Sunday, October 10, 2010

I made a purse!

With the exception of hand-hemming some pants for Nathan, I haven't sewed in over 2 years. My sewing room has become extremely cluttered and my sewing machine tension adjuster is having issues and breaks thread after about 2-3 inches of stitches. I've been working to declutter and I wanted to make a purse for my friend. She loves purses and I owed her a pay-it-forward from over a year ago, plus it was her birthday.

I found an easy reversible purse pattern online. The first challenge was enlarging the pattern by hand, since I didn't want to take it to a copy shop. I measured and free-handed it on newspaper and it came out pretty accurate. It has one short handle but I left both handles the same length with a fold-down line so I can make it either way.

I picked up 3 sets of fabric. One for Michelle, one for me, and one for a Christmas gift.

This last one is satin - I found the blue pattern on the clearance rack and bought the cream one to match.

I found a workaround for my sewing machine so the thread doesn't break and instantly fell in love with sewing again. I hadn't realized how much it had caused me to detest sewing, which isn't my favorite thing, but it isn't normally a nightmare either. I was able to make the pattern, cut out the fabric, and sew the purse all within a couple of hours.

It's hard to tell from this picture but the short handle slips over the long handle, which basically holds it shut. I can't wait to make my cupcake purse!

5 comments:

Amy said...

I want to see pictures of all of them - I especially like the blue and cream pattern - it looks really elegant.

I just barely got my sewing machine fixed and picked up yesterday. I understand the frustration of sewing with a machine that doesn't work the way it is supposed to. My bobbin winder has been messed up for years and leaves loops of thread that would catch as I was sewing. UGGH! But anticipating making Joshua's quilt for Christmas, I decided to bite the bullet and pay to have it fixed. Hopefully it's as good as new. We'll find out this week!

Jaime said...

I'm so glad you're loving sewing again! Great job getting back on the horse!

Golda said...

Cute! Now I'm wanting a sewing machine so I can make lots of cute things.

Michelle said...

YAY, I love my purse! It's so sparkly and genious! Thanks so much. Your pic is way better than the one I took. :)

Moments with Shell said...

Oh I like!! Totally making one!