DIY Bag Patterns - Recently Updated Pages

3 fat quarters & and Duck

pursebiz — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:05:28 CDT

Brand new and easy to make 3 fat quarters & a Duck purse pattern by All Dunn Designs!

The "3 Fat Quarters & A Duck" Bag pattern has 12 pages of instructions, colored photos, and full size pattern pieces! Layers of duck canvas give this bag it's shape and there are 5 pockets outside and 2 inside, including a hidden zippered pocket.
Finished size is 16" at the widest point (top) x 8" tall x 3" deep.
Materials Needed:

3 Coordinating Fat Quarters - for background, outside pockets, and accent trim
3/4 yd 60" wide 10 oz duck canvas
Magnetic closure
1 1/2 yd of 3/8" cord (inside handle)
9" zipper
12" x 11" muslin (for inside hiddle pocket)
Optional 1 yd of rat tail or thin cord for piping (for added trim on the outside pocket)

Unusual Purse Patterns

pursebiz — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:03:37 CDT

Safi Bag Pattern by Monica Poole

I decided to find the most unusual and unique purse patterns to show how creative people can be! If you have any interesting and unique patterns, feel free to add them here.

Castle Keeper Tote Bag	Miniskirt Bag Pattern	The "O" Bag Pattern	ClaudieJo Purse Pattern
Chicken Purse Pattern	Crazy Necktie Quilter's Purse Pattern	Half Moon Tote Bag Pattern	Puff Tote Bag Pattern

DIY Bag Patterns and Handbags

pursebiz — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:34:08 CDT

Do you love handbags and l ove to sew? Then this is all about you, the creative woman who likes to express her personality by creating her own purses!

I want this to be a true interactive community about purse patterns that you have made, new pattern designers you have discovered, or just to showcase your own creations! All handbag lovers are welcome to join and give us your opinions!

Feel free to post and contribute - show us your creativity!

Here is a handy tutorial on a new way to close a purse that you make from Patty Dunn of All Dunn Designs:
This is an example of a purse pattern (reversible) using the "Clicker" closure method -

You can use a retractable metal tape measure as a closure for your purse! Pull out the full length of the tape and cut. Measure the width of the top of your bag without seams and cut the appropriate length - be sure to round off the edges as this could eventually cut through your fabric.
Cover the cut metal tape measure with duct tape. Make a casing to hold the tape including the seam allowances. Stitch this casing to the wrong side of the purse and see only one side to the seam. Insert your tape measure and then sew up the remaining open side of the casing - you now have a "clicker" purse closing!

All Dunn Designs are available from Henrietta's Handbags

Are you looking for great craft articles? Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns has started a craft article blog with great information to help all you crafty people!

Handbags From Pet Hair

pursebiz — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:28:58 CDT

Do you love your pet but hate the fact you find pet hair all over your house? Danelle German, the owner of The Catty Shack, a feline grooming and spa service in South Carolina, came up with the concept of turning that unwanted cat hair into custom made handbags.

The hair is spun into yarn and knitted into a one of a kind bag, made from your beloved pet's hair! The first step is collecting the hair and "carding" it, which means combing the fur in the same direction to prepare it for spinning. Bags take about 3-4 weeks to make.

Prices range from $45.00 to $300.00 and collection kits vary in price from $7.00 up to $78.00 and you are given instructions with these kits on how to best collect your pet's fur.

This would make a great gift for the person who loves their pet absolutely!

Ergonomic Handbags

pursebiz — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:40:06 CDT

An ergonomic handbag is an excellent choice for a reduction of stress on the back, shoulders, and neck. Due to it's special design, pressure is lowered through distribution of your purse contents throughout the bag, which also makes finding your essentials easier!

I use to work in a Chiropractic Office and daily saw the pain women suffer from carrying a poorly designed purse that digs into the shoulder and throws the spinal alignment of the body out of adjustment. Recent research suggests that, of the women who carry large handbags, the medium weight ranges from 7 to 10 pounds! Statistically speaking, about 13.7 million people went to the doctor in 2003 for shoulder problems. Back pain affects some 90% of people in the world at some time in their lives and is the leading cause of doctor visits and missed days of work.

Protect yourself from becoming a statistic by being aware of your posture and lifting techniques, especially if you are the mother of children. Even more at risk are pregnant women and new mothers because pregnancy hormones soften the ligaments which hold the spine in place. Also lifting a child up without awareness of your body alignment can do damage to the shoulder, neck, or back. An ergonomically designed bag can help in the war of trying to stay pain free and healthy!

