by Jessi Wohlwend
The full tutorial for making these DIY purse organizers is below, but if don’t want to make one yourself, I’ll make it for you! You can find these purse organizer inserts in my Etsy shop in a variety of colors!
I don’t know about you, but my purse is usually a mess! I have tons of little things floating around inside of it, and it’s pretty crazy trying to find anything smaller than my wallet. But this quick and easy DIY purse organizer insert I made out of a hot pad has totally helped!
This DIY handbag organizer is awesome! The plastic baggies protect my purse from spills and keep everything organized all in one place. It’s small enough to easily fit in my purses, and I can switch it from bag to bag. But it’s big enough that I can find it when I reach into my purse without hunting around for it. It’s perfect for any purse or handbag!
DIY Purse Organizer Tutorial
You only need a few things for this project, and you can customize the colors however you’d like!
- a hot pad (with the loop in the middle of a side, not at a corner)
- 6 Ziploc sandwich bags (about 6″ x 6″)
- a large button
- fabric and ribbon (optional, for decorating the outside)
- a sewing machine, or a needle and thread if you want to sew by hand
- sewing pins
If you want to decorate the outside of your purse organizer, do that first. I liked the fabric of the hot pads I found at the dollar store, but you can easily sew a square of fabric onto the outside of your hot pad if it’s boring.
I did pretty mine up a bit by sewing a ribbon across the “front”. The finished DIY purse organizer insert will be folded in half with the loop on the “back”, so take this into account when decorating.
Once the outside is decorated to your liking, it’s time to add the bags to the inside. Lay your Ziploc bags on top of the hot pad, alternating the orientation for each one so that the openings are on alternating sides. Line them up square with each other and pin them down so they don’t slide around while you sew. Make sure the bag openings face towards and away from the loop (like the picture below), not towards the “sides” of the hot pad.
Sew through the center of the bags with a zigzag stitch to attach them to the hot pad. If you want a bit of extra reinforcement, put a skinny piece of ribbon on top of the bags before you sew them down onto the hot pad so the stitches aren’t pulling directly on the plastic.
By sewing the bags down the middle, you basically just cut them in half: one half has the Ziploc opening and the other half is just the bottom of the bag. Cut off the extra “bottom” ends of all six bags, leaving the Ziploc opening sides as they are.
All that’s left is to sew a button onto the front of the hot pad. This way you can hook the loop around it to keep the purse organizer insert closed.
Now fill it up and enjoy your totally adorable and totally useful DIY bag organizer!
This little purse organizer insert is perfect for keeping all of the little things in my purse organized. I always like to be prepared, so I usually have cough drops and band-aids with me, and in the spring I always have extra allergy meds just in case.
If you want one for yourself, you can find them in my Etsy shop in a variety of colors!
linda mills says
not able to click on any picture
Jessi Wohlwend says
Oh, sorry! Some of the image links were broken after my most recent site update, but I’ve fixed them now so you should be able to see the images.
Dearlives says
Freaking awesome. Great idea to have one for my large purse. So glad i found this to turn my old purse into a newdiy purse.
Vicki Bucy says
One word … BRILLIANT!
Becky says
As others have said, great idea! I’ve lost a lot of weight and plan to alter most of my wardrobe. So, I’ve been buying very inexpensive notions in bulk–in part because I’m very cheap–and partly because having just the right zipper, etc. on hand keeps the creativity flowing.
I detest going to the store in the middle of a project. My idea gets muddled, or I’m distracted by the other neato do dads–seriously, I’m like a monkey chasing shiny objects. Even when focused, the virtual sea of selections and prices knocks the fun right out of it.
The absolute worst is discovering I already have several duplicates of the things I just bought, but didn’t see buried under other, similar items. Unless you don’t mind being overrun by baskets and sectioned organizers, storage options are limited.
Until I saw your idea, the plan was to throw hundreds of new buttons in a basket and dig through all when I need one. If I make one organizer for every notion; attach a ribbon to the back; put one of each type in a clear luggage tag on the front; then hang them on a peg board, I can easily see what I have, and keep the items separate. Woo hoo!
I hope you don’t mind if I modify your idea. 🙂
Thank you for saving me endless frustration!!
Jessi Wohlwend says
Oh my gosh, that’s a brilliant idea! I love it!!! Definitely send me photos when it’s finished, I’d love to see it! You can email me at [email protected].
