Saturday, February 21, 2009

My New Obsession

I think it's the cold, or too much studying, but I have become obsessed with cute little handbags. And cute big handbags. And totes. They're quick to make, so you get instant gratification. They make great gifts, because they're like shoes - you really can't have too many. And, when you make your own, it's definitely one of a kind... I have a great Coach purse, but I see women carrying that exact purse on a pretty regular basis.


I can be reasonably certain that there will never be anyone else (except The Yarn Princess, because I gave it to her!) carrying this exact bag, because I made it out of three fat quarters, one of which was a discontinued line. Like it? Want to make your own?


The tutorial is a free download from You Can Make This!. It's the "Debut" handbag and it really is easy - pretty much straight-line sewing all the way through. It took about three hours, start to finish, but it was the first one I'd made, so I imagine I could do another in about two hours. Two hours and three fat quarters (and a couple of notions) and you have the perfect gift.


Oh, and the buttons? The bag cried out for matching buttons, so I found this great fabric-covered button tutorial on Craft Pudding and made my own! You can't see very well in the photo, but the buttons match the dark brown polka-dotted fabric. I am really pleased with the way the whole thing turned out - there are definitely more "Debut" handbags in my future! (And maybe in yours - I have a giveaway coming up!)


However, this post needs a disclaimer - after you make this cute little bag, you will have an inflated sense of your own abilities. This might lead to shopping at fabric stores and buying fabric and patterns (like, say, for a corded jacket with darts & buttons!) that you can't possibly manage in the time you have available. So you will then be reduced to making tote bags out of the jacket material, like so:




And your sons will call the tote hopelessly old-fashioned, and even though you've made one for yourself and for somebody else, you will question the wisdom of giving the tote to the person...


And, then, you'll say, "What the heck!" and give them the tote anyway, and they'll be happy, because, like shoes and purses, you can't have too many cute totes. And you'll be relieved, and glad you didn't listen to those silly boys. Hypothetically, I mean!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an adorable couple of bags! You amaze me, you are so quick with your sewing projects. I love seeing these, the fabrics and buttons are cute!

Jenny Carter said...

Isn't having a new obsession so much fun? Love the purses

Lisa-Maladylis said...

beautiful sewing Terri, I like the purse the best, just not pink ! bleck heheheh I have a new obsession as well and when I finally get around to making some of the resin jewelry, I will post them. Right now I've been busy buying the supplies. I'm totally obsessed !

Susie said...

Hey Terri, looks like fun! You have some cute little bags there!

Terri said...

Thank you, Mildred! But I have to confess that I deliberately choose quick projects at the moment!

Thanks, Jenny - yes, it is fun to indulge yourself a bit, isn't it?

Lisa, I'm glad to know that pink isn't your thing - now I just need to know what colors you DO like! :)

Thanks, Susie - it's keeping me occupied until I can get out and get my hands in some dirt! :)

Terri

Anonymous said...

That's neat. I'm not a hand bag kind of person, but I have crocheted a few nice purses. I'm definately not a sewing person though!

countrychicken said...

I love the bags you are making. I'm going to tell my daughters to have a look at them. I don't sew but they do - so I guess a little knitting/sewing exchange will have to take place. Quick and simple is good. Have a good rest of the weekend.

Connie said...

Boys are silly sometimes, aren't they? :D

Very cute bags, Terri. You are a talented lady.

Yarn Princess said...

HEY! That's my purse!!!! :)

Thank you again, Terri. I really do love it. For some reason it reminds me of chocolate. I'm not sure why, but it does.

And I just realized that the polka dot I got for the laptop bag is like the adult version of the polka dot in the purse. A bit darker, dots spaces farther apart and larger. LOL!

Wolfie said...

Love the little purse!! WOW!!

Great job on it!!!

I am needing a new purse and DD is addicted to purses (and shoes) so I'll have to see what I can do about making one (or more)!!!

Thanks.

WOLFIE

TC said...

I'm not sure if I should leave comments here since my wife loves to knit, or ...

Terri said...

Anna, I'm not usually a handbag sort of person, either, which is why I think this represents temporary insanity. :)

Countrychicken, the exchange sounds like a great idea!

Thanks, Daisy - and yes, boys are silly!

YP, glad you like the bag, and I love your fabrics!

Wolfie, you should definitely check it out - with your sewing skills, your bags would be fabulous!

TC, I wish I could knit! Thanks for stopping by!

TC said...

Ms. Terri: I thought you were a knitter, but I guess you're a sewer instead. Sorry about that. And thanks for adding me to your blogroll, I'm returning the favor. One other thing of interest - we have the same first name. ;~)

simple~needs said...

great job, terri!! i am loving it!!!

Terri said...

TC, I'm guessing you don't spell yours with an "i", though - right? :) You have a great blog, BTW!

Kim, you are always so sweet about my poor little efforts. Thank you! :)

Cloudberry Creations said...

I'm dropping by from The Apron Goddess' blog. Those are super cute bags....Great addiction to have! :)