~clutch purse~

I wanted to make a cool "going out" purse
for my friend, Jolie's, birthday.

I started with this t-shirt.
I ordered it for free from www.vistaprint.com
and only had to pay for the shipping.
I was able to pick from a bunch of designs
and put my own text on it.
I decided to put a bunch of words on
it that I felt were positive affirmations to take
her into her next 40 years.

I got the inspiration for the shape of the
purse from a gift bag I received at Christmas.

This is what I came up with.

Although the purse zips up, I thought
it would be cute to fold the top over and fasten
with a little flap. Decorating the flap is an
old vintage button that was actually Jolie's
husband's Grandma's (did you get that?).
The top can either be folded over neatly to one side
or bunched down and fastened.
I think it looks cuter bunched down.

I lined it with plain black fabric and used a
black/white animal print for the sides, strap and piping.
It's been awhile since I've made a purse and it took
me a few minutes of pinning and thinking hard
about what steps have to be done first.
You basically have to start with the details and
do them first....i.e. zipper, pockets, piping, flap, etc.
The last thing you do is construct the bag
and sew it together.
This is total backwards thinking for my brain.
I usually start a project with the basic construction
and add details last.

Here is the inside.
Just big enough to throw in a few "essential" items.

I intended this to be a "going out" purse but
I think it may be too flimsy for that.
By flimsy I don't mean poorly constructed,
it's sewn very well and it's not going to fall apart.
I mean that it doesn't hold it's shape
well once you put too much weight in it.
I only did a heavy interfacing on the bottom,
I should have done it on the main
body of the purse as well to give it
a stronger shape.

It may end up being a little travel bag
for jewelry or make-up.
Whatever she uses it for, I know she's going to love it.

Truth be told,
I want to keep it for myself.