Eunice says
This is great idea. I used a potholder to make sunglasses protecters. Just sew one end and the side.! Perfect to keep scratche free.
Jessi Wohlwend says
Smart idea!
Caroline says
So cute! For the “extra” baggie side, you could cut a slit and the width (as opposed to the length) and slip in photos of the hubs and kids! Or coupons 🙂
Jessi Wohlwend says
Smart! I usually just cut those off, but that’s a great idea!
Alice Hirst says
I have used this tutorial and made some of these little organisers for my ‘Open House’ sale end June. I have put a link to your blog on my blog so that there is no doubt that I did not come up with this idea myself!
Cherie says
I love these. I made one for me and got tons of requests for them. Made one from a placemat and gallon size bags for a friend.
Romy says
Found your great tutorial and just finished my own 🙂 (altough I didn’t use a hot pad for mine)
Thank you for this usefull little thing!
Sandy says
I made these as Christmas gifts last year, and I added a strip of elastic across the hot pad before adding bags. I use it to tuck in a small notepad & pen. It’s so helpful! Then I add bobby pins, hair ties, safety pins, & bandaids to get them started!
Jessi Wohlwend says
What a great idea Sandy!!!
Carrie says
I am going to make one of these today!! Hopefully I can find some real cute hot pads!! Thanks for such a great idea!!
Dory says
How creative!!!!!! Great idea for Christmas gifts. Love it! Love it! Love it!
Marilyn says
I saw something similar, and they used snack sized plastic bags. Using them is similar to using the EcoZip, but they can be purchased for a lot less. The snack sized bags overlap by about an inch, so there is not as much wasted plastic bag as with regular sized bags.
Rachel R. says
I wonder about using these: http://www.ecozip-bags.com/Buy.html I bought them by accident once at the supermarket, and the size we got is essentially snack-sized on both sides – so zipper seals on both ends.
Jessi Wohlwend says
Those would be totally perfect! That way you wouldn’t “waste” the bottom half of the baggie!
Janet Lilenfeld says
Genius !
Melody ambler says
Could you please add me to your mailing list? Thank you!!
Stacey says
Stupendous idea! I just put a pot holder on my shopping list so I can do this!
Jacque says
What a great idea girl! Brilliant!
Diana Rambles says
This is brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PINNED!
Sarah says
So cute and functional! Thank you for sharing!
Lindsay @Artsy-Fartsy Mama says
Genius!! Thanks for sharing at Artsy Corner 🙂
Amanda says
What a great idea! My bag is usually pretty organized, but not always. I could totally put this to use. Thanks for sharing at I Made It! Monday. Can’t wait to see what you link up this week.
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime says
Wow – such a cute idea!! Love it and pinning it. Thanks for linking up at Romance on a dime!!
Shannon says
What a great idea – I definitely need one of these. Thanks for sharing this at The Weekly Creative!
Shannon @ Sewing Barefoot
Consie @ Atop Serenity Hill says
This a great idea! Too bad I don’t sew! LO!L…I will have to talk my mom into trying this for me. Found you at Happy Hour Friday…
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Lol! It’s only one line of stitches, so hopefully she’d be willing to do it! 🙂
javeriyasayeedsiddiqui says
Such a brilliant idea! Pinning it up. I definitely need to make this. Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Melanie {Reasons To Skip The Housework} says
Found you over at I Heart Naptime! I’d love for you to come link this up at my Tuesday Time Out!
Melanie Reasons To Skip The Housework
Shelle says
I love this small version! I have a bigger one made with a placemat in my car and I use it as a portable first aid kit.
nissaMade says
This is such a great idea.. I can see so many uses. Thanks for sharing!
Ana Lopes says
Great work! Love the idea! Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial! Would love to have you visit me sometime.
Have a fabulous day!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Inspire Me Heather says
Very clever and it looks great too!
Claire says
Great project !
I would love you to come and share it at my Craft, Create & Inspire Linky party
http://polkadotpretties.com/2012/12/craft-create-inspire-linky-party-17/
Hope to see you there:)
Claire@ Polkadot pretties x
amy says
Ooh, Jessi, that is such a great {and functional!} idea! Love it!! And I love how cute you made it too. Pretty please, would you share it at Shine on Fridays if you haven’t already? http://www.oneartsymama.com/2013/02/shine-on-fridays-67-and-giveaway.html
Katie says
GENIUS.
