Have you made a purse or tote for yourself to use?
By cotruelove
@cotruelove (1016)
Denver, Colorado
September 5, 2012 7:02pm CST
I went today and bought a pattern and fabric to make a purse or tote for myself. I have fabric for it already, but like usual I found other fabric I loved also. I have posted a picture of the one I saw in my photos. With the price of purses, fabric or any other type of material, I can do just as well myself as purchasing a pre-made purse of questionable construction. What I like is the idea of a unique design of my own making by using fabrics of my choice and not just another pre-made one where I accept someone's choices other than mine. There are lots of things from which a purse can be made. Plastic canvas is another type of construction. Have you ever made a purse or tote for yourself? What materials did you use to construct it?
2 people like this
17 responses
@Pale_moon (98)
•
6 Sep 12
That's a high-end skill to me.When I was young I have ever tried made some crafts but all failed.I agreed that I not the element to make some crafts.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. I really don't know anyone who can't make things. I do know it took a lot of practice for me before I found I could. Don't get discouraged and perhaps one day, you will experience success.
@marguicha (223128)
• Chile
6 Sep 12
I made a very nice bag for myself with the technique of macrame. I used it a long time and it could be washed at the washing machine. I made it big enough as to be able to use it to go to the beach and put some beach stuff there. It got lost in a closet for several years until a couple of years ago my granddaughter discovered and claimed it for herself
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
6 Sep 12
Don't you just love grand children? They will claim anything they think is interesting or usable by them. I've done a lot of macrame in the past but all my creativeness was directed at plant hangers. Perhaps you can do more in the future and see if your granddaughter claims the next one too. Thanks for your response! 
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
13 Sep 12
Well I do a lot of crocheting and have made purses and bags before and have sold them and even have some already made up. I have considered keeping one for myself, but so far have not. I do think for travel bags they would be OK.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks friend for your response. I'm considering selling some of my things on ebay but just haven't taken the time or made the effort to get it together yet. I love to crochet, among other things I do. Unfortunately, I never find enough time to do everything I love to do. I know I never suffer from boredom because I have just way too many interests and I can always find something to do. I've made money also from my crocheting.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
7 Sep 12
I prefer choosing my own fabric too. I am a quilter and they sell the pre cut patterns etc, but without seeing them for real.. I just don't want to take the chance of them not looking as good in person as they do online. Good chance the colors will be different. I made totes for my 2 grand daughters out of a regular McCalls purse pattern and their favorite fabric... one was tinkerbell and the other was dolphins. They both love the totes.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks friend for your response. I know you and I are quilters and it will probably always be our first choice as the means to make a project like a purse. The one I'm making I actually saw and I know I can re-create it in some fabrics I like and also in the ones I saw exhibited. There really are tons of patterns for purses, both free and for sale. Glad we can share our ideas on here and get each others opinions. 
@jugsjugs (12967)
•
18 Sep 12
When I was younger, I made egg cosys, tea cosys all to match made to look like a chicken, I sold loads of them, also I made sewing needle cases and they were also a great seller.I had loads of people that put orders in for them and I was so happy.Also made dog blankets and cat blankets for a lady in the village out of wool and she would buy them from me and give them to animal shelters.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. Wow, I'm impressed with all the dedication you had for using your handcrafts to make money. I know the older I get the more handcrafts I do. I know I need to design a remote control holder and make it up just for myself. Tired of that Tivo control (I call it a peanut) which keeps slipping around everywhere and landing on the floor. Thanks for reminding me I need to fix it.
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
6 Sep 12
Hi contruelove, yes i already made a handbags, purse and laundry bags for myself and for my niece. I love making personalized things like bags and purse especially nowadays there's lots of brand of bags with the same design. I love making a unique and colorful bags. Most of the time i used velvet cloth for my purse and put some different designs, buttons or patches to make look fashionable.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Wow, you are braver than I am. I'm not good at using velvet for anything since it is so expensive and usually water spots if it is quality fabric. I have used some polyester substitute that looks like velvet for different projects because it is more affordable. Embellishments are always fun in any project. Thanks for your response.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
6 Sep 12
I have made a few tote bags for carrying my books and things, mostly because I wanted a specific size. I used quilting cotton and did a patchwork effect. It was fun and I find it handy to have the right size bag.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. Like you I've always found it nice to have the right sized bag for whatever I'm doing.
