Victorian Purse Ornaments

I used made these years ago to sell in craft shows and when I needed to make something to send in an ornament exchange I thought of these. I was surfing and saw a "make it with what you have" blog carnival and thought I'd do just that with my "stash" of loose ends that I couldn't bear to toss. Granted, they're doing "big" items, and this is a little ol' ornament, but I used what I had - so that counts for something, right? Then I started thinking that maybe some of my blog buddies might like to make some...just in case you're a "bag lady" like me!

It's really simple, and you don't need any advanced sewing skills! LOL Pics probably aren't needed (especially after seeing what a photographer I am!) but here's a few anyway.

First, gather all your "loose ends" stash like lace, cording, hot glue gun and glue sticks, poly-fill stuffing, needle, thread, fabric. I used velvet for the purse body. You don't have to, but it just looks so elegant (it sheds though- Ugh!).


Make yourself a template out of cardstock, cardboard..whatever. It should measure 4 x 6 inches.

Trace the template onto your fabric (wrong side). Fold the 4 x 6 inch piece of fabric in half (making it 4 x 3 inches). Sew a scant 1/4 inch around three sides. You see in the picture on the left, the "bottom" of the purse has curved lines? You can eyeball it or find something to make that curve I used a half round template from my quilting rulers, but a cup or glass that would fit would be fine..just anything so your purse doesn't just look like a straight bag..unless that's what you're going for. Turn right sides out.



Stitch a running stitch, or gathering stitch, by hand all around the open end but don't close it off yet.
Now get out your stash and have fun! Eye it up on your purse and see what you like

Lightly stuff the purse body with poly-fill, or stuffing of choice. Remember lightly! Put just a dab of hot glue on the ends of the cording (I used gold because, again, it looks elegant) and put into the sides of the purse. Now you're going to pull the thread to gather (only slightly) the open end. To cover the ugly gathered ends, you will want to dig in the stash, you can use lace, those beaded do-hickies you buy sewn into ribbon (pardon the technical jargon), gimp, whatever. Run a line of hot glue around ugly ends and glue whatever you choose to cover it up. You'll notice I layered different things. The sky is the limit - just have fun. And don't forget to "finish" it off with a button ... kinda like a "snap" on a purse.


I hope I haven't totally confused you. But if I did don't hesitate to ask and I'll see if I can confuse you even more.