If I had a daughter, this would be a good date purse

[bruce johnson]

Today seems like scrap day. I did a few little things, and then tried to make a little smaller purse than I usually do. I used to not like this flower very much. However it is growing on me. Probably because I did it over and over in a class, until I am confident I could cut it left handed and blindfolded. I am liking it a lot more now. This flower really lends itself to embossing and plugging, I did that on the last purse and it really looks sharp. I used some left over workchap scraps for the body, and split down some skirting for the handles and yokes. It measures 8x8 inches, and is pretty lightweight. I am thinking If I had a daughter, this would be a good date purse. Room enough for lipstick, a cell phone, and small handgun.

Bruce Johnson

Edited May 19, 2007 by bruce johnson

[CitizenKate]

Hmmm.... nice! Small handgun...

[bruce johnson]

Thanks Kate,

I forgot to add the 3 things I would improve on it. I would make the darts shorter. I would sew with smaller thread, this was sewn with my headstall setup - 346/277 (Iguess in a hurry, this is a prototype, new pattern). I would make sure the towel I stuffed it with for the picture was even, It kind of skews some things that really aren't.

Bruce Johnson

[Regis]

Very nice and like the way you brought the handle through the body. Would you put a holster inside or just let it lay on the bottom! [lol]

Regis

[bruce johnson]

Regis,

The slots for the handles are cut in the yoke only. The handle ends are sandwiched between the chap body and the yoke. Makes for a cleaner look inside, only the Chicago screw for the concho is visible. One thing I did on this as a trial. On my other purses done like this, there is a decent sized lump where the handle is sandwiched. With larger conchos they don't sit flat - the edges are up a little. On this purse I skived about half the thickness of the yoke from the slot down to past the post hole. With the handle in there, the lump is a lot less evident. Looks very clean inside and out.

Bruce Johnson

[The Major]

Nice Bruce. Did you line it or put any pockets inside?

[bruce johnson]

Shawn,

I didn't line it or put in pockets. Most of these chap leather purses I don't. No reason other than the big shops and sellers I am "competing" with don't. I have had some requests for linings, and then I like either goat or pig. One some of the bigger purses I put in pockets on request, but those are the customs. This little purse took me just under two hours start to finish. I tooled the yokes first, then put those under the high fan while I made up and cut the body pattern.

I do mostly custom orders, but like to have a few things made up for the "I need a gift now" customer. I think this style fits that bill pretty well. I see I could batch up and do several of these in a day. This was a scrap project and we all need those.

Bruce Johnson

[Regis]

Bruce,

Did you put a zipper in or some other kind of closure? It looks to be about 8" X 8" in size. Is that correct?

Thanks,

Regis

[bruce johnson]

Regis,

I used a magnetic catch to help keep it closed. It is about 8x8, finished. The pattern was cut over-sized for sewing and then the inverted edges were cut close to the threadline and pounded.

Bruce Johnson

Edited May 20, 2007 by bruce johnson