Purse-frame bag

Whilst I have heaps of bags, I felt like I needed something that was a bit more suitable for going out (smaller), that goes with more things. I have always thought that a bag with a purse frame would be cute, but I didn't have a suitable pattern, so I made it using Nicole Mallalieu's 200mm Chunky purse pattern....


I guess you can tell that I had to make a few modifications to actually get the bag to look like it does using that pattern. I had to slash and spread the pattern to make it bigger in all directions, except for the frame part. I started sewing up a trial bag before I worked on the real thing, but that has mostly been abandoned.


The fabric for this bag came from Darn Cheap Fabrics. I think it was about $15 or $16 per metre? It is a fake leather type fabric with a texture that I think is meant to be a bit like snakeskin. The fabric has a bit of stretch in it. I guess it is designed to make skirts or pants out of? I added some iron on wadding to help give the bag some structure and to remove the stretch. There is also boning added behind the straps to give extra support, and help keep the bag standing up straight and tall and not slouching into a puddle.

I love the newsprint lining - I think it adds to the vintage feel of the bag. Mostly, bought bags seem to have a dark lining, which I guess is meant to help hide the grime, but I prefer a light-coloured lining, as it helps me to be able to see inside a bag.


I used the instructions in Nikki's new book "The Better Bag Maker" to help me make the zipped pocket inside. Normally, I would be going through my pattern stash, looking for which patterns have that set of instructions, or check my notes from the zippers for bags class I attended - but now I have the book, so I can save myself heaps of time by just referring to that.

The purse also has a nice hard base and cute little round purse feet on the base. Instead of just using it to go out, it seems to have become my everyday bag.

Teacher Gifts

Please excuse me, I'm running a little behind on the blog!

I made these purses for the boys' kindergarten teachers. Actually, these were just the ones I made for Liam's kindergarten teachers. I actually made seven purses, for six teachers and a kris kringle gift for a friend in my mum's group, but this is the only photo I took.

The purse on the left is made from Ink & Spindle Wrens in inky blue, lined with the same fabric. I chose that fabric for that teacher as she said nice things about my Wren City Bag on several occassions.

The purse on the far right is made from red leather from my leather city bag for the same reasons. I was unable to find my scraps from the panel from that bag, but whilst I was hunting, I found this American Jane print that I purchased from Badskirt many years ago. The lining in that purse is the flower print from the American Jane fabric. Obviously, that kindergarten teacher's name begins with S.

The purse at the centre back is Birch, by Ink & Spindle and the one at the centre front was a remnant from Retromummy (when she had her shop), it's a cheater quilt pattern - I think a Kokka Modern Kimono? I made three more using pieces from the same fabric.

The pattern I used was Nicole Mallalieu's 90mm purse frame pattern. I have made (at least) nineteen of these now, so the pattern was well worth the investment. They make great little gifts.

3. What a lovely little Poppet

There is something about making a purse-frame purse that has always made me feel a little bit clever. This Poppet purse (from You Sew Girl) is no exception. I've made this one with all the recommended support materials, meaning it is very structured. Whilst it is quite awkward managing it around the sewing machine, it is totally worth it for the result. A cute little purse, for which the name "Poppet" is very apt.



I wouldn't recommend it for the beginner, but if you've put together a few purses, and would like to try something a little trickier, then this is something I would recommend. As usual, Nikki's pattern provides you with lots of little tricks that you can apply to other bags and purses as well.

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Cute as a Button

I've missed blogging a couple of things lately. One of them is this cute little zipper pouch that I pattern tested for Nikki. I know Noah loves little pouches to put his treasures in, so I made this for him. I really expected that he would choose the monkey fabric, but he chose the buttons instead.



This pattern is the You Sew Girl Coin Purse, which has been re-done with lots of new pictures to show the whole process and is available as a downloadable pattern, so you can get started on your purse right away.



I added this cute little aeroplane zipper pull too. Isn't it cute?

A Glamorous Mothers' Day Gift

I was recently lucky enough to pattern test one of Nikki's newest patterns. It's the Glam Purse, and I finished stitching the frame on this purse just in time for Mothers' Day, as a gift for my mum.



It's a little different to the other purses, a little more glamorous. I made it from different materials to what I normally work with, and I am quite happy with the result. I especially like the clever way that Nikki incorporated the pleats into the pattern. I think Mum might have liked the clever way that I incorporated a box of Ferrero Rocher into the purse...

