Dickens Faire!!! Finally the time of year to dress up in your best walking costume and go stroll the fantastic streets of a time long ago. Well it is super hard to look good while strolling if you're holding a camera and an iPhone. So today as the costume was pulled out and accessories were gathered all together a gaping hole in my ensemble was discovered...i have no purse for the Checked Wool Costume! It does have a couple of welt pockets on the front of the jacket, but not enough for all the goodies required for a day out. The brain started thinking and decided that it would the perfect rainy day activity to whip up a Victorian Purse for all my strolling needs.
A dig through the fabric bin of things long since past produced more than enough of the Red Velveteen used on the Checked Wool Costume saving me the headache of having to try to match it. Next a trip to Lacis to procoure a Metal Purse Frame and Chain. I found a super cute Antique Nickle color frame with Rhinestones in the clasps that was adorable.
If you have ever sewn a reticule...this is even easier depending upon your Metal Frame type. I went with a "Sew-on" type frame so i would not have to mess with trying to crimp down a frame. There are also frames that will screw together to hold the fabric in place. Another great method, but sewing was going to be the least intense for me and with trying to make this a couple hour project i was all about easy. I found a fantastic website with simple instructions and pictures where appropriate for putting together the bag. I opted against super cute trimmings and lace as the walking costume is on the clean side with very little trim.
i LOVE how it turned out and can't wait for Dickens tomorrow to show it off. It was so quick i've already pulled out some bags to buy frames for and convert from drawstring and reticule type bags in the future. I really enjoyed attaching the bag to the frame and prefer the clean and structured look of having the bag attached to a metal frame.
