Eclectic Purses

I have had things for sale at Eclectic on Main Street in Urbana since they opened. The coop features art and crafts from dozens of local makers, including cool jewelry and bright paintings large and small. My area of the store is in the upstairs room, where I have displayed pouches and fabric baskets of various sizes. Yesterday I dropped off at Eclectic purses. I made two types of bags that can worn across the body or on the side. Some of the purses zip closed, and some snap. All have oodles of open and zipped pockets inside and on the exterior of the bags. Before my summer farmers' market dates draw close, I have time for larger projects like purses. Made from patterns by two interesting designers (Dog Under My Desk and thesterlingowl), I'm setting aside sewing time to explore how to enjoy bits of my fabric stash in the context of these medium-sized purses.

Finished Items

The five custom order purses are completed. I am most fond of the Essex linen one. Prewashed, interfaced with both woven and craft fuse layers and topped with a large red snap, the purse says summer to me. It really is a pleasure to work on longer sewing projects while the deadline of a farmers' market booth is far off. Efficiency seems less important. Yet, I'm sticking to a supplies budget which is forcing me to use bits of fabric from the bottoms of my stash piles. I hate to use things up completely, but then again, there is always a new pattern I'd like to work with. I maintain a notebook of fabrics I'll buy as soon as summer booth sales warrant. The austerity is arbitrary, but it feels good to curate a self-sufficient hobby which continues to be more play than work.

Works in Progress

With kids tucked away at school, I enjoy a lovely, sunny day of sewing. I'm working on custom orders for 5 purses. The bodies of the purses will be navy or black denim, and one will be black Essex linen, but the linings and interior pockets will be wild. Here are the open pockets and messenger bag lids ready to attach to the subdued parts of the purses. Tomorrow's task will be all about diligent interfacing and fussy ironing of solid fabrics. Today was play.