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
6 Sep 12
Actually I used to make them, before they were stylish. My first mother in law made me one that had a pocket on the outside that was a quilt block. They are so easy and fun to have.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. I agree it is fun. Sounds like with a combined effort you were successful and must have been a great bonding time.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. I love doing bead work when I have the time. Sounds like a fun idea and a well loved one to create a cell phone pouch.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
6 Sep 12
ive made one out of denim before yrs ago. but these days the kids often gift me with ones i like and they usually last me for 2 to 3 years so i still have plenty i like.@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for the response. Well, I have a BAD habit of using only one purse until the handles fall off or it just gets too worn. I guess I've never been very fashion conscious. At least you know you have options to carrying the same bag all the time.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Sep 12
I've actually never made my own purse, but I do remember when I was a young teenager, one of my aunts loved to make purses to give to her nieces for Christmas and I had several of the quilted purses that she made that I used over the course of many years. The purses that she made were quilted purses that are very similar to the Vera Bradley purses that are popular today. I loved the purses that she gave to me because the fabrics that she chose to use for the purses were something that was very representative of me.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. The idea behind hand-made purses is to make them a representation of yourself or of the person to whom they are given. Like you I love being able to chose my own fabrics and make them to represent me. Since I don't purchase many purses I'm not familiar with the designer you mentioned, but I think I'll check it out. Hope one day you try making your own.
@ntoro77 (1)
• United States
6 Sep 12
Has anyone checked out Pinterest for bag patterns? I'm sure everyone has an account by now lol. I actually just found a really cute no-sew pattern and it was really easy to do. I already had a yard of pretty sturdy fabric and all I needed was colored duct tape and a stapler. It turned out really nice but I gave it to a friend as a gift so no pictures :( I'll try to find the link again if I can and share :)
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. I've not looked into "no-sew" patterns because obviously, I can sew, but it does sound interesting. Hope your friend appreciates your effort.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
6 Sep 12
I made quite a lot of bags which I sold as Bible Bags for a charity I support. The best material was curtain material or tablecloth material because sometimes they had a plastic type of lining which kept the contents of the bags dry. They were the size of the average Bible but I used mine for all sorts of things because it was small and I could roll it up and put it in my handbag. I bought all my material at jumble sales or charity shops and because I was doing it for charity people also gave me material.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for the response. Sounds like a great idea and a wonderful way to support a charity. I love recycling fabric that was designed for one purpose and is now able to be used for another.
@mrsroxas (78)
• Philippines
6 Sep 12
Yes! I made a few for myself and also some that I sold to my friends when I was in college. I loved making stuffs for myself and aside from enjoying creating them you can also earn money from things that you love to do.
For the purse, I used old clothes that have beautiful patterns and designs and used polyester fiber as filler. Then zipper or buttons for the opening. For the bags, I used plain canvas and just painted it with anything I feel like painting. And that's it, just simple and cheap. :)
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. Sounds like fun and profitable. I've done a lot of handcrafts over the years to earn a few dollars. Unfortunately, I'm not able to paint designs because of a disability but I love when someone else can. With today's recycle trends, I'm sure you could do essentially the same thing with garage sale finds or old clothes too.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
6 Sep 12
I knitted a hobo bag for myself. I saw the pattern and loved it but couldn't figure out how they made the shape, so I had to buy the pattern. After I made it once, though, I made it again in a different color and made my own adjustments, including a flap to close it. I liked the second one better and think I'll probably make another on in the future. It's cool to be able to make bags of the exact color and design that you want.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
6 Sep 12
Thanks for your response. Sounds like an interesting idea! Hope you find exactly the one that makes you the happiest. I'm with you on creating several in colors to go with either your mood or your wardrobe. 
@capirani (2840)
• United States
19 Oct 12
I have made lots of purses and tote bags for myself. I don't even use a pattern for them anymore because they are so simple to make. I do have an old pattern I got back in the early 70's which is for a basic shoulder strap rectangular purse with a cover flap. It's very easy to make. However since then I rarely even use the pattern. My favorite tote bags were made out of upholstery samples that were thrown away from a furniture store. They are strong and sturdy and hold a lot. I've made them in several sizes. I've also crocheted one purse with a shoulder strap. The only problem with that one is that I never thought to line it with fabric so small things like ink pens, or keys tend to fall through the spaces between the yarn.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
6 Sep 12
I remember during my early college days, i saw an old sweater of my dad. I think it was bought by my dad from Jspan when he was studying his post doctorate degree. anyway, there is no way thay we can use it here in our country coz we luve in a tropical country. So what I did was, I made a bag out of it. I think I was just inspired that time and now looking back, I don't know how I did it. but I was proud coz everybody was asking where I bought it. I guess they think it was a nice creation.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
6 Sep 12
Thanks Jenny for your response. I love using things that would usually be discarded and re-purposing them into something entirely different. I've had wonderful fabric at times in shirts, jeans, other pieces of clothing that I've used when they no longer able to fulfill their original purpose. It is so much fun to use my creative mind. I bet that bag was wonderful and a one of a kind item.
