There’s no need to take on a complicated project in order to create chic accent pillows. Believe it or not, slight alterations to a handbag can create the perfect accent pillow!

My fiancé’s accessory closet gave me inspiration for this project. She, like many other women, has an entire shelf of cherished purses in her closet. Each represents a memory or coordination with her wardrobe, but there were a few bags which she hadn’t used in a while.

I’m a firm believer that one person’s unused accessory can be another person’s treasured designer find. Therefore, with a little determination I set out to repurpose her old handbags into pillows for her seating area.

But prior to attacking them with a pair of scissors, I asked her which ones she could live without. I’m adventurous, not crazy. Guy tip: Don’t try this at home without supervision from the Mrs.

Supplies:
— Square or rectangular cloth handbag with zipper
— Scissors
— Needle and thread (If handbag needs alterations or doesn’t have a zipper)
— Pillow batting
— Fabric paint (optional)

Step 1: Choose a handbag that has great potential for a pillow. Square and rectangular bags with a zippered top are best as they allow you to skip over steps three to five.

Step 2: Cut the straps off the handbag.

Step 3: In this case, the bag needs to be altered in shape to create a perfect rectangle. To do so, cut the lining of the bag and remove the thread from the area that requires alteration. Also remove any cardboard holding the bottom of the handbag in place.

Step 4: Sew the opening using a slip stitch technique. This involves sewing from the outside of the bag in a straight line with the incisions being an eighth of an inch apart.

Step 5: Repeat steps three and four for the opposing end of the bag.

Step 6: For a more creative approach, stencil a design on the bag using fabric paint.

Step 7: Fill the bag with batting and zip it up.

Step 8: Your handbag has been transformed into a designer pillow and is now ready to showcase on your sofa.