The Classic Clutch

Hi Everyone –

I’m just finishing up the very last of the market preparations.  I’m putting the binding on the last quilt and I am packing my suitcase.  Luckily that last quilt is just a runner, so it should be done shortly.

The pattern is from the Living Large 2 book that I just previewed and the fabric is another sneak peek at Whimsy.  For any shop owners reading this, the line will preview at market.  You can swing by my booth to see lots of quilts done with the line or to see a Henry Glass rep about ordering.  For the rest of you, I will keep you posted on when it arrives in shops – probably the end of June.

Before I forget, the winners of the Living Large 2 book from the last two posts are:

Jenny Michael and Sandi ~ Call me Crazy.  Please e-mail your shipping addresses to: hmulder@wecnet.com

I have one last preview that I want to get in before I leave for market.  It’s called The Classic Clutch.

I started thinking about clutches in the first place because I was having issues with my large purse.  I use a really large purse because I always want to have a hand-work or knitting project with me at ALL times.  This is how large my purse is –

The problem with having this large of a purse is sometimes I just don’t feel like dragging it with on every errand.  When I am just running into a store for a gallon or milk or a quick trip into the post office, I don’t need the whole thing with me.  I wanted a smaller purse that would fit inside my big purse, that would just hold the necessities.  That way I could grab just that when I ran into the store. 

The first little purse I tried was one of these wallets:

There are everywhere in the stores.  I know many people who have them, so they must be popular.  I didn’t last long with this one, as the clasp never stayed shut.  I decided I needed to make my own because I needed it to be slightly larger – with handles, pockets, and personalized with a cute-large scale fabric.  Something practical, yet cute.  After lots of demos, here is what I’ve come up with:

Inside is a divider that holds the cards I use on a regular basis.  Behind the divider, you can store some cash (not shown).  There is also room for a checkbook and lipstick.  The back pocket holds your keys and cell phone.

I also made a larger size.  I put longer handles on this one so I can throw it over my shoulders for hands-free shopping.  This one still fits inside my regular purse, so I can pull it out for those quick trips.  I will also use this one for an all day shopping trip, as that large purse causes my shoulders to get sore if I use it for a full day.  By the way, you can make both size handles and just switch them out as needed.  I found the little clips at the hardware store for $1.50, so it’s quite inexpensive to make both.

The view from the back side shows the optional zipper pocket (for your cell phone or whatever).  I love the way the zipper cuts through this large print.  By the way, don’t be scared of the zipper.  It’s SO much easier than you think!

(Please excuse the questionable photos.  Joel and I had a good laugh over him trying to be a purse photographer and me trying to be a model!)

Mom and I have made up several color options so far, including another one using fabrics by Valori Wells (the last two were her fabrics as well).

I made this one to match the afore mentioned purse, using my Artful Home fabric.

I also thought I needed a basic black one.  (This is an early demo model, so a few things have been tweaked, including how to reduce the wear-and-tear shown in the area over the magnetic clasp.)

The construction is quick and easy, so they will go together in an evening.  They also make perfect gifts for girlfriends and family members.  The instructions are detailed and full of photos, so that also helps with the construction.  I have struggled in the past with instructions for things other than quilts, so I knew I wanted to include really detailed instructions.  When I look at a quilt, I can often see how it is put together.  When I look at a purse, I have no idea where to begin.  Many patterns just describe how to put the item together, but text can be interpreted in so many ways.  Having photo instructions leaves a lot less room for questions, and hopefully, a more successful outcome.

The patterns started shipping last week, so they should be out and about.  In the meantime, we will continue the tradition and give away a copy to one of the commenters.  I’ll announce the winner after quilt market.