velcro lies when the purse is closed.

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    Step 24: As a cute accessory

25. 25

    Step 25: glue a Hot Wheels car (or similar) to the center of the front flap.

Detailed Guide

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