Who Needs Experience When You Have a Sewing Coach?

So you have no experience sewing a handbag? Creating a beautiful clutch or structured handbag can look intimidating to people who have no previous experience in this area. But should you let a cute little bag get the better part of you? When I learned how to sew a handbag I had zero purse-making experience. I bought a generic sewing machine, asked a few questions here and there, and began making bags purely from a “this looks like it makes sense” perspective.

As a result, I actually made something you could call a bag, but it was just not what we would call “finished work” or “boutique quality”. I would be the first to admit that as someone who had no prior experience, this hit and miss method led to more teeth-gritting than I care to remember. Taking lessons from an experienced instructor would have made the task a thousand times easier. Unfortunately, I had no such person at the time.

There Are A Few Basic Requirements

Today I can confidently say, after mastering the art of making extraordinary purses and teaching students (most of whom never used a sewing machine before) that you do not need prior experience. Everyone making bags had to start somewhere. I can’t speak about every purse making technique there is, but after trial and error, more unfortunate tantrums I care to divulge, and a host of sit down conversations with skilled technicians, I finally came up with a technique that makes sense and is of course doable by even a newbie bag maker.

Here’s what you need to learn my Teri Monique method of purse making:

1. The ability to see (your machine, materials & video tutorial),
2. You’ll need to know how to turn on your sewing machine (machines come with a manual),
3. Learn how to stitch a straight line (I’m not kidding) and
4. The ability to follow instructions (this simplifies the process).

But Can You Make a Bag?

Granted, some people have their minds made up about what they can and can’t do. But you will quickly see how simple it is to follow the steps as they are outlined to you. If a class of hyperactive 6 year-olds picked up on the basics, I’m believing you can too—with ease.

If you’re still wondering if experience is necessary for making beautiful Teri Monique handbags, the answer is simply a resounding no. Whether you sew or not, this level of purse making is a breeze.   Your experience will develop the minute you begin the process. My own did and so will yours.