Here is my submission for the HistoricCostumes accessories competition.

It is a medieval purse, based on an original find which is published in 'Textiles and Clothing 1150-1450' by Elizabeth Crowfoot, Frances Pritchard & Kay Staniland
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer/Museum of London

The original was made in half silk velvet and has a tablet woven 'handle' I prefer to call it a purse string.

My version is made from cotton brocade which would have been available in England in the 14th and 15th centuries but would have been a high status fabric which is why I've chosen it for a purse. The tablet woven purse string was worked by me in cotton pearl embroidery thread in three shades of blue to compliment the purse. The description of the original led me to believe it was worked directly onto the edges of the purse over the raw edges of the fabric. This allows for a narrow, yet strong seam where no raw edges are exposed. The purse is lined in with a paler blue linen. The tassels are simple knots in the warp ends of the weaving, the third tassel has been made the same way from left over warp threads, the threads divided, fanned and sewn to either side of the purse so that there is no face or reverse to the purse.

The close ups show the reverse and face of the tablet weaving and the centre tassle, the quality of the close ups isn't brilliant. If I can reduce camera shake I'll update the picture.

Costs:
Linen lining - left over scraps from a kirtle £7.99/metre 60" wide I used about 3"x8" about 8p
Brocade - left over scraps from a gown. Bargain from the market £5/metre 60" wide same quantity = about 5p
Tablet braid = 3 balls of cotton pearl thread purchased as end of line at 50p per ball = £1.50
Sewing thread from stock.
Total costs £1.63
I'm not sure what the exchange rate is but at $1.8 to the £1 that's a really expensive purse of $2.93

For reference of the stye of medieval purses that are similar to my purse I have attached some links.
Unfortunately my copy of the textiles book is in storage so I am unable to add a picture here, I did study the description at length some time ago and decided tht I must try to make the purse with the tablet woven purse string attached during weaving.
Here are some examples of purses in a market,from the Manesse Codex paintings, produced between 1300 and 1315. [link]
This one is 1400-1500 and has more similarities to the one I used for inspriration.[link]
This one is an example of an italian brocade purse made of silk, linen and cotton. [link]
You can just make out the purse on this tomb effigy. [link] , a little larger in this picture [link]
These are more purses of similar shapes and sizes dating from 1200-1300. [link]