We are now carrying purse patterns with an ergonomic twist (no pun intended!). Patterns range from "Easy On The Back" to the "Hip Hugger" pattern, giving you choices to help protect your back, shoulders, and neck.

Earth Friendly Recycled Handbags

pursebiz — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:33:24 CDT

We are very pleased at Henrietta's Handbags to announce that we have added an eco-friendly category to our list of purse patterns available from our site! Purse patterns range from the "Go Green" bag patterns to the "Flea Market Bag pattern" - everything you need to meet your shopping needs without using paper or plastic bags!

Have you ever thought about your carbon footprint on this planet? Have you ever considered carrying a handbag made from recycled material?

There is a really cool site that sells bags made from recycled tires, candy wrappers, soda pop can tops, juice boxes, and aluminum cans just to name a few. These bags are very well made and shipping is free in Canada!

Be sure to check them out!

Handbags made from recycled materials

Handbags for Spring '08

pursebiz — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:46:45 CST

Many celebrities are making their handbag choices for Spring, 2008 and here are some of their favorite selections:
The Chloe Bay Handbag - The YSL Besace -

The Darel Python - The Chanel Croco -

Do you recognize these talented ladies? If not, just move your mouse over the photos to see their names.

Handbag Designers

pursebiz — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:01:33 CST

I will be adding new handbag designers - if you have a favorite, just let me know or add it to this page yourself!

Lulu Guinness Handbags-Old World Charm Personified

This is one of my favorite Lulu Guinness designer handbags - "Tattoo Parlour"

Lulu Guinness began her handbag design career in l989 from the basement of her West London home. Her handbags reflect a sense of old-style glamour and charm that is unsurpassed in the use of embroidery, beading, and trim work.

No large factories for this designer - she uses English ladies living in the countryside who hand embroider her handbag creations with strict attention to individuality and detail.

What makes these bags especially unique is that each handbag carries a card with the name of the embroiderer. Within her shops, the same attention is evident in the use of customer cards. These cards entitle the bearer to store heavy bags they are carrying, shelter themselves from the rain, or even have a cup of tea in the shop!

Two of Lulu Guinness' bags have become part of the collection permanently displayed at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Truly this unique designer deserves a place in the history of handbags!

Fake Designer Handbags - Report It!

pursebiz — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:20:32 CST

Fake Designer Handbag? Report It!

Now there is a way to fight back against fake designer handbags - report them! The International Anticounterfeiting Coalition is an organization devoted to wiping out all counterfeiting worldwide, which cost legitimate businesses an estimated 600 billion dollars per year. Just over the last 5 years, seizure of fake goods has increased by 5 fold at our ports and borders with China being the biggest exporter.

An important member of this counterfeiting squad is Rob Holmes, who works for IP CyberCrime, which is heavily involved in the enforcement program. Mr. Holmes has been investigating counterfeit goods online since 1995 and his company has been instrumental so far in seizing 1 billion dollars in goods and has received 100 million dollars in judgements from counterfeiters.

IP CyberCrime has also been involved in helping the online auction site E-Bay to develop a policy to help stop counterfeit goods and to protect unsuspecting buyers from shady dealers. IP CyberCrime would make undercover buys and track sellers trying to pass off fake designer handbags as the real thing, as well as collect evidence.

Did someone sell you a fake designer bag and claim it was a genuine designer purse? You have the option of fighting back by reporting your transaction at the International Anticounterfeiting Coalition website. Your confidentiality is assured and you can help in the effort to stamp our counterfeiters.

Handbag Video - Take Our Handbag Poll

pursebiz — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:42:50 CST

Unique Handbags

pursebiz — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:37:03 CST

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

"Lanna Charm" ~ Handcrafted Handbags, from Thailand

Mickmac — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:04:13 CST

At "Lanna Charm" we specialize in handcrafted handbags, shoulder bags, totes and purses, all made by a local family here in Chiang Rai. We use only handwoven cotton and hemp for the outer covering, and machine made cotton for the inside lining. Most of the cotton fabric we use is produced in a weaving village just outside town, and the hemp we use comes from a village about 120 km east of Chiang Rai. We also travel to other countries looking for fabrics, and so far our shopping safaris have taken us to China, Cambodia, Laos, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Burma, Nepal and Tibet. Every country has something special to offer, not to be found anywhere else.

