Scrap Happy Purse

I have wanted to make one of these for a long time. The pattern has been in my Craftsy wishlist for months. If you would like to purchase a copy of the pattern for yourself, click here to purchase it directly from the pattern designer or search for it as "Scrap Happy Purse" on Craftsy. The pattern is by Amanda Jean who blogs at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Here is my Scrap Happy Purse.

This is my first time using pre-made handles. They were pretty easy to hand sew on. The pattern also has instructions for fabric handles in case you don't have or don't want to use pre-made handles.

There are two pockets on the inside.

You could very easily add more pockets to the inside. There is a magnetic closure at the top. I used a new-to-me version of these that get sewn in on the wrong side of the lining so they are hidden. They are called invisible sew-in magnetic snaps. The link will take you to Nancy's Notions where I purchased mine.

These were interesting to sew on since the stitch plate on my machine is metal. Every time the magnet got close to the stitch plate it would jump. I ended up glueing the magnet to the wrong side of the lining and then placing a scrap of batting, folded over so it was doubled, underneath the magnet so I could sew it on. My machine had no problem sewing it on after that.

Pattern details: The pattern is well-written and easy to follow. There are good diagrams where needed. The finished bag is 9" wide by 11" tall by 5" deep. It is a great way to use up every last bit of your favorite fabrics!

I purchased this pattern. The above review is voluntary. I am not benefitting in any way by giving it a good review. I simply like the pattern and am happy with how my bag turned out. 

New Purse and Book Review

A couple weeks ago I showed you the fabric I purchased for my new purse.

Last week I was able to make the purse.

I'm very happy with how it turned out!

I taught myself how to put in a concealed zipper!

I also put pockets inside.

A few months ago I bought The Bag Making Bible: The Complete Guide to Sewing and Customizing Your Own Unique Bags by Lisa Lam.

I really like to make bags, but I wanted to learn how to customize patterns to fit my needs. This book does exactly that. I used the Pick-A-Pocket Purse pattern design by Monica Solorio-Snow of the Happy Zombie. It is a free pattern on allpeoplequilt.com. The original pattern has no closure of any kind and no inside pockets. I really liked the basic design but wanted to tweek it to suit my needs and tastes. Lisa's book really helped with that.

Her book covers all aspects of bag anatomy and design. First she covers the basic equipment used in bag making - the usual sewing supplies but also tailors awls, pliers, bodkins and more. Then she covers what presser feet and sewing machine stitches you'll need and why. Next there are diagrams and photos covering the various parts of a bag. The chapters cover things like using a pattern and adjusting it to fit your needs, choosing fabrics for your bags, structure and reinforcement, linings, closures, handles and straps, pockets, edgings and trimmings.

So far I've only really used the chapter on closures. At the beginning of the chapter there is a chart listing the 7 different types of closures she covers, the page numbers each is on, the benefits of each and suggested uses for each. Then there are three pages worth of information about the various closure tools (zippers, snaps, locks, eyelets and rivets). All this before she gets to explaining how to use each of the 7 closure types! Can you tell that I really like this book?!

There are plenty of pictures for each of the techniques along with written instructions. For me, the pictures were not sufficient on their own to learn the technique but they do supplement the written instructions well. So I did have to actually read not just look at the pictures! Maybe if I was a more experienced sewist the pictures would be sufficient. I don't know.

Each chapter, and there are 8, ends with a pattern that features one of the techniques covered in the chapter. AND all of the patterns are included on full-size pull-out sheets at the end of the book. So you can get started right away making any of the patterns in the book. If you want to learn about bag construction and how to customize patterns to suit your needs, I highly recommend this book.

Goldie was "helping" me take pictures of my new purse last week. She wanted to be in the pictures with the purse but I said no. I placated her by taking some pictures of just her.

Then her friend, Sarge, from across the street wanted his picture taken too.

He's in Goldie's favorite spot in our yard and she decided she couldn't tolerate that.

They really are good friends, but Goldie has her limits of what she is willing to share.

Recent Shopping

I've been finishing lots of things lately which means I get to replenish my stash. So I've been shopping! I love to shop in my jammies online. My favorite haunt lately is The Intrepid Thread.

Oh me, oh my! Julie just has the most gorgeous fabric! Last Friday she had a 20% off sale. I absolutely couldn't resist the grays in the new Rendezvous line.

Aren't they fabulous! I just had to have them for my Modern Monday Quilt Along.

The reds just looked so pretty too so I just bought the whole bundle. I have no idea what I'll do with the red ones, but since when does a girl need a plan for every piece of fabric when she buys it?

As long as I was shopping I also got this half yard bundle of Wrenly.

I've got a couple of patterns in mind for this bundle of loveliness but I haven't decided which one I'll do yet.

And check out my new purse.

Well...it's not a purse yet, but it will be. The fabric just arrived on Tuesday afternoon and I had to work all day Wednesday! It will be a purse soon though.

I can really tell that the Earth is tilting into Winter. My pictures look a bit dark. The garage hides the sun for part of the year so that it doesn't shine as brightly into my sewing room window. Guess I need to wait a little longer before taking pictures and/or compensate somehow for the lower light levels until Spring.

Hop over to Susan's at Blackberry Creek Home Arts to see what other Little Green Quilters have busted this week. I don't have bust myself this week but I've only got two more things on my list. If I don't finish another UFO this year I won't mind. I've done all the ones that I really wanted to get done. I am going to try to finish the list though and try to start 2012 with "fresh" UFO's - LOL!

Cutting

I have been cutting out stuff today. I signed up for Sandy's Holiday Challenge over at Quilting for the Rest of Us, so most of what I cut out today are going to be gifts. Click on the link to go see what the challenge is all about.

The first project I cut out is not a gift. It will be a zipper pouch for me to match the purse I made recently.

All of these will eventually be a purse with a matching zipper pouch.

I don't feel like I accomplished a whole lot, but that is only because I didn't actually sew anything today. The cutting was a lot of work!