My new purse

[dreamflower]

I spent most of yesterday and today sewing, and just finished the new purse I designed for fall.

Pics behind cut. Again, I apologize for the huge size; I will have to work on that...


I've always loved unicorns, so that's the theme here. Both pictures printed on fabric from the computer.


Here's the front I got the inspiration for this purse when at a yard sale, I picked up some upholstery fabric samples. They were all these perfect 10x12 rectangles. I picked out two complimentary ones for this purse, one design for the front and one for the back.

The pattern's my own--a simple envelope style with a gusset.


First I put on the embellishment, making leaves from some green satiny jacquard-like fabric, and using a "yo-yo" maker to make the flowers from scraps I had on hand. I ironed on the unicorn pics, and then embellished them with some gold embroidery by hand, before sewing on the flowers.

I used a tassle I'd bought months ago on clearance at Walmart to embellish the flap. It's not a closure.


Here's the back. You probably recognize the picture.

The handle is a chain I salvaged from a yard sale. It's detachable, and I may replace it with a cord handle later. The chain is not quite long enough for me to use it as a sling, although it does go over my shoulder.

Anyway, it was fun to work on. I'm planning a new LotR purse as well. The one I have now is faded beyond all recognition. *sigh*

Comments

[periantari.livejournal.com]

oooo Very nice job! I really like the detail you put into it! It's definitely really pretty. :)

[dreamflower]

Thank you! It was a lot of fun to make.

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

Oh my word, Barbara - that is BEAUTIFUL! You are so creative! My daughter would love that purse as she is crazy about unicorns.

I so admire people with skills and talents like yours.

[dreamflower]

Thank you! I've collected unicorns since 1972--not quite so long as I've been reading LotR, but for a while, anyhow, LOL!

It's more skill than talent, I think. I truly believe that *anyone* can be artistic if they learn a few techniques! Certainly some have more talents in some areas than in others--but it just takes a little learning to be able to produce something nice.

[addie71.livejournal.com]

That's beautiful!

[dreamflower]

Thank you!

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

That is beautiful. You make such lovely handbags. This one is perfect for winter with it's rich colours.

[dreamflower]

I was so excited when I found those fabric samples. Upholstery fabric is usually so expensive when purchased by the yard. I picked up half-a-dozen of those for less than a dollar apiece, attracted, as you said by those rich colors. Originally I was just going to cut them up to use as embellishment on different projects, but when I got them home, I realized they were the perfect size and shape to make a new purse from!

And I still have enough left in other designs to make two more purses if I want to.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Speaking of fabric . . . I have one or two pieces of velour upholstery fabric that I bought to make dolls house carpets and then changed my mind on. Would you be interested in them? (They would be a gift.)

[dreamflower]

Oh yes! My email is aelfwina at gmail dot com. Send me an email and I will send you my snailmail address. Fabric is a Good Thing!

[slightlytookish]

That is so beautiful! I love unicorns :D

[dreamflower]

So do I! I've been collecting them since 1972!

[sila-lumenn.livejournal.com]

It's beautiful, Barbara! That fabric is amazing and I love all the detail work you did.

[dreamflower]

Thanks! I was so lucky to get that fabric! And of course, the detail work was what made it fun! I love to make wearable art!

[shirebound]

That's stunning!

[dreamflower]

*blushes* Thank you! It was so much fun to make.

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

Wow... it's so pretty!! I love unicorns! Makes me wish I could make my own purses (and have the time to do so :p). A LotR one.... oh nice :D

[dreamflower]

Yes, it does take some time. But it's so much less expensive to be able to make my own stuff, as well as more satisfying to have something perfectly to my own taste, that I made myself. I mean, even if I could find something remotely similar in a store, it would cost a fortune, and it probably would not have unicorns on it!

But you won't be a student forever--one day you too, will have time!

I made my LotR purse in 2006:


But the picture's almost completely faded away now, so it's time to make a new one.

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

wow! That bag is awsome!!!!

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

That's just gorgeous!!!! So artistic looking!

[dreamflower]

Thanks! I love wearable art! It's so nice to wear something I've created to my own personal taste.

[meneleth.livejournal.com]

Um, WOW!!! That is beautiful, and the fact that it is useful as well makes it all the more amazing. I love how you used "found" yard-sale items (instead of purposely new purchased) to make it. Have you ever thought of (a) offering a class on purse-making at a local craft/fabric store, and/or (b) making purses to sell? You obviously have quite a talent for it. Even on a limited, by-order-only basis you could probably make a few bob at it. (I know I'd order one!)

[dreamflower]

Hmm...I might take a custom order. Mostly I make stuff for myself, because I want something that reflects my own interests and personality. But if a friend wanted me to make something, and gave me enough information about what she wanted I might. Problem would be, could I charge enough to make it worth my time?

I found that out when several years ago I tried to market some doll clothing I'd designed--most people didn't want to pay me what my time was worth.

[meneleth.livejournal.com]

This is true. A person would have to understand that she is not just buying a "purse", but an individual piece of wearable art, and that the cost would reflect that.

I was wondering - do you line your purses or are they just the material? I've seen them done both ways.

[dreamflower]

Oh, I line them. In fact, in this one, I put the interfacing on the lining instead of on the purse, because of the embellishment.

[i-o-r-h-a-e-l.livejournal.com]

You made it yourself? :O

Oh, may I order one? :)

[dreamflower]

Yes, I did.

I've never sold one. I'd have to think about that.

[boz4pm.livejournal.com]

Eeee! Another bag maker! This is something I've discovered this year and am getting VERY into. Am seriously considering selling stuff. ¬¬ I need to post pics (when I can get myself organised). Very nice, though! :D

[dreamflower]

Ooh! I'd love to see 'em! You should definitely post pics! Did you see my LotR purse? That one was not "from scratch" like this one and my White Tree purse were. It was just an embellished "store-bought". But I'm planning a new LotR purse!

I just love making wearable art.