{Post 1,073} New Purse

If you knew me well, you would find out that I use things I like until there is just no life left in them.  My "purse" is one example.  What I was using as a purse was a glorified tote bag.  I have already recovered the handles twice.  They just wore through again.  It was much taller than I needed.  The pictures started flaking off, too.

So I went through the patterns I've taken from magazines and put into page protectors.  I came across this pattern.  It is a little too color-specific, but I'm going to carry it for a while to see if I like the pockets and size.

The best part is that I made it for free, using materials I already had on hand.  I think I'll make a brown one in the future if this one works out well.  

~Joan

Purse Makeover Complete

I have received so much inspiration and creative jump-starting through the blogs of others. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to blog myself. Above is my retired purse liner. Several asked about it. It took so long to make. I put a ruffle on it that hung down on the outside edge of the purse. I had to cut out openings (and make little ties for them) to go around the handles, hinges, and closure things. That took ages. I regretted to see it go because I really like the fabric. It has names of quilt blocks on it. The top edge was worn nearly through all 4 layers in some places, so it was time to replace it. Or so I thought.

Here's a picture of it in my purse. Ready for the makeover?

I realized that I could re-use most of the liner. I would make it a stand-up and not hang-over liner. How?? Very easily. I sliced off all of the liner below the ruffle and ties. Yick--it was grayed and worn from about 5 years of constant service. The problem was that the liner wouldn't stay up w/o help.

Cardboard to the rescue...I spied a box nearby, cut it to size, punched holes along the sides, and used twist ties to keep it together. I simply placed the cardboard between the two layers of liner and attached regular binding as if it were a quilt. Then I hand sewed a running stitch to hold the 2 layers of liner together so the cardboard wouldn't slip down (or the liner slip UP).

The finished product. Nice, huh? And it only took about an hour of work to revamp the old. Ahhh...I love it when a plan comes together. Ready for another 5 years of service!
Please be generous in sharing your tips and ideas. I love reading them.

~Joan

Another Weird Thing About Me...

...is that I'm 45 and have never habitually carried a purse. A few years ago my husband's company provided a cell phone for him. He got another for free or very little (I can't remember!) that I carried. I just put it in my pocket when I left the house. Well, it fell out a few times. WH suggested I carry a purse. WHAT?? I've never carried purses.



Here's my solution... This is a Henn Workshop basket (it looks a lot like a Longaberger). I made a liner out of fabric that has quilt names on it. Even put a pretty ruffle at the top that came out over the edge. But it has finally has met its demise. Some of the places on the top had worn holes through the fabric. The purse is in my husband's workshop in the pic. I sanded it down this AM and restained it. I would have been embarrassed to show it before. After it dries, I'll put a coat of matte polyurethane on it to seal it. I am going to make a liner again. I'm planning to cover cardboard with fabric and just set it down in the purse. I wouldn't go to the trouble of making one at all except that small things slip through the woven pieces on the sides. This has a handle that is behind that you can't see. The screwdriver stuck in the right side is keeping the top from sticking to the bottom as it dries.


While I'm glad enough to be finally giving my dear basket the makeover it deserves, the really exciting thing will be revealed in my next post. Here's a hint...it has something to do with a new ironing board.


Seek, and ye shall find!


Tune in at "Keeping You in Stitches" tomorrow. The excitement is so palpable that it can be sliced with a rotary cutter!!



~Joan