The finished bag front after stitching.
Positioning a felt pocket onto the fabric lining prior to stitching.
The finished bag (front)...
...and back.
A close-up of the back side...
...and one of the front...
...with a faux tortoise shell button.
The inside of the purse...
...lined with beautiful hand-dyed fabric from Kenya.
...lined with beautiful hand-dyed fabric from Kenya.
If you squint a little at the first picture...
...you'll see why I called this my "Chinese Parade Dragon" purse.
It's not because of the fiery orange color of the inner purse...
...but because it really looks like the face of a Chinese New Year parade dragon!! Grin.
After pinning and stitching the brightly-colored stripes into place...
...I fashioned a long strap from a strip of grey leather.
For the lining, I used a bit of one of my most beloved stash fabrics...
...a beautiful hand-dyed piece from Nairobi, Kenya...
...given to me by good friends who are missionaries there with Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Once the lining and straps were sewn into place...
...I made a buttonhole and stitched on a fun button to complete the bag.
17 comments:
it's just in time: the 23th of january the chinese new year starts (on my sons 37th birthday)
That purse is so completely unique! It is unique in style and in it's making process. I've never seen anything like it in fact.
A very unique and pretty design with sharpe color. I find it "alive" with the "openings". It looks like our Chinese Lion dancing with the lion mouth opening. Do you know our Chinese New Year falls on 23rd Jan, next Mon?
Riet--Happy birthday to your son!
Pumpkin--It is different, for sure! :)
Terrie--I always thought it was a dragon, not a lion, so thank you for correcting me on this! Happy New Year!
Really wonderful! I love how you are experimenting and taking chances and sharing it along the way -- no hiding. Very brave.
All quite wonderful. Thank you!
Lois--Hahaha...yes...this blog is always about making mistakes and figuring out what to do about them.
I agree with Scott Adams, who said, “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” :)
Wow!!! I like this dragon !!!
Love your chinese bag!! Do you have also the "problem" that if you don't know what to do, and just do as you go along, you get the most beautiful results? I do... so I think i'm just as unusual as you are, at least I hope I am. (grin) hugzz...peebee
Beautiful and SO unique Heather.. the leather, button and gooorgeous fabric compliment your felt perfectly.
xx
Galina--Thank you so much!! XXO-
Peebee--Yes...I believe that you are at least as unusual as I am!! Giggle. Plus, your sense of humor is better than mine! XXO-
Deborah--Thanks. I was happy with all of the little 'extras', too. (I had been wanting to do something special with that fabric for ages!) XXO-
Bellissima!!!!
Spectacular! You get more inventive with every project!
Grazyna--Thank you!
Jenn--You are sweet to say so! Really, I just bore easily!! Grin.
Rachel--Merci! :)
Oh wow Heather this is gorgeous, and topped beautifully with the inside fabric, i love it :)
karen xo
Thank you so much, Karen! I have really been enjoying using it!!
I love it -- so artsy and colorful! Good job : )
Fondly,
MaryLea
Pink and Green Mama
MaryLea--Thanks! I'm so glad you stopped by!!
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