Goodbye Boring Purse!

This one is my favorite.

Hello Simplicity Pattern #2676.  A few months ago, I cleaned my closet and sent some old purses to Deseret Industry. As I looked at them in the box, I was struck by the fact they all looked the same.  BORING! Same old color, same basic shape, perhaps a little snap or opening difference.  I have looked at the fun, bright, fashionable purses the girls are using these days, but thought I would not want to switch all the "stuff" from purse to purse, so thus the boring Penny purses.  I am also very particular about the inside of my purses.  They have to have separate compartments  for just keys, cell phone, wallet, chap stick,  and on and on and on.  I have even taken a purse back to the store a week later, because it did not meet my interior standards!  Lucky it was Walmart, so there were no questions.

It took me hours and hours of sewing  to do just the basic purse.  I wanted everything absolutely in the perfect space.  As the inside stays the same, and the outside is what is changed according to the color of the day.  I have had tons of compliments on my new purse-look.  The only comment on my other purses were "is this yours?" when someone moved it.  Cori had a birthday and wanted a purse.  I made hers with handles on the ends.  She puts hers over her head on the opposite shoulder.  It worked out well.  I put magnetic snaps on hers, but on mine I put a velcro closures.

I tried a ruffle.  The pattern did not have one, so I made it up.  I have had more compliments on this look than any.   Blue check is the lining.  I thought it would look good as a contrast to the paisley.  I was surprised when it worked as a purse shell with the paisley on the inside.  Just can't go wrong with these combos.

I diverted from the pattern that called for
pellon.  I wanted my purse to have
a lot of body, so I used plastic canvas
on insides of bottom and sides of purse.

I hang them behind my door for a quick
switch.  So fun!