Saturday, September 10, 2011

Snappy Little Coin Purse

Every day I get a happy little email from Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project. http://www.happiness-project.com.  On Labor Day, the happiness quote was from Bertrand Russell, "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time."  (CAUTION:  This theory does probably does NOT apply at your day job.  Bosses tend to frown on wasting time when you're "on the clock," especially if you are enjoying  yourself.) 


So, after staining the deck on Labor Day, I treated myself to some fabric play time.  It was definitely time I enjoyed wasting.  On a tip from Janeese Olsson, owner of The Calico House, a local quilt shop (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Calico-House/111958605551117), I found a link to The Snappy Coin Purse Tutorial by Rashida Coleman-Hale which was posted on the Timeless Treasures blog, SEW Timeless, on July 13, 2011.  http://sewtimeless.net/?p=502.  Be sure to visit Rashida's blog, I Heart Linen, for even more inspiring projects.  http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com.  And watch for her latest fabric line, coming soon.


I was able to order a fat eighths (9" x 22") assortment of linen from Unique Shiny on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/56281785.  After my bundle of linen arrived in the mail,  I spent a couple of happy hours rummaging through my stash to find fabrics that might coordinate with the linens.


My first finished project is pictured above.  I used Michael Miller fabrics designed by Laura Gunn, a scrap of hand-dyed cotton for the middle contrasting strip, and my beautiful new Quarry colored linen.  My experience with snaps was limited, so that was probably the trickiest part for me.  The side seams are hand-sewn, but I've had plenty of recent practice with hand sewing thanks to my continuing work on The Ugliest Quilt in the World.  http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com/2011/06/ugliest-quilt-in-world.html   I think I would have been happier with the snap ring hidden between the top flap layers.  I might try that next time.  Magnetic snaps may be a bit bulky for such a small purse, but I might experiment with those as well.


I plan to make some more as Christmas stocking stuffers.  They are so cute, and quite simple to make.  Although Rashida calls this a snappy little coin purse,  the  4.5" x 3" x 1.25" pouch could also double as a business card holder, mini sewing kit, a jewelry-keeper when traveling, a key keeper, a  library card and student ID holder, a bus pass and work ID holder, or…..

What would YOU put in this snappy little coin purse?


TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pasque-Flower-Creations/240542392623600

6 comments:

  1. cool links and purse as well! I could use my magnetic snaps:)"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." - I gotta make my other half doesn't find out, he'd enjoy this quote too much!:))
    Magda

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  2. Very cute project...great for fabric scraps! Thanks

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  3. That is so cute and a great way to use up scraps. Perfect for so many uses. I'm thinking about making it a tiny bit bigger and using it for a teabag caddy for my purse.

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  4. Very cute! I like how it snaps together, that's different.

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  5. Really cute! I like the fabrics you chose.

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  6. Very cute change purse, I could use one of those to keep my gum, tic tacs, etc. in to keep them from ending up all scattered in my pursr.

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