Sewing a Handmade Leather Clutch Instead of Seat Covers.

Today I had plans to go the Edmonton Quilt Festival with a good friend, but we have to postpone it until tomorrow, so instead I'm doing some sewing. I'm should be sewing seat covers for my husband's truck.... but I just can't get into it! Instead.... I made a handmade leather clutch!

Tandy Leather has assorted lambskins with a wide assortment of colors and finishes on sale this month and I couldn't resist getting.... umm.... 9 of them. Oops! They were a good deal at 19.99 each. You can't blame me. (BTW, that does not count as fabric purchasing, although I did blow my vow to not purchase fabric last night because Pink Chalk Fabrics got their yarn died linen back in stock and I've been waiting for that for ages.)

Back on subject.  I decided I would like to give a clutch pattern away with a certain purse lock that I have ordered to be made, and that shipment should be here in a couple of weeks.  I drew up a pattern, made a mock up and then bravely cut into a nice brown piece of leather.  It's very thin, and embossed with a sort of snake skin pattern. The snake skin kind of creeps me out, because I hate snakes, but I also think it's kind of cool at the same time. I find it ironic that a lambskin would have a snake print... A lamb in snakes clothing? Is this a juxtaposition, or a paradox, or an oxymoron? Regardless, I think this leather was initially doomed to be an Italian shoe, but because of flaws or size, it can now be a little clutch with an adorable little lock!!  (This is not the lock I'm getting in stock, I really wish I had more of these little guys.)

This clutch sort of looks like the popular envelope clutches at first glance, but is actually quite different. The leather sewed together very easily with my Pfaff on the main seams and my heavy duty machine on the top stitching. It was easy to turn the leather right side out and do regular seams, because it is so thin. You could not do it with a thicker leather. I lined with some nice quilting cotton that was backed with fusible fleece (that was cut 1/2" smaller around all edges to make sure it didn't get in the seams).

I'm also playing with quilting cottons with this pattern as I know that not many can, or will want, to use leather.  I used by Annie's Soft and stable on this and it was not ideal because of wrinkles created in the exterior fabric.  Quilting it before assembly would have fixed this problem.

I am going to try it with a few other interfacing options and tweak the pattern a bit before it is released.  As of now though, I do like it because the 2 exterior pieces will fit nicely on a fat quarter and you line it with another FQ. If I went any bigger, you would have to buy more yardage and that wouldn't be ideal.

So now... I must put this aside and either clean the house, shop for flowers for my pots, walk to the park with my son and neighbourhood kids, or work on DH's seat covers. Which do you think I will do? Park!!

Thank you for reading.  Please leave a comment, I LOVE to hear from you.



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Microfiber Purse Handles: What To Do With Them and Links to Free Patterns

Recently, I purchased about 8 dozen pairs of microfiber purse handles from a lovely lady named Barbara H.  Barbara had been searching for Everything Mary purse handles that are sold at Joann's and Hancock Fabrics in the USA but aren't available to us in Canada. Everything Mary offered to sell her a box of 250 that was in a warehouse in Ontario and since she didn't need that many, she asked if I would take the excess off her hands... of course!

Barbara makes bags for friends, family, and charity auctions and has a few great ideas of what to do with microfiber purse handles.  Not only will they look good on any purse or bag, but they are also very strong and long enough to go over your shoulder - so GREAT to shop with!

Here is her method of making a tote.  It's explained quite well, but you will need some experience lining a tote so I will provide some tote pattern links below.
Barbara says:

 *  A simple square bottom large tote works beautifully with them.  I use 36” x 18” denim or corduroy.  I press on fusible interfacing (Pellon 808) to the fabric back.  
*   I line with cotton and many pockets on inside as well as 2 or more on the outside.  I square off the bottom with 6” ends for nice size that the grocery packers love because it is easy to load with groceries (stays nice and wide for them).
*  I mark the centre front and back of the bags and place the handles in either self fabric or sturdy braid loops @ 3” from either side of centre. 
*  Once all pockets and lining are in place,  I also use pieces of firm plastic (even the plastic webbing that is used for cross stitching crafts cuts easily) to cover with the lining fabric or scraps to sit in the bottom of the bag on top of the lining .  This firms up to bag to sit open for packing and keeps the lining in place as well.

Barbara also sent me some pictures of some lovely totes that have been made using some orphan quilt blocks, don't these look great!

I haven't been able to make anything with my microfiber purse handles yet... but I will soon!  I think they would work PERFECTLY on my Boyd St. Bowling Bag Pattern and I'm eager to try that.

Some free tote patterns:
Free Downloadable Bag Patterns at pursepatterns.com

These would look FAB with Lisa Lams "For Pleats Sake" Tote, just add tabs.

About the Purse Handles:
Sturdy, quality, ready-made purse handles to give your tote, purse or handbag that professional, personalized look. These look awesome, and so easy to add! These BLACK microfiber EverythingMary brand purse handles have a gorgeous braided detail where they are attached to the 1" (inside diameter) shiny nickel colour rings. They are 24" long in total, and 5/8" wide and come in a pair of 2 for $5.90 CAD. Available while stock lasts.  Get them HERE.

Friday Giveaway on Maureen Cracknell Handmade: Sewing Patterns, Fabric AND Thread!!

I'm really excited to be the featured sponsor giveaway today on one of my favourite blogs, Maureen Cracknell Handmade.

Not only is she giving away 5 of my bag patterns, but also 1 yard (of your choosing) of Glimma Canvas from Moona Fabrics and a nice sample pack of pretty Aurifil thread!

Patterns, fabric, and thread - what more do you need?
Get over there and enter!!   (Oh and have a lovely weekend too..)