Sewing: Oversized Envelope Clutch

I'm a huge fan of three things; color blocking, stripes, and triangles.  This is my attempt to incorporate all three things into an oversized envelope clutch.  I wanted to make an oversized clutch to accommodate my iPad along with a few other essentials (phone, keys, wallet, lip gloss).  You will also see this style clutch in my etsy shop once it's opened : )

I love this style clutch because it's extremely versatile and very fun to make I might add!  Here are a few ideas that I have for the Envelope clutch:

• Add interior pockets
• Work with leather/Suede
• Mix leather and cotton for a day to night look
• Screen printing/block printing
• Use feminine & flirty fabrics
• Color Blocking

What are some key things you look for in a clutch?

Sewing: Retro Tote

I plan on making two different looks using this same concept.  One will be with the white trim and the other one will be with a Liberty of London trim.  I can't wait to see how they'll turn out!  I'll be working on them this weekend : )

Work in Progress: Crossbody Bag

    Source

Crossbody bags have been around for forever,  but lately it seems like they are gaining momentum in the fashion world.  They're in magazine after magazine, street style photography, and it seems like online retailers have beefed up their virtual shelves with a wider selection of crossbody bags.

Now I'm not one for trends, but I find myself drawn to the good ol' crossbody bag and I think I know why.  I've been carrying around bigger bags for some time now and I'm pretty sure it has a lot to do with my kids, making sure they have snacks, drinks, diapers, and wipes.  Basically, I needed something I could fit my whole house into if need be.  But now that they are a little older (6 & 2)  they need less things and I don't need as much room in my purse as once before and it feels kind of liberating!

This is why I am really feeling the crossbody bag. It holds just what I need(and perhaps a few extra things),  I love the fact that it gives you the ability to be hands free,  and let's face it... it's just the perfect little stylish companion.

So this is the next project on my sewing table.   I've been drafting and re-drafting patterns, sewing and re-sewing and I think I'm pretty close to what I really want out of this bag.   Anywho, who do you guys feel about crossbody bags?

Secret Garden Clutch

Vintage, colorful, feminine, floral, happy, sophisticated.   It's everything I had in mind when I created this clutch.  I drafted my own pattern, added a gusset for extra room, and I learned how to put a magnetic snap in (yay!).  The magnetic snap was waaay easier than I thought it would be.  I used a couple of tutorials here and here to figure it out.  I'm very happy with the way it turned out!  There is a very subtle yet striking beauty about it.  I will totally be rocking this one at all times.


One thing I'm very interested in is learning how to style what  I've made.  I think J.Crew, Anthropologie, and Club Monaco do a really good job of styling their products so it is one of my goals to learn this skill in a very artful way.  But for now, I was just experimenting with what I already have.

After I finished making this clutch the first person I thought of was Tracee Ellis Ross.  I Love Her Style!

                                      

Lastly, there is a purse contest going on over at  A Lemon Squeezy Home from September 26-30th.   I entered this clutch in to it and I'm really thinking about making a crossbody bag for the contest as well.   I guess we'll have to wait and see... : )

Happy Sewing!

Oversized Slouchy Summer Tote

So I'm realizing that once you start sewing you're sewing for everybody else except yourself. So I had to take a pause for the cause and sew up this Summer Tote bag just for me! I usually make up my own pattern but this time I used McCall #6131. Love the colors and I will be toting this around to the pool, the beach, and I maybe even use it as a weekend bag (too bad I didn't put a zipper on it). But let's talk more about the fabric. I can't say it enough on how much I LOOOOVE this fabric! So bright and Cheery! It's by Alexander Henry and it's from the Folklorico Collection. This particular one is called Cancun Red. Take a look at the other fabrics I snatched up from this collection!

So pretty, and now they're on sale over at Sew, Mama, Sew! I guess I'll be buying more.