Purse Frame Class and Bag of the Month

Over at CreativeBug, they're having a Bag of The Month year, with new bag classes every month. February sees my "Snap Clasp Purse" class ready to go.

 

 

I'm a bit concerned that the official image only gives a top-down view, when the purse is actually a bit more triangular than that.

 

 



 

These are a few snaps I took when I finished one of the samples. You can see that it has purse feet, magnetic snaps and d-rings in the straps. All that and a purse frame too means that there are LOADS of skills to learn in this one, along with all my tips and tricks for creating structure and a fine finish.

And if I ever get around to it, I'm going to make one with the straps on both sides. I think that would have a really natty 1940's utilitarian-glamour look...especially in a light wool or something like that. (I can never leave well-enough alone, me...)

 

 

  

 

This is the first sample I made while developing the pattern.  I think it looks cute in denim. I put an adjustable strap on it, so that I can use it hands-free. This was an easy modification, using snap hooks on the end of a long strap instead of joining the strap to the rings.

 

 

I've been watching all the classes coming up in the CreativeBug Facebook feed, and feel very inspired to make EVERYTHING. There are many free classes and for US$4.95 per month, you have access to 600+ more classes.  The free trial includes lifelong access to one class. 

 

You can see all the classes I teach on CreativeBug here.

 

 

In other great website news.  The lovely Ms Peppermint Penguin - a long-time follower and commenter on this little blog of mine, finally finished her website.  She's knitting and sewing and selling her wares. Go you, Ms Pengiun!!

 

 

Go on.... give us a kiss!

I began this pattern some time early last year, and it's finally at "testing" stage.  Watch this space - there'll be a new kid on the block soon!

Using the 200mm Chunky frame (or the similar frames with loops), it's a flirty small handbag that can stand on its own.... errr... five feet.

It can also be a wristlet... and a little bit shabby chic.

Or teamed with a silver purse chain and a modern print (like this one from Saffron Craig).



And you know what?  I didn't ask anyone what to call it.  It'll simply be the Kiss purse.

If you've never made a frame purse before, I'd suggest you start on one of the more simple purse kits and then move on to the barrel shapes. 

Alternatively, if you feel you need a bit more help, I'm going to schedule a Purse Frame Class on the 9th October. Make a booking through the website to grab a place.  I only work with groups of 6, so get in quick! 

Simple Purse Feet Tutorial

My first foray into the multi-media world of online tutorials... Here's a quick video of a technique I developed recently - how to add purse feet to a soft fabric bag.

This is a great one for those occasions where purse feet are an afterthought.... and believe me, these moments happen. I've used other methods in the past but find this one gives the best results.

Vilene S520 stabilises and flattens the soft fabric base of the bag before holes are punched through it. This ensures that the bag and the template plastic base line up without any sagging between the purse feet. It also keeps the feet evenly spaced and square.

I've used my saddlers punch in this tutorial - and you'll really need one if you're to do this trick.

And yes.. we stock all the materials you need:
Saddlers Punch - Vilene S520 - Template Plastic - Purse Feet

Make it Snappy!

I spent today in the studio - determined to finish this 300mm Snap bag....

It wasn't finished before the afternoon light began to fade - so the pictures are a little dimmer than I'd like. Ah well - I'm just so happy to have had enough time at the sewing machine to start and finish something in one sitting.

I used brown pinwale corduroy and this lovely print - I think from the Rhapsody range by Baum Windham. The frame is "antique brass" coloured, which brings out the warmth in the brown and green of the flowers in the print and tones in beautifully with the brown corduroy. I also used my lovely antique brass flat rings....

...and the new antique brass purse feet on the hard base of the bag.I like the over-all effect - it's earthy but girly at the same time. Probably a bit like me.

One thing I have to admit to... I had to read the instructions to make it!!! It's been a while since I've made one, and I made TOO MANY samples while I was developing the pattern (ironing all the kinks out of the work-flow). I remembered that there were lessons learned in the process, only I couldn't rememeber what those lessons were! It was handy to have a ready supply of the instructions to tell me what to do when and - more importantly - what NOT to do.... although I felt a little silly having to read them!!

