Comic-Con Satchel

I made this handbag specifically for going to conventions, just in time for Emerald City Comicon! I started out with the diamond shape (from Superman's logo) but I decided to do it in black and yellow (Batman colors) so I could use black leather.

I didn't use a pattern, other than drawing out a diamond shape. All of the sides are basically rectangle pieces so I just had to measure the lengths of each side and then make all of the strips 5 inches wide. I added an 18" black zipper to the top and a 7" black zipper on the side (for a secret side pocket). The lining is yellow satin fabric I had leftover from my World of Warcraft Priest costume.

When it came time to add a strap, I struggled with indecision. Do I add D-rings and then make a strap out of the black leather? Where am I going to find the right hardware to make the strap adjustible? Then I looked over in the corner of my craft room where I had a pile of Warner Bros. bags I had hoarded from SDCC 2011. I had a "duh!" moment before I whipped out my thread ripper and pulled the strap off one of the bags (which had Big Bang Theory on it). Not only did the strap fit perfectly, but the colors were spot-on!

Lace Clutch with Bow Pin

I made this clutch on Saturday morning. It would be great for Lolita cosplay, Steampunk, weddings, garden parties, Sunday brunch...

The clutch has a magnetic closure and two inside pockets. One pocket zippers closed.

I used a really nice textured sea-foam teal fabric with vintage off-white lace. The teal fabric was originally a square sample of special-order home decor fabric.

The inside lining fabric is a very light silver-grey satin (leftover from my Warcraft costume).

The bow is a detachable pin!

Wonder Clutch

I made this on New Years Day!

The clutch is made of red silk, with a yellow "lasso" wrist cord, zipper, and hand-beaded detail.

I hand-beaded the star with an assortment of silver beads, with silver thread for a whimsical accent. The lining inside is removable, for easy cleaning.

Whimsical Purse Pattern

Every girl needs a cute purse to go with their outfit, even when cosplaying! Isn't this adorable?

See, look, it matches my Sunday Afternoon Capelet!

I just came up with the idea and the pattern myself as I thought of what kind of purse I would want to carry around all day at a convention while in costume. There is an open slot in the back of the back (for quickly sliding handout flyers and business cards), plenty of space along the top of the front flap and on the strap for pins and your name badge, and ample open room inside for a wallet, phone and camera. I added an extra slip-in pocket inside as well.

I saw this pink and white button at JoAnn's and thought it was adorable and it just happened to match my pink-and-green plaid fabric. I'd been looking for a good place to put it, since the cloak didn't have a place for it!

I added the ribbons on the side to make it fun and flirty and nod to the ribbon on the front of the cloak.

Here is my concept sketch and pattern piece:

I used this one pattern piece as the pattern for all of the fabric pieces just by folding it in different places or turning it over. If you want to make your own, just pick a width and height and make it squared and symmetrical. The folds determine how wide and how tall the purse will be.

From Placemat to Handbag

Placemat: Hello, I'm a pretty green-striped placemat and I am on clearance. You know you want to make something out of me!

Vintage Ribbon: I am really bored just sitting in this box. Hey, that placemat over there has green stripes the same color as my embroidered flowers!

Placemat: If you fold me over I look like a bag, whee!

Bamboo Purse Handle: Can I join the party?

AND BY OUR POWERS COMBINED, WE ARE... *poof!* A HANDBAG!