Friday, August 23, 2013

Two 'Dining Out' Purses With Exterior Pockets- Part 3 of 3

Cutting and sewing a narrow leather strap for each bag.

 
The completed red purse with leather buttonhole, vintage button...

 
...and yellow spiral embellishment.

 
The leather closure handily secures both the exterior pocket and the bag itself.

 
The pink purse (back side)...

 
...and front.

 
Open to reveal the exterior pocket and vintage button.

 
The 'point of insertion' of the strap is not the same on the right and left of each bag...

...but begins in the back on one side, and ends in the front on the other...

 
...and each strap is nestled in its own 'sleeve'!

 
Oftentimes, when positioning leather straps on felt bags...

...I have difficulty 'centering' them for sewing.

It occurred to me that if I created designated strap 'sleeves'...

...I could place the straps into them, prior to stitching...

...and they would be held in the perfect position!

After drying, I folded in the sleeves, along with a small margin of felt at the top of each bag...

...and top-stitched the purse, securing both the bit of loose flap and the straps.

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9 comments:

WonderWhyGal said...

I like both of them. The clasp looks very nice...and centered.

Heather Woollove said...

Andrea...thanks!

AnnieDinSpain said...

They look super!! Xx

Unknown said...

And aren't we just the smartest little bag maker of all. What a wonderful idea, having the closure secure both bag and pocket. And I think that idea of "sleeves" for the straps is great! I bet you were thinking, why didn't I think of this sooner?" Oh well, you did now, and I'm sure you will remember it for a long time to come. Great little bags too. Love em!

Mariana said...

not only pretty! super useful!! I've used the red one on vacations and held on to a lot of my stuff! INTACT STILL!

thank you!

Rachel said...

Very ingenious of you - a great solution to the problem of placement.

FeltersJourney said...

aaah the mystery is solved! :) Great idea! I can NEVER sew leather straps that neatly. Love your vintage buttons too :)
xoxo

Unknown said...

Twoje torebki są super. Uwielbiam zaglądać na Twojego bloga.

Heather Woollove said...

Thanks, all!
Mariana-I'm happy to hear that you're using it!! Smile.