I’ve been using a little makeup clutch to hold everything so I can just switch it and my wallet back and forth between the diaper bag, my purse, and my gym bag, but maybe I’ll make a couple of these and then only have to switch my wallet. Plus, they’re super cute! And I like the placemat version idea another commenter mentioned. Whee organizing!
Barbara says
Very strange. I was in my favorite thrift shop yesterday & saw 1 of these for a $1.00. Couldn’t figure out what it was for. Thought it was clever, & was going to buy to use for coupons, but I didn’t think there was enough space for them. Do you think that instead of sewing the baggies on exactly in 1/2 it would still work if you sewed them on at 3/4 of the length so coupons would fit?
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
You could definitely sew the bags on at 3/4 instead of half, the only possible problem is you still have to fold the hot pad in half to button it closed. As long as your coupons weren’t too stiff to fold, it should be fine!
Nicole says
OR- what about stitching the baggies down the side directly across from the side with the loop. Then you would have access to the entire size of the potholder and baggies! It could still fold in half, since the zipper part of the bags would not have to be folded. I think it would open then like a book, loop on the right hand side, as well as the zipper openings for your baggies, and your ribbon/ reinforced stitching would be on the left hand side! Whatchathink?!?! Coupons are thin and flat and should fold over fine to hook your button closure!!
Jessi Wohlwend says
Oh that would work super well for coupons! I love that idea!
Shelley Gardner says
If you did two pot holders on top of one another, you definitely could have a “book” configuration with the full use of the baggies (except for the part you had to stick under your “Binding” ribbon with zigzag to hold them in) The top potholder sewn on would even hide the binding ribbon inside, and you still could put a cute ribbon and button enclosure on the open side. I like the idea of a contrasting fabric to cover the “spine” section. The bigger one would be good for a child’s travels- crayons, small note pads, even pieces of candy for a long trip. The child gets fussy on a long car trip or plane ride, and you pop out the surprise book.
Jessi Wohlwend says
Great idea Shelley!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes} says
Just saw your link over at Six Sisters and had to come and check out your project.
What a GREAT IDEA! Holy cow, why didn’t I think of something like this sooner? So glad I found you 🙂
I’d love for you to link up a few projects at my weekend link party that is going on right now @The Weekend re-Treat!
Hope to see you there!
Monsterscircus says
Hey so clever idea! Could really use some organisation for my bag! Thanks for the idea, genius 🙂
Michelle B says
Genius idea! How long until you have to replace the bags usually?
norma brooks says
;now this is a smart ideal.
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
No idea Michelle! I just made mine pretty recently and I haven’t had the bags tear or get holes in them, but I imagine that could happen at some point.
When I freeze individual portions of fruits and veggies for smoothies, I just reuse those sandwich bags again and again. They’re the same type of bags I used for this and I’ve been reusing those bags for almost a year and they’re fine (as long as I wash them out between uses, obviously!), so I hope these will last a while too. 🙂
Sara says
Aah!! So cute!! Love this crafty idea. 🙂
Angela says
What a clever idea!!
Tammy says
Pinned this awesome idea! Thanks!
Ginger says
Brilliant! This will definitely be on my to do list. Thanks!
I’d love if you shared these at my Show & Tell party this week. http://www.gingerlymade.com/2013/02/show-tell-13.html
Marc says
Great! Wish I had a purse 🙂
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Lol Dad! I can make you a “manly” one and you can stick it in your bike bag!
Crystal says
What a great idea!! I love that it holds all your little things that otherwise gets lost at the bottom of the abyss (or bottom of your purse). Can’t wait to make one!!
Christina @ Floridays Mom says
Terrific Idea! Like you said, my purse is a complete disaster and I love carrying big purses so everything just ends up floating around. Thanks for sharing!
Melissa B says
I love this idea! =)
Its such a cute organizer, just right for your purse.
ngnrdgrl says
I love it! I want to make some now. So cute and clever!
Christine says
What a nea idea to stay organized! My biggest problem in my purse is always receipts. If I ever put little stuff in there it usually gets lost forever so this is a great solution for that
Linda says
Great idea! I used to make a larger version of this for a travel bag using gallon size bags and a placemat.
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Oh wow, what a great idea for packing in suitcases!