Christmas Gifts

I had vacation days left that I took this week (Thanksgiving) and so I've been working on some Christmas gifts.

When I first started making purses/totes, I made some for friends for Christmas gifts.  That was about 7 years ago, I think.  One friend has apparently used hers - well - to death.

She made a comment one day that she was going to have to quit using it.  I'm sure it was a hint for Christmas.

So here it is!

I'm not a big orange fan, but I do love the cheerful look of this one.  I had a fat quarter bundle of 8 fabrics, I cut 4" squares and made a big piece of patchwork, then cut the tote out.  I have enough of the patchwork left to make a few small items, and I still have about half of the bundle left, to make other items at some point.

I used the twin needle for the quilting (you know I'm just a basic quilter - straight line is about the extent of what I feel good doing).  The thread I used was orange.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Custom Orders

I've had a few custom orders come from friends and other local customers the last couple of weeks.

My neighbor asked me to make another cross body hipster purse for her niece for Christmas.  I made her one earlier this year for her birthday and she loved it.


A local customer who had me make a purse for her mother in law also this summer has asked me to make her a 'winter' one - for her 90th birthday!  She loved the first one, but it's a bright print, so she said she wished she had one for winter.

I have another friend that I'm making several items for, but I can't talk about them here.....

Happy Sewing!

Susan

New Purse

A few weeks ago, we were visiting the in-laws.  My mother-in-law and I went to a local quilt shop to check out what was new.  While there, I told her to pick out a fabric and I'd make her a new purse - the one she was using, which I made, was beginning to show some wear.

So she picked this great brown and green batik - I think it was actually a complementary fabric to another I'd had - at least it was the same colors.

She mostly liked the purse I'd made her before, but she wanted to add pockets to the side with some elastic at the top of them.


Here is a side view, I also added a strap with a swivel hook (which is hidden in the pocket) so she can attach her car keys.


 It has a set in zipper top, the straps are the length she requested, and inside is has a zipper pocket and a flap pocket, with a pen slot.

I like this fabric a lot.  I bought more than I needed for her purse, so you may see some other items show up in my etsy shop!

If you would like a custom purse, I'd be glad to work with you on the style, size and features.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Perhaps - Not So Basic Black!

Yesterday I blogged about the basic black purse I made for my friend.

She has bought several of my purses in the past, and while she sews, she doesn't like to make bags, although she has done a couple.

She found a pattern and brought it to me, and then did some shopping in my 'fabric closet'. 

The purse is just basic black twill - the pattern had a flap with velcro/magnetic snap closure, but I put a zipper in the top instead.

The straps were kind of short - I know my friend like a longer strap for her shoulder, and to dress it up, I added the rectangular metal rings.

So, then the fun starts!  This isn't such a basic bag after all - those buttons are there for a reason!  The bag gets a cover that can be changed - and in this case is reversible! 

So on one side we have the bright colorful flowers and on the other side a basic black and white.

Now, think of the possibilities!

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Basic Black Purse?

A friend bought a purse pattern and asked me to make her one for the fall.

Looks pretty much like a basic black purse, doesn't it?

Well, the buttons and rectanguler rings on the handles dress it up a little bit.

The pattern was just a flap closure with a magnetic snap - I made it a zip top.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Custom Purse

I just completed a purse as a custom order - the woman is giving it to her 80-something mother-in-law for Mother's Day - so I completed it just in time!

I happened to have a purse made from this fabric combination hanging on my sewing room door the day she came over to pick her fabrics for some other items, and we discussed size, etc for the purse for her mother-in-law and this is the result!

She wanted it to have a zip top, so I took the opportunity to do it in a style I'd not done before.    I think it turned out pretty well.

I'll give her a call this evening to make arrangements for her to get her items.

I'm always open to making an item to your specifications.

Happy Sewing!

Susan