Below are images of our products, as well as
some of the ladies weaving silk, cotton and hemp fabrics.

The "Lanna" shoulder bag, above, is made from handwoven hemp and "batik" cotton, which we recycle from the skirts, below, (new) made by the "Hmong" hill tribe people of northern Thailand. These skirts are very heavy, as there is a lot of material in each skirt, because of the way the material is "gathered". You can see black, handwoven hemp in the upper section of the skirt, a band of batik cotton around the middle, and another band of handstitched hemp around the hem. This is our favorite material for making bags, as each skirt is unique, the personal style and character of the lady who handmade it displayed in the finished product. If you are interested in purchasing some of this wonderful material to make your own bags, please contact us at "Lanna Charm".

Zippered Wristlet Tutorial

pursebiz — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:52:03 CST

I don't know about you but I really like the new wristlets! I decided to write a tutorial on this subject and just finished - if there are any questions about any of the instructions, just let me know! It is done in pdf format and has lots of photos (for the visual learner, like me!).

If you have made your own zippered wristlet, post a photo here so we can see your work!

Zippered Wristlet Tutorial

Amy Butler Handbags

pursebiz — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 06:14:55 CST

New Amy Butler handbags have just been introduced and they are fabulous! These bags are made of Amy's newest fabric, Nigella.

Design Your Own Purses

pursebiz — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 06:04:02 CST

A great way to find smaller items in your purse is to sew in extra pockets but did you know that a hidden pocket gives you more room in your purse for the bigger items.
What is a hidden pocket? The pocket is between the fashion fabric and the purse and usually closes with a zipper. A hidden pocket can be as big as the side of the purse it is on and the opening is usually sewn into the lining. It holds the items between the fabric so the inside of your purse is free for all the BIG stuff. Once you carry a purse that has a hidden pocket it will be your favorite.

Purse patterns by All Dunn Designs can be purchased at http://henriettashandbags.com

Patty Dunn http://www.alldunndesigns.com

Ugly Designer Handbags for Fall, 2007

pursebiz — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:13:57 CDT

According to Booth Moore and Melissa Magsaysay of the Los Angeles Times, there are some really ugly and impractical handbags by famous Designers that are hitting the runway for Fall of 2007. The trend is for the big label companies (Prada, Versace, etc.) to thrown celebrity parties for their latest bags and get their brand on the arm of a well know person such as Katie Holmes and Madonna.

This season the handbag designers have decided that more is better and to prove the point, have added lots of metal plates, straps, buckles, and extra zippers to their bags. Some of the most "over the top" designer handbags (according to the Los Angeles Times) are as follows:

Prada - $2,390: Leather handbag with 3 1/2 pounds of hardware,including 3 rows of zippers.
Gucci - $3,990: Rabbit hair handbag with studded metallic fringe.
Jimmy Choo - $3,225: Pony hair handbag that has a non-functioning strap across the top, limiting your ability to even get in the handbag!
Versace - $2,380: Hugh handbag with lots of metal and a very tiny handle.

This list is from the Los Angeles Times - what is your opinion?

Burst of Happiness

BurstofHappiness — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:17:17 CDT

Handbags, totes and other accessories by Robyn Vines Smith

Burst of Happiness specializes in handcrafted handbags, totes, yoga bags, cosmetic bags and other accessories. They are all designed and created by Robyn Vines Smith in beautiful Albuquerque, N.M.

Bags range from large totes that you can throw books, sweaters and purse contents into, to smaller handbags for everyday use. All bags have compartment pockets for items like pens and cell phones.

Robyn loves working with different fabrics, so there are usually only one or a couple bags from each fabric. She accepts custom orders for the same price of the already made bags. Her Web site is www.burstofhappiness.com, and she's got an etsy.com shop called at www.burstofhappiness.etsy.com.

Robyn's mother is joining her on an extension of the business called Babycakes Aprons. These aprons are far from practical, and that's the point! They are perfect for hosting cocktail parties or dinners and still looking fab. They are also washable, so wipe away with those messy hands.
Look for these items on the Burst of Happiness site in the future. For now, a few items are available at Babycakes Aprons on Etsy.com.

All my products are made with care. Quality is of the utmost importance to me!