My little purse has been in dire need of replacement for several months now, it was getting to be a bit of an embarrassment and the crunch came when the clasp was so weak all my change kept falling out into the depths of my handbag! Last week I finally got round to making a new one.
I’ve a few purse frames in my stash of varying sizes and styles. I picked a rectangular shaped sew in one, slightly bigger than my current purse. I drafted a pattern by drawing round the frame and then extending the sides outwards.With hindsight I should have extended them a bit more, but it will suffice.
Ages ago I bought some embroidered silk furnishing fabric sample books, the sort you can flick through in curtain shops. The pieces aren’t huge but when I checked on line when I first got them the fabrics were retailing at £90-£120 per metre!!! It’s nice silk!
I chose one which is a pretty duck egg blue colour with a lovely floral design embroidered on it. I could just nicely position the pattern so I had a flower on the front of the purse.
I cut out the two silk pieces, two in batik cotton for the lining and two in wadding to soften it a bit. I used iron on interfacing on the silk too to give it a bit of structure. I made the lining first, just to check the pattern worked.
Luckily I read one of my previous blogs on making purses which mentioned about leaving a gap for turning at the bottom of the lining – I’d forgotton that bit! I made the basic purse, turned it and then hand stitched it into the frame. The inside isn’t as neat as I would have liked, I could cover it with some trim but I’ll probably leave it – I won’t even notice it within a week!
I used DMC thread last time, but this time I decided to try perle thread instead, I’m not so sure about it at the moment as I did have a few issues with a strand breaking…time will tell if it’s durable or not! It looks nice though!
My purse is already in use, it’s a nice size as a coin purse – big enough to get your fingers in easily! I could have done with a bit more fabric in the corners as it doesn’t look quite right at the top, otherwise I’m really pleased with it. It holds it’s shape well without being too bulky, but it’s substantial enough to hold easily.
Just need a new wallet and handbag now…
thecraftycreek 
What a great way to use some lovely silk! I think you’ve made this very well, and certainly not one to be ashamed of now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is soooo pretty !!! I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Faby, it’s already in use 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve been wanting to try this with some of my hand-woven fabric–maybe your post will be the thing that gets me moving! Yours turned out very nicely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, hand woven fabric would be gorgeous for a purse 🙂
LikeLike
This is so pretty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lisa, I’m pleased with it.
LikeLike
What a great idea and such a cute bag. I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely little bag, Margaret! You’ve reminded me I have a little purse to make up. Some time. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Del, I’m pretty pleased with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
This is lovely! I love the flower on the front. You can’t even notice the sewing. I purchased a vintage embroidered purse that was much larger than this one, with more stitching in the clasp, and you could see it was hand sewn throughout. These are wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Linda, it’s lovely when you find handmade treasures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That turned out so well. It is handy to have this notes on previous blog posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kathy, it was very useful to read my previous blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did that myself this week, before starting some sauerkraut!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went through a stage of making these little purses and really ought to go through another stage as I have quite a few frames hanging about. They make nice little gifts and scrap busters too
LikeLiked by 1 person
I seem to have picked up a few frames too 🙂
LikeLike
looks lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Claire, I’m fairly pleased with it.
LikeLike
Hello Margaret, your purse is beautiful. I didn’t know you could buy those furnishing samples here. Where did you buy your frame from. I love it and would love to make myself one. Regards Mandy xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mandy, there’s quite a few places sell purse frames, have a look on etsy or just google it, you can get glue in or sew in frames. It’s worth checking your local curtain store to see what they do with their sample books, some will give them away. I bought three for £5 from the Cone Exchange at the Harrogate Show, Cone Exchange is a charity recycling craft store.
LikeLike
Thank you Margaret xx
LikeLike