(In hindsight I'm heartened by the memory of hearing Billy Joel saying that he once asked Bob Dylan how he remembered all the words he's written. Apparently Bob pointed to a copy of "The Complete Bob Dylan"...!!).

Supplies updates... and a materials list for the Laptop Bag

A few not-quite-on-the website items of note...
We finally found a new buckle for the MOD bag (since the one on the cover was discontinued by our suppliers the same week we released the pattern!!!). A super-shiny circular one - very MOD - with an inside measurement of 45mm. The little prong in the centre can be removed and it'll also work as a slide adjuster for an adjustable shoulder strap. CODE: BUCK01 $4.50 each.


We also now have large purse feet - which are great for the Beach Bag, the Laptop Bag and other largish bag bottoms!

We have them in Silver and Gold and the codes and price are as follows -
Pack of 6 - CODE: FEETFLG6 $4.90
Pack of 10- CODE: FEETFLG10 $7.40
Pack of 20 - CODE: FEETFLG20 $13.00
Pack of 50 - CODE: FEETFLG50 $29.65

We also have the small (flat) purse feet in ANTIQUE - same price as the other CODE: FEETFL on the website.

I've included Velcro on my new Laptop Bag (scroll down for the pattern giveaway) so thought I should supply the stuff! We have 25mm in black for $2.75 per metre. CODE: VEL25
...

MATERIALS LIST FOR THE LAPTOP BAG
Since we're now taking pre-orders for the Laptop bag (CODE: BO825 $21.95) we thought it best to throw together a quick materials list... Instead of sending out a zillion email replies as to what's needed, we're going to post it here until the website is updated.

If you'd like to place an order you can email your list (including the codes,your address and preferred payment method) to Leah, and she'll sort it all out for you (she's great like that!).

YOU WILL NEED -

• 95cm-155cm Medium-Heavy Interfacing - CODE:IFMEDH $10.50 per metre
  If you’re interfacing the lining (needed for the expandable pocket) you’ll need 150cm. If not, 1 metre will be plenty.

110cm Medium Fusible Wadding - CODE: WADD640 $11.50 per metre

7.5cm Vilene S520 CODE: IFS520 $23 per metre. The mimimum cut of Vilene S520 is 10cm but 15cm will allow you to cut four bases.

7.5 x 37cm Template Plastic (you'll need to buy a whole sheet, which is 46.5 x 30.25 - so you'll get 4 bases out of it) CODE:TEMPL - $2.75 per sheet

See the interfacings page for details of all the above materials.

2m x 50mm Polypropylene Webbing - CODE: WEBB50 - $1.60 per metre

1 x 50mm Plastic Tri-glide - CODE: PLTRI50/4 $2.75

1 x 50mm Looploc ring - CODE: PLOOP50/4 $2.15
The plastic tri-glides and looplocs are available in packs of 4 pieces. These can be substituted for the 50mm Square Flat Tri-Glide and the 50mm Flat Oblong Ring in silver – minimum pack size is 2 pieces – if preferred.

120cm Velcro (see above)

6 x large purse feet (see above)

If you are using purse feet, you may also like to order a 4mm Saddler’s punch. CODE:SADP4 $5 each. BTW - These are about to go up in price by 25% (thanks to an increase on our suppliers part..!) so now is a good time to buy!

If you don't have an 18mm bias tape maker - CODE: BIAS18 $11.20 - you might find it a wise investment once you've learned how to make flaps like the one on the Laptop Bag. (Beware - it's a bit addictive and you'll be wanting to bind everything...!).

You can't iron over webbing or velcro, so a Rajah Pressing Cloth - CODE: RAJAH $7 -is another good thing to use while you're making this bag.

Optional: you may like to also use 35cm of clear PVC – this is available at Spotlight and Lincraft stores among others…