Day 15- Just Gotta Have Another Leather Bag

3/11/14

There are so many beautiful pieces of leather in my newly organized stack of materials. So far for Create30 I haven't used much leather, so decided to sort through and chose one of my favorites: a taupe piece that is very textural and has a variegated dark/light finish. I paired it with a piece of light grey Ultrasuede and planned to make a small tote bag, but the piece ended up working well as a foldover clutch.

I cut the Ultrasuede to be the base of the bag using pinking shears and made a scalloped edge. After several attempts to sew along the edge I conceded that it was never going to come out even, and opted to stitch a straight line across the Ultrasuede.

I inserted an ivory metal zipper with gold teeth towards the top of the front of the bag. The zipper was actually missing the pull, so I was happy for the opportunity to make my own from the Ultrasuede.

After inserting the zipper I stitched a piece of Ultrasuede across the top of the bag to close it, and use a small piece to make a tie for the zipper pull. I attached it with a large gold jump ring.

Foldover clutch, Leather, Ultrasuede

The finished piece ends up hiding the scalloped edge when folded over but I don't mind, it's a sweet little surprise when you unfold the bag.

I need to start planning my bags and clutches out ahead of time because the zippers and linings need to be put in first. During Create30 I find myself mostly designing as I go, responding to what works and going with it, so the practical aspects tend to get pushed to the end and do not come out as well. I'll definitely attempt a more well planned approach for my next handbag.

xo,
Arielle

PS- This item is now available for sale in my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalkinAccessories