Preppy Clutch Purse

Last night after aerobics I decided I needed to make this purse. I thought about it the whole class, and you would think that it was some great, novel idea instead of something I've made oodles of. But the difference, you see, is that it wouldn't be made of cotton and I'd embellish it. And no matter how simple the idea, once it's in my head I can't let go of it until I've made it or have a very good reason not to. I didn't have a good reason, so onward I went. The result looked a little different in my head (I imagined it in a plaid, and this is clearly NOT a plaid) but I like it very much anyway. Side note: last year I had this delightful black and gray plaid that I used every last scrap of. It was the most perfect color and style and texture, and when I imagine preppy winter bags it is in this fabric. I have yet to find anything like it, and so I suffer some slight disappointment each time I make something akin to it that is NOT it but is my feeble attempt to replicate it. Anyway, here's the purse:

I still love the fabric - it's very soft and warm. It looks and feels like wool, but is actually cotton. I like how the herringbone houndstooth (I ALWAYS call it the wrong thing) pattern is kind of subtle and not so high-contrast as black and white. My thinking was that it would make a cute purse for winter/fall when you don't want to lug your whole bag but want something cute and stylish just the same. It fits all the essentials, and I think would be adorable for a cozy winter date or even a wedding (my sister's stomach probably just lurched thinking of this bag at a wedding, but I would carry it to one - she's much more stylish than I am :)

My original idea for an embellishment was a flower. I had it going and it was looking good, but finishing it off in any way that was secure enough for this and that I would be satisfied with wasn't happening, so I went with a big yoyo and a few buttons. It's a little larger than I thought it would be, but I think it adds a nice touch. I can't decide if it would be better without the red button...I thought it needed a little pop of color, but now I don't know if the black would have been fine too. I guess I'll have to make another. I have just enough of this fabric left for a small project.

And here's the inside:

This has been in my stash for some time and I feel like it was waiting for this purse to happen. I'm not a big maroon/burgundy fan, but when it's paired with gray I love it. I thought this would whip up pretty quickly, and it would have if I didn't have such a hard time with the initial flower. These are some of my favorite purses to make - they're pretty quick and make a pretty satisfying little project.

I made up this week's quilt block tonight, and I think its goal was to try and kill me. Oh. My. Word. Holy seams! I'm not entirely pleased with my end result, but I was pretty proud of myself for getting out of my comfort zone with this one. Pics to come later this week! Hope your Wednesday is so good it makes you feel like it's Friday!

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