My Creative Space - Sharp!

I'm working on this at the moment. The pattern is the Glam Purse, the latest pattern from Nicole Mallalieu. I must admit, it looks a bit scary right now with all those sharp pins!

What are you working on at the moment? You can find other Creative Spaces over at Kootoyoo.

Before Sew It Together

I just want to go back a couple of weeks to some things that I did, but never blogged in the mad lead up to Sew It Together. The first thing was the gifts I made for Karen, who was lovely enough to allow me to stay at her house for the SIT weekend.

I made Karen a spec case using some of the Let's Enjoy Britain fabric I bought from the Pepperberry stand at the stitches and craft show. I also made Karen a matching journal cover (with visual diary inside) using some linen, and some Let's Enjoy Britain fabric. I used this tutorial to make the journal cover. My mum also got one of these for Mother's Day. The fabric was perfect for fussy cutting Ferris wheels, Beef Eaters, buses and cups of tea.

I also set the SIT weekend as a deadline for myself, to complete the puff purse I had been planning on making, to match my Teardrop purse. I'm so pleased I did, it's so nice to have a matching set. The Laura Gunn fabric is so beautiful. I really want some of her Poppies range too.

I made the Teardrop purse (the bigger one in the photo) at Nikki's class back in November and December. During the class, Nikki helped me to add a base to the bottom of the bag, and how to some additional structure.

I used some of what I learned in Nikki's class to add additional structure to the puff purse as well.

Sew It Together - Cass' Sample Swap

I was lucky enough to participate in Cass' sample swap during the Saturday Crafting Session at Sew It Together. Just for joining in, Cass gave us all little gifts! Actually, everyone got the moleskin notebooks, even those who didn't join in the swap, how generous is that? Cass must have been very busy stitching those together. We also got lovely pencils and a pendant in a cute envelope that Cass made out of vintage books.

I made these six purses to be swapped for other items.

And this is what I received in return...

A felted fabric flower from Susan of It's the Things that Make You Go Mmmm

A Tissue Case made by Patch Andi  Perfect for this time of year. Did anyone who went to Sew It Together not come home with a cold?

Scrap Basket from Bronwyn of Whippet Good  (that blog name makes me want to sing and dance). I really like the paper doll fabric on the basket.

A pair of Anti-bags (the bags you carry when you do not wish to carry a bag) from Susie of Yarn Planner  - I love the Ikea fabric! The bags are the right size for your mobile phone or iPod and your credit card or some money, so you can carry them when out and about, without having to take your whole hand-bag. You can just clip them onto a belt-loop and away you go!

This really cute needle-case, with perfectly stitched patchwork star on the front, from Bianca of Bianca Jae Makes Stuff. I have already put mine to use - it might be a bit easier to keep away from the kids than a pincushion.

And this lovely fabric covered journal from Renae of Pink Fish, Blue Fish. Renae was kind enough to include some extra fabric and a zipper so we can make a coin purse, as well as some lovely hand cream. I love this Ink & Spindle fabric, so I am really happy with this gift.

I feel really spoilt with all these lovely gifts. It was really nice to meet all the people who made them too. Back with more later...

Six Purses

Six Purses, ready for the Sew It Together swap! I think that makes 11 of these 90mm purses I have made from Nikki's pattern now.

The one at the front is my favourite, I love the "Let's Enjoy Britain"  fabric. I got a couple of little bonus pieces thrown in from Retro Mummy when I ordered some fabric. I have some more, I might have to make another one, since I am giving this one away. Here is the other side, I had to make sure there was a ferris wheel on it somewhere!

I love  the sunny yellow lining on this purse.

This also means that I completed the "My Favourite" challenge for April - Make something lined.

My Versatile Little Barrel Purse

I finally finished the straps for this purse this morning. It's a real cutie, the pictures honestly don't do it justice. The designer is so clever!

The fabric is from a very small, free piece of Saffron Craig, that was given to me by Amy of Badskirt - never under estimate small scraps, they can still be put to use, and this was definitely a quality scrap!

I decided to turn the cuteness up a notch and add a detachable strap. Both ends can be attached together as a wristlet, or at either end of the purse (which given the size of the purse, is still, surprisingly like a wristlet) or the strap can be entirely removed and the purse can be strap free!

