Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Purse and Bowl

Hi everybody!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a week or so, but I've been out of town all weekend, at a quilt retreat, then had board meetings and guild meetings to go to. But here's what I did at the retreat, took a class where we made a purse:


My favorite colors, forest green and browns, with some gold lamé and gold ribbon trim to dress it up. I started with the lamé square in the middle of my solid green canvas, then added strips like a log cabin block. Some of the trim wouldn't curve too well, so it ended up on the seam lines, and the thinner cording and ribbon I couched on, with invisible thread.

Our guild president has a nice embroidery machine, and she offered to do our names on a strip of fabric. I couldn't resist, and had her do my screen/website name instead, and it turned out so nice, I decided to put it on the outside pocket of the purse instead of the inside, like everyone else was doing. I've had too much roll out of my purse and get lost esp. when I pitch it in my work locker or on the front seat of my car, so I put in lots of zippers. My purse ended up not looking a thing like everyone elses... :)



I lined it with brown ferny print, and made two interior pockets with green prints, one a patch pocket, the other a zippered pocket. The thing you see on the right is a zippered can holder - I often pack a can of something to meetings, or bottle of water. It's a separating zipper, so I can zip the top off, and it'll fit a taller waterbottle.


The two rings you see inside the purse are two thick covered hair elastics. I'll use them to hold the can against the side of the purse or, when I'm not carrying a can, I can clip my keys inside. There's two D-rings on the top corner of the purse, so I can change straps. Right now, I'm using a black webbing strap, but I might make a green canvas one to match the purse.


And last, my first attempt at a fabric bowl - if you recognize the fabric, it matches the stuff I used for mom's table-runner and napkins. This went together a LOT quicker than I thought. Then, knowing how I hate to waste ANYthing, I took the pie shaped wedges I cut out of the bowl sides and made a coaster. :)

Did a LOT of quilting on my Liberty and Justice quilt too - I've got the inside finished, and now I'm trying to see how much of the pledge of allegiance I can write in script around the border. The binding's cut already, so hopefully you'll see a 'done done' picture of it soon!

Now, off to visit all of you!

17 comments:

quiltpixie said...

your purse is wonderful! sounds like lots of pockets and "personalized bits" to make it truly useful :-) And the fabric bowel turned out well. I've only made boxes, but I understand the process is very similar.... now you'll just need to cut some more scraps to fill the bowl???? :-)

Jeanne said...

Oh, the purse is GREAT! Soooo much detail work!!!

Jeanne

Darcie said...

Your bowl is lovely, Jane...but that purse! That purse is just terrific!!! (I have a real love for purses/bags!) I love all of the details and personalization and zippers and hairband thingies! Genius!!! The can cozy is adorable too. These would make beautiful gifts for special ladies and girls. Such talent! Thanks for sharing!

In answer to your question on my blog regarding the fabric strips...I just grab *whatever.* No rhyme or reason! It's more mindless for me to make the rugs scrappy. And it's so fun to remember back to using some of the strips in quilts,etc.

Laurie Ann said...

Love that purse. So cool!!!

Laura said...

Great bowl, and the purse is fabulous! Love all the couching you did and your name on it is so much fun, glad you had a good time at the retreat.

Samantha said...

The bag and bowl look great! Watch out- the bowls can get addictive...

Hanne said...

What a lovely purse ! The bottle cover is very smart. I might make myself one of those. The bowl is cute.

Silverthimble said...

I love your purse and can cover! Is this a commercial pattern?

Bonnie said...

Your purse is pretty - and practical all in one. How smart. And I especially love the can holder. Is there a pattern? I'm always throwing a can of Diet Coke in my purse and would love to have a can holder.
The fabric bowl is so pretty. It will look great of that table runner.

Linda C said...

Sounds like you had a good time while you were away--lots of quilting and purses and bowls on top of everything. Make that a personalized purse--names and everything in its place!
Good to have you back, Jane.

Passionate Quilter said...

great job on that purse! You had lots of nice little details to make it very useful. I love that can cover too--did you make that up?

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh your purse is wonderful! And I LOVE the zippered can holder thing! What a PERFECT idea! Never thought of doing that!

The Calico Cat said...

cool bag - I love the can holder!

Laurie said...

Great purse adn bowl! I guess we can excuse you for being gone since it was all quilt related! LOL
hugs
laurie

KC Quilter said...

Wowie wow wow, I love your new purse!!! So gorgeous and so practical too!

Finn said...

Hi Jane, long time no see, good to see your post again!! I love your purse and how individual you have made it. Doing things the way that works for you...now that is smart!! I really like your can or botton idea too.
Your fabric bowl looks so different from others I've seen, wonder if there are more than one set of dirctions...hmmmm? Have a great 4th weekend..*VBS*

Lily Mulholland said...

Holy dooley Jane! You have been one busy woman. Love the purse. LOL at first I thought oh my goodness she's fitted so much into that purse, when I realised you call a purse what we in Australia call a handbag!! What we call a purse is what you call a wallet. Silly me. I love the colours you chose too, especially that bronze. Gorgeous.

Cute fabric bowl too. So where's the picture of the coasters?

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