I’ve finished my second purse! It was much more complex than my first, and there was a lot of hand stitching involved.
(I’m lovin’ those Deco Remix shoes.)
I used Indygo Junction’s “Metropolitan” pattern, from purlsoho.com (scroll down a bit – it’s halfway down the page).
It may not be perfect, but I’m really pleased with the finished project!
Both are looking better than my first sorry attempt. The one on the left is for my sister (we worked on it together), and the one one the right is mine.
In the interest of learning how to make non-floppy purses and other goods, I’ve been doing a bit of reading. I’ve been making my way through the archives of the blogs you’ve all suggested (thank you!), and I bought a few books.
Amy Karol’s Bend-the-Rules Sewing
And of course, there are flickr groups for each of them.
I haven’t made anything yet, my favorite of the bunch so far is Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol (of Angry Chicken fame). It seems perfect for someone like me that’s just getting started.
I also ordered a handful of patterns (maybe six or seven?) for purses and skirts. Yes, I want to eventually make skirts too. I’m most excited about the Bag Pattern from the Curiosity Shoppe.
Cute! Six different styles, and I think I might actually be able to make most of them.
I may have gone a little overboard, eh? Such is my personality. When I decide I want to do something, I throw myself into it full force. Sewing, you’re on notice. I will master you. And then I will slipcover an ugly old bench.
For those of you that are of the bookish persuasion, I set up a little bookshop here on the site. Check it out, will you? The sewing books are there, and I’ve added a few of my other favorites under the different categories.
I also added a link on the far right sidebar – just look for the little stack of books. I’ll be adding new titles to the bookshop now and then, so feel free to check back every so often.
That’s the Simone Bench, which can be custom upholstered and is on sale at Ballard Designs for $200. I’d love the bench with Rose Checker fabric by Hable Construction. Alternately, I would also looooove the following:
Sky Collection: Pie in the Sky, from Vanessa Arbuthnott
Sigh. That fabric is gorgeous.
Brandon likes to remind me that we already have a bench though. It was in the basement.
You like that wrinkly rug? That was in the basement too.
Eh. The only thing I like about that bench is the fact that it’s a bench (and can therefore add some much needed seating in our living room). I don’t like the legs, I don’t like the color, and I don’t like the overall shape.
Still, in the spirit of frugality, I may try to make it work. With spray painted legs and new fabric, maybe the bench could be cute? Possibly with some Amy Butler polka dot fabric?
I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try. It would only cost $15 or so. Then when it looks horrible, it will be easier to convince Brandon that we need the pretty one instead. Or you know, maybe I’ll actually like it. ;)
I made a purse. It didn’t turn out quite like I had hoped.
I bought a pattern, per Lili’s suggestion. I hesitate to link to the one that I bought because I don’t think it’s the pattern’s fault, but I went with the “one for all shoulder bag” from Betsy Ross. (Sorry to not do your pattern justice Betsy Ross – it was my first attempt at making something other than curtains.)
I didn’t want to potentially waste any of my ‘good’ fabric, so I used an old duvet cover from IKEA and a sheet I picked up at the thrift store for $1. The whole project took a few hours, and really wasn’t too hard. The purse is even sort of cute…
The pattern didn’t call for any lining, but it did say that thick fabrics are better. Maybe that’s why my purse is so floppy? I did try to get fancy though with a lining (thinking it would add the requisite thickness) and pockets. The pocket I created specifically for my cell phone, by the way, is too small.
Oh, I also added interfacing to the gusset (the bottom/middle part) of the bag. I thought it would give a little extra support.
It didn’t.
Hello, big floppy mess!
Why does it look like that? What should I have done differently? I was having so much fun making it, but now I don’t think I’ll even use it. It makes me a little sad.
I want to try again, but I’m worried about getting the same results. Any ideas on what I did wrong?
Yep. I’ve been sick, and I wasn’t able to do much with the guest room. Brandon and I did get all of the junk out that had accumulated in there, so at least it will be clean. The daybed will be delivered tomorrow, which is when Lili will be arriving. She will have a place to sleep, hurrah!
Even though the room won’t be finished in time for our first guest, I’m still thinking about how to decorate it. I haven’t picked a paint color yet, but I think I’d like to go with either a light creamy beige or a silvery gray color. I need to find curtains before I decide.
I like the scroll flocked curtains from west elm. Nice, right?
I’m also pretty keen on the Lumimarja Natural fabric from Marimekko. Swoon.
At first I thought the Marimekko fabric was too spendy, but I just realized that it would be about the same price as the west elm curtains. Hmmm.
Oh, and I also bought a little side table from Target.
Back to fabric… I’m thinking more and more about plunking down the money for the Marimekko design. Any other suggestions before I purchase? I’d like there to be a bit of orange in the pattern.
