Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Silk purse from a sow's ear, sort of.

I love these cheapo "silk" leaves from the dollar store. I had a spray of them left over from my halloween porch flower project last year (see post here if you want). I've been thinking the leaf fabric must be good for something.

 
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Notice that I have carefully torn two of the leaves off the stems so that I just have the material. (You see the plastic veins left behind.) Then I went to the box of used metal zippers that I inherited from my frugal Memere and picked out a shortish black one so I could make myself a leaf change purse. I had to trim the leaves to be the same shape, since they are identical and I needed mirror images. First sew on the zipper:
(Hint: bend the zipper to follow the shape of the leaf, don't try to straighten out the leaf edge!)


 

Then stitch up everywhere else. I did it all from the top (that is right side) because the edges of the leaves seem to be non-raveling. I should have kept my zipper foot on the machine because I didnt' get quite close enough to each end of the zipper and had to hand sew a bit...

 

Voila! A rather large change purse. But maybe I won't lose it like all my others.


 

I don't have a pic of this but since it is a cloth and metal zipper, the purse can be folded into quarters and stuffed into a small pouch in my pocketbook.

 
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I like it. What do you think?

Kathy

I'm linking to the party at Simpsonized Crafts - AND Whatever Wednesday at Someday Crafts -- check out the other projects!

16 comments:

  1. What a clever and original idea! I like it.

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  2. I love it! It's clever and cute. Way to use those leftovers ;-)
    Thanks for stopping by Red Hen Home!

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  3. I love your leaf purse, it is such a cute idea, I can't wait to try one. I love your blog, and I wanted to say, "Thank you so much", for visiting my blog and for leaving such a nice comment. I'm new to blogging and it's so encouraging to get such positive feedback. Thanks, and please stop by again sometime.

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  4. That's so amazing. I love what you did with those leaves!
    Misty

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  5. Wow, what a great idea. Great blog as well. I definetly will become a new follower. Thank you for commenting on my post. Just getting started on the Blog craziness.

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  6. Brilliant!!! I must try that.
    Thank you vry much for following my blog. I am following you, and learning a lot.
    Un abrazo from Spain.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  7. You are just too clever! That opens up all kinds of possibilities! Good job!

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  8. What an ingenious idea...and adorable too!!!

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  9. OMG so cute! And to think of all those silk plants I'VE thrown out over the years and I culd have change purses!!!bummer!
    Great blog--I'm following! Paula

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  10. How clever and beautiful !!!!!!!

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  11. This is awesome! I'd buy it if I saw it in a store. :)

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  12. What a great idea! I wish I could make cool things like that!

    Please forgive me on that post I published regarding blog comments. Sometimes I get a hair across my behind about silly things. And, of course, I wasn't referring to you. I don't know why I had such a need to vent like that. I don't usually.

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  13. Really don't worry about it! I just wanted to eexplain why my comments are short at times. If I was huffy sounding I apologize too. So hard to know how one comes across in writing sometimes.
    Kathy

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  14. what a wonderful and creative idea! I love the little purse!

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  15. Just found your blog and love this little change purse! But what intrigues me most is your inherited "zipper box"! I inherited LOTS of thread (some too old to use), buttons, and fabric (some from the 40's). Trying to use them up creatively.

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Thank you so much for leaving a message. I really appreciate it!
Gracias para dejar un commentario. Me gusta mucho!
Kathy