• One placemat
• 17" of heavy duty webbing (I used 1 1/4" wide)
• fabric, ribbon and trim to embellish
• Heat 'n Bond to embellish basket and finish ends of handles
• 5" of 7/8" grosgrain (or comparable ribbon, to finish ends of handles)

Embellish the front of your placemat on the right side of the placemat.  You'll be able to tell the right side as either the side with no care tag or the side that the ends are not hemmed toward. Since the bottom of your basket will be 6" deep, stay within the top 5 1/2" inches of the placemat. Otherwise, you won't be able to see all of your embellishment when you sew up the purse. Also, don't forget you'll be using a 1/2" seam allowance on the sides. Let your creativity go nuts on this part. If you have an embroidery machine, you can really create some fun patterns. Otherwise, sew on ribbons, buttons, trims, jewels or fabric appliques. The embellishments are easier to add before the baskets are assembled.

Fold placemat in half with right sides together. After you fold the placemat, you should not see your embellishment.

Stitch 1/2" from edges on both sides. Make sure you backstitch (hit reverse on your machine) at the top and the bottom.

This forms the bottom of the basket. Take one side seam you just sewed and place it on top with the top of the basket toward you (the basket is shown upside down). Force the bag to flatten with the bottom of the seam forming the top of the triangle. Stitch across the triangle as shown, 2 3/4" from the point of the triangle, which will make a 6" stitch. Again, make sure you backstitch. It's too difficult to open up the seam allowance, so just turn the seam allowance to one side or the other. Do the same on the other seam.

Turn basket right side out. If you want to add a ball fringe or other trim, you can sew it around the top at this point. Start at one of the side seams and the raw edges will be hidden under the handle.

Cut the ends of your cotton webbing cleanly and apply fray check to prevent raveling. Heat 'n Bond and stitch a 7/8" or 1" wide ribbon to the handle if desired. Cut a piece of ribbon 1/2" longer than the width of your webbing (if you use 1 1/4" webbing, cut it 1 3/4" long). Press Heat 'n Bond to the ribbon.

Peel the paper backing off of the Heat 'n Bond and position the finished edge of the ribbon about 3/8" from the end of the webbing handle. Press the ribbon to the webbing, careful not to melt the ribbon to the ironing board. This will be the "right side" of the handle.

Turn the handle over and fold in the sides of the ribbon and press to the webbing and to the ribbon. Again, be careful not to iron the exposed Heat 'n Bond.

Apply a tiny piece of Heat 'n Bond to the bottom half of the ribbon. Remove the paper and fold the ribbon up onto the webbing and press.

Repeat steps 6 through 9 for other end of handle. Be sure to keep the "right side" of the handle the same as for the other end.

Place handle on basket at side seam with right side out and stitch to basket across the top of the ribbon. Stitch twice to ensure the handle stays secure. Repeat on other side of basket.