Purse Repurpose ... Crafting With Miss Patience

This bag has seen better days!

So we cut off the handle. Then we removed the stitching from the back to remove one of the rings and tried to preserve the stitching in the front.

Then used hot glue to put the strap onto the other ring.

Then cut it in half at center back and rounded the edges. Then used a black sharpie to color the raw edges and touch up elsewhere. Then used a little clear drying craft glue the seal the cut edges.

Then we attached a metal snap and that's that.

Miss Patience wanted the medallion from the purse so I cut it off for her and decided to use more of the purse to make this cute cuff. I found the instructions here.

I don't know about it, all I see is a purse strap, but she likes it! We just used what we had, other purses might have better straps. One could embellish this a little, maybe some studs or something.

Girls' Bathing Suit Prototype

Here is the prototype of a bathing suit pattern I have been working on. This exact one will not be released, I've made a few changes. Hopefully, it will be ready by next week.

This suit was made in a hurry and so it isn't the best job, but I am not pleased with the strap. That's one thing that has changed. It won't take too much to re-do this one.

And something isn't quite right about that ruffle skirt, or maybe it's just because it's on a mannequin. But one thing for sure, the waistband has been modified and is a little more streamlined.

Here is the view from the back (please overlook the proverbial stick). The top looks too low because I don't have the top positioned right on the mannequin.

I love the black and white gingham, but I wish I had chosen another fabric for the rest. And of course, I just threw that yellow in there, haven't quite made up my mind about it. Another thing is the plain store-bought bias I used, I think I can liven that up a bit by using made to match handmade bias.

DIY Continuous Loop Bias Strip

Here is a little tutorial on how I make bias strips.

I start with a square piece of fabric. I cut it exactly on the diagonal as shown.

Put right sides together and pin.

Stitch a 1/4" seam. Press it open. Now press the straight edges under by 1/4", not the diagonal edges. Then start making a line at your desired width. Mine is at 1" because I am making narrow double fold bias tape which will end up being 1/4".

Continue making lines all the way across including the folded down part.

Now put the 2 folded edges together with right sides together, make sure to stagger the seam though. 

You will see all your markings line up. Pin it and stitch a 1/4" seam. You can try to press the seam open if you can. Then cut on your line and you will have a continuous bias strip.

Now to make bias tape just fold the long edges to the center and press. This would be single fold bias tape and in my case here, it would be 1/2". If you press it in half again you have double fold bias tape.

It isn't exactly the same as store bought bias tape. For instance, 1/2" store bought bias tape doesn't start out at 1" wide like mine does, it's more like 7/8". So the edges don't meet in the middle. No biggie, it still ends up being 1/2". And likewise, store bought double fold tape isn't folded exactly down the middle. You can do it that way if you want to, but I don't think it's necessary. And of course the big difference between store bought bias tape and handmade bias tape is that your handmade bias tape is going to be much cuter and will match your project much better.