Purse With Integrated Handles

 

 

 

 

I've been pondering purse straps for some time now...

...trying to figure out a relatively painless way of making strong ones.

For this project, I decided to play with several things all at once...

...often, a recipe for disaster! :)

I used the book Mit Kindern filzen...

...for inspiration on how to shape the resist and where to cut the strap pieces.

(Thanks,Nicola, for the great book tip!)

I also wanted to continue to fiddle around with pre-felts...

...and also to try out some unusual non-wool inclusions.

I made a resist and used it as a pattern to cut out the front and back sides...

...piecing a top and bottom for each, using wool yarn and a tapestry needle.

I cut holes randomly in the pre-felt...

...and sandwiched a piece of synthetic fabric, netting or lace...

...between the hole and a second piece of pre-felt...

...stitching each little 'package' together with more wool yarn.

I added more layers of wool to each side...

...and felted it as usual, cutting strap lines, but leaving both flaps intact.

One flap was sewn down inside the finished bag to make a 'secret pocket'...

...and one became the outer bag flap.

I sewed the purse strap...

...by folding it in half and sewing it along the edge with my sewing machine.

I made a self-same button out of a scrap of pocket wool...

...and used a magnetic clasp for a strong closure.

I'm really happy with the way the cotton lace shrank and thickened.

Note: If you use vegetable bag netting, use caution with your steam iron...the plastic will melt!!

I also like the way the two synthetic pieces bunched up while felting...

...while still showing their bejeweled nature!!

The wool yarn became one with the felt pieces...

...something that I had anticipated, but which still pleased me inordinately!! :)