Blue Cut Velvet Boho Bag

I apologize for yet another bag post. But honestly, its been so long since I've spent any quality time in the sewing room, I got a little carried away. :-)For this bag I used one of my favorite cut velvets. Its a gorgeous blue design on a shimmery beige ground. Although still an upholstery fabric, this one is a little more supple and probably dates a little older than some of the other cut velvets that I've been using. It, too, goes well with the corduroy and I've outfitted it with the same features (interior zip pocket, magnetic snap closure, and long cross-body strap). With the left over pieces, I made a small matching zip pouch. This bag is available on Etsy.

Lime Vintage Cut Velvet Boho Bag

The next bag to come out of the sewing room is this boho gypsy style hip bag. It sports a vibrant lime green vintage cut velvet upholstery fabric paired with corduroy. A long strap can be worn across the body to hit comfortably at the hip or knotted to create a shorted shoulder strap. This design is slightly different that the previous champagne velvet with the addition of corduroy at the bottom of the bag. Although it was out of necessity, because of the size of the green remnant, I think I like it even better! :-)This one also has a magnetic snap closure and interior zipper pocket. I'm lovin the size of this bag and already picking out fabric to make one of my very own. :-)

This bag is available on Etsy.

Champagne Cut Velvet Bags

I've been in the sewing room making some more bags. My focus this week was a lovely shimmery champagne colored vintage cut velvet. I've been wanting to make a larger shoulder bag and this upholstery fabric was perfect for it. I paired the velvet with a tan corduroy and added a long shoulder strap that can be worn across the body. A magnetic snap and interior zippered pocket will keep items secure.

I also had enough fabric left over to create a matching foldover clutch. I love the simple design and think it would be right at home with jeans as well as a fancier evening out. Both of these bags are available for a limited time on the website with free US shipping before being added to the Etsy Shop. I have a couple more of the larger bags almost completed and will share those soon.

Has cooler weather inspired more activity in your sewing room, too? :-)

Vintage Floral Velvets for Fall

Vintage printed velvets from the 1970's become new zip pouches. They are in pretty fall colors and have fun poppy and daisy floral designs. Available on Etsy and the website... more coming soon. :-)

New Vintage Velvets for Fall

I was thrilled to be able to buy more of these wonderful vintage cut velvet or sculpted velvet upholstery fabrics a couple of weeks ago. They are from the same local estate that the others came from. A talented woman, who did freelance upholstery work for years, had acquired many, many lovely fabrics. Her daughter has been working to clear the house and fabrics and was so sweet to contact me again. Some are large pieces cut from bolts, and others are swatch size pieces, which are great for wristlets and pouches, and many have multiple colorways.

There are cut velvets ( or raised velvets, sculpted chenilles, not sure of the correct term)...

printed velvets...

And my favorite, the multi colored floral velvets! Here are just a few...


I have 2-3 large bins filled with these types velvets as well as other damasks, brocades, and

matelasse. Needless to say, I've been busy sorting and hand washing these beautiful textiles and creating new wristlet and bag designs for the fall and winter seasons.

Have a great week and happy sewing, everyone!

What I've Been Sewing~ Clutch Handbags

Just a quick post about what I've been making in the sewing room. Its sunny and headed to 56 degrees here in Ohio, so I need to get outside for awhile. :-)

As winter is drawing to a close (yea!), I wanted to design one last grouping of bags out of the pretty vintage cut velvet chenille upholstery fabrics in my stash.

I thought a simple clutch design would be nice for day or evening. And the bright colors and touches of linen should make these work even into spring.

Love the bit of pink and aqua that's in this green fabric.A magnetic snap closure and interior zippered pocket in this design keeps items secure. My favorite cerulean blue makes an appearance again.

Now that these are finished, I can start on some ideas I have for fun and very colorful spring and summer bags! :-)

Happy sewing!

Tailored Boho Chic Bag

This is the newest Boho Chic bag to come out of the sewing room. You may remember from this post the thought process that went into designing this bag. I wanted to incorporate the best of two worlds...Bohemian chic, with its generous size, richly textured vintage fabrics and saturated colors and Tailored Classic, highlighted by my love of linen and a more structured, clean line construction.
I've also included an interior zippered pocket on this one.
And a pretty velvet rose to accent the front.

This project is also part of The Twice Remembered Cottage "Make Your Monday" link event. Click the link above to see all the fun things bloggers are making this week.

I also wanted to pass along to the fans of Anna Maria Horner fabrics (gorgeous!) that Fabric.com has her Drawing Room line on sale right now for a great price! (Update- It looks like its all sold now. I hope you were able to get a yard or two.) Even though I already have a cupboard full of her fabric, I couldn't resist getting a few more yards. :-)

Latest Dogwood Branch Tote

Just a quick post to share my lastest project... another dogwood branch applique tote bag. This time I've used gorgeous fabrics designed by Patricia Bravo of Art Gallery Fabrics along with linen and a pretty pink and green dogwood print put out by FreeSpirit. Enjoy the long weekend, everyone!

A New Dogwood Tote and Its All MINE

Inspired by our Dogwood tree that finally bloomed (after having planted it 8 years ago) , I whipped up a new bag. I really like it, so this one is all mine. LOL

One side is a combination of two beautiful fabrics from Anna Maria Horner and on the other I've done a "rough" applique of a dogwood branch.
I'm also trying out my little rivot thingies. I've used them more as a decoration on this bag, but it will still give me an idea of how they'll hold up under daily use.
I like the look. :)Have a great weekend, everyone! And Happy sewing!

Treasures From Grandma's Attic ~ Vintage purses

This is the third installment of the series "Treasures From Grandma's Attic", in which I share the eclectic collection of items that I've inherited from my gram.

Today we have bags and purses. The first is a faux pony hide travel bag with patent leather trim. It even has a pocket for an umbrella! Love this one!

Next we have a couple of white sequin evening clutches...very elegant.

Not sure when I would go anywhere fancy enough to use them, though...I don't get to too many cocktail parties or formal dances anymore. LOL

I also have a sweet little tapestry purse. It has a small strip of fabric on the back to slip your hand through.

And this classy black handbag had a fun little surprise inside...

A small bottle of perfume and an Evening in Paris lipstick (bright red, of course.)The last purse I have to share just seems to scream SPRING.

Its a sweet little basket weave purse of pink velvet ribbon and accented with millinery flowers.A few of the raffia pieces are broken, but its still an adorable display item. :)

There are some wonderful vintage bags on Etsy! I really like this one... and this one is cute, too.