I tried to make the strap using scraps from the purse fabric, but my original piece of fabric wasn't very big, and it is next to impossible to turn a rouleaux strap when you have a join in the fabric. Unsatisfied with the "matchiness" of anything in my fabric stash I turned to my box of bias binding.

Nicole Mallalieu - Advanced Purseframe Workshop

I've been meaning to blog about this for a while, but Christmas and the New Year got in the way, so I'm doing it now. Back in late November and early December, I attended Nicole Mallalieu's Advanced Purse Frame Workshop. It was held over four Monday nights. As my partner had to take time off work, this meant I had four Mondays to spend shopping in Melbourne, but that's another blog post!

If you are in or near Melbourne (I'm a couple of hours away) I highly recommend you attend one (or more) of Nikki's workshops. I am hoping that Nikki is going to run the pattern making ones this year, as I would really like to have a go at that.

The class was great. The pattern I used was the Teardrop Purse, which doesn't have a base or purse feet, but with Nikki's help, mine does! I get compliments on this bag everywhere I go. I've actually stopped telling people I made it now, and just say thanks...I think the pattern and the lovely Laura Gunn Lantern Bloom fabric have quite a lot to do with it!

If you can't get to the classes, the patterns are VERY GOOD. Nikki's patterns have around 20 pages of instructions, which might sound like a lot, but it really is a lesson in a packet. Nikki covers everything you need to know in order to complete your bag or purse rather than skimming over things, assuming you know what you are doing. Nikki's patterns also include lots of tips to help you do the tricky bits. If 20 pages sounds a bit daunting to you, definitely get to a class, you will not regret it and I am sure you will come away with something you are truly happy with.

W is for Wendy

My mum is off to enjoy a week of sewing related bliss over in Perth with the Australian Sewing Guild Annual Convention. She is staying with Wendy, and wanted to give her a gift to show her appreciation.

I made Wendy a monogrammed purse. I have decorated it with some seed beads.

It was my sister-in-law's birthday on Thursday too, so I made her one as well.

The fabric is just plain, unbleached calico. I think it would be nicer in a linen blend, but the calico is quite nice. The backs of the purses were left plain. The lining is Shabby Chic that I bought from Spotlight.

The purses are made from Nicole Mallalieu's 90mm square purse frame pattern. I used a light wadding to give a little structure.

My sister-in-law was pretty happy with her purse, I wonder what Wendy thinks of hers?

Paige's Butterfly Purse

I made this purse for Paige yesterday to match her Margaret Bag.

The frame is a 90mm square purse frame and the purse is made from a Fabric Innovations screen print that I got from Spotlight.

I used the pattern from the 90mm purse kit from Nicole Mallalieu Designs.

Mothers' Day

I had a fabulous Mothers' Day. Mum and Dad were here for lunch, I cooked them roast lamb. For dinner, Maxx cooked spinach lasagne, which is one of my favourite things that he cooks. I got a lovely scented candle which I used after dinner when I had a nice bath with a glass or two of pink champagne. AND I GOT A NEW CAMERA!!! I was so spoilt.

I was up most of Saturday night (until 4am) making this beaded purse for my mum. It has over 400 seed beads that I hand stitched to the purse. The fabric was "Not Too Shabby Paisley" and lined with "Romantic Memory Rose Bouquet" which I purchased from Spotlight on Saturday. The purse is made using a 90mm purse frame and using the pattern from the kit I got from Nicole Mallalieu.

I also gave mum a voucher for the cinema. The plan was to put the voucher inside the purse, but it didn't fit. So if you want to make a purse that is big enough to put a credit card in, then you will need to go for something bigger than the 90mm purse.

I made a purse *gasp*!

Someone doesn't know it yet, but she is about to get a new purse to match her bag!

This is the 90mm purse kit from Nicole Mallalieu's site. The fabric is leftover West 22nd Modern Dot, lined with Candy Dot.

I never would have thought of making purses before I saw them on Nicole Mallalieu's website. I had no idea you could.

This is my first one. Luckily when I ordered the kit, I ordered extra bits, because I think I might be making a few of these! I am sure I will be ordering a few more of Nicole's kits in the near future, you might say I'm addicted.

Adding the frame was a little tricky, the rest was dead-easy. I wonder how long it will take me to actually make one for me?