Alright, so, today I’m gonna walk you through my little project – a black and blue purse. I know, sounds simple, right? But lemme tell ya, there were some bumps along the way.
It all started with this idea I had for a color combo. Black, classic, goes with everything. But I wanted a pop, something a little different. Blue seemed like the perfect contrast. Not just any blue, though – a deep, kinda electric blue. I spent ages scrolling through fabric swatches online, trying to find the right shades.
First things first, I sketched out a rough design. I’m no artist, trust me, but I needed to visualize what I was going for. I wanted something smallish, crossbody style, with maybe a flap closure. Functionality is key, ya know?
Then came the fabric. I ended up ordering some black faux leather – didn’t want to go with real leather this time. And for the blue, I found this amazing textured fabric. It had this slight sheen to it, which I thought would really catch the light. Ordered ’em online, waited what felt like forever for ’em to arrive.
When the fabrics finally showed up, I got to cutting. This is where things got a little tricky. The faux leather was kinda stiff, which made it a pain to cut accurately. I used a rotary cutter and a ruler, but still ended up with some wobbly edges. Lesson learned: invest in some sharper blades!
Next up, sewing. Now, I’m no expert sewer. I know the basics, but I definitely wouldn’t call myself a pro. I started by sewing the main body of the purse together. This part was relatively straightforward. Just straight lines, nothing too fancy.
But then came the flap. I wanted to add some of that blue fabric as an accent. So, I cut out a strip and sewed it onto the flap. This is where my machine started acting up. It kept skipping stitches, and the tension was all over the place. I spent like an hour fiddling with the settings, re-threading the needle, the whole shebang. Turns out, the faux leather was too thick for my regular needle. Switched to a heavier needle and BAM! Problem solved.
After the flap, I added the crossbody strap. I bought some pre-made strap webbing and attached it with some metal rings. Easy peasy.
Finally, the finishing touches. I added a magnetic snap closure to the flap. And then, I decided to line the inside of the purse. This was probably the most tedious part. Cutting the lining fabric, carefully pinning it in place, and then sewing it all together without any wrinkles. Ugh. But it was worth it in the end. The lining really gives it a more polished look.
- Cutting the fabric
- Sewing the main body
- Adding the blue accent flap
- Attaching the crossbody strap
- Adding the magnetic snap
- Lining the inside
The Final Result
And there you have it! My black and blue purse. It’s not perfect, by any means. There are definitely some wonky stitches and uneven edges. But hey, I made it myself! And I’m pretty proud of it. Plus, it’s exactly what I wanted – a stylish and functional crossbody bag that adds a pop of color to any outfit.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! I learned a lot during this project. And I’m already thinking about my next purse design. Maybe something with a zipper closure next time. Wish me luck!
