We all have our moments of error in judgement, especially while shopping online. It happened to me recently during a handbag purchase. Now, I know quality is better than quantity, but when you have to tote around snacks and other stuff for a little one, you just might rethink that, right?! My bags do take a beating and a girl needs variety, right again?!!
So when I saw this brown ‘suede’ handbag for a bargain, I didn’t think twice. The thumbnail sized image didn’t help much. I knew it couldn’t be real good suede, but I didn’t expect it to be so ‘meh’ or ‘blah’ either. Here it is in all it’s ‘un’glory. I liked the hardware accent, though.
Sending it back was out of the question. It would have cost more than the bag itself. So I decided it was a good DIY makeover candidate. Why not cover it with a fun fabric? Fabric totes are all the rage now, and since I cannot operate a sewing machine (yet), this was as close as I was going to get to making my own fabric tote.
I decided to go with this little leftover bit of fabric. Remember this one, from my spring cushion cover project?
I hemmed the fabric edges first. I then sewed the fabric on to the handbag. I started near one of the handbag sides.
I was unsure how to finish the bottom. I had no template and I generally have no patience with measuring stuff.
So I just did the best I could, folding the extra fabric in and sewing them in place. It was a little tricky at the bottom corners.
I finished by sewing the short side seam into one of the handbag side tucks, which left the handbag front and back sides neat. The picture below will do a better job of explaining it!
I can’t seem to decide whether to keep or remove the front flap. Maybe I could just hide it inside one of the pouches. And since the pouches are zippered, I didn’t make any holes for the magnetic closure in the flap.
Here it is ready for an outing.
Mommy’s hat and sunglasses – check.
Boy’s hat – check.
Sunscreen – check.
Juice – check.
Toy car – check! We are ready to go!!
I think it is not too bad if you don’t inspect the sewing in detail! And I can use it while running small errands and for trips to the park in the summer. Anything is better than brown!!!
Here is the before and after for comparison.
This is an easy update for an old handbag. You get the look of a fabric tote and have the handbag as a template to work with. All you need is a fun fabric big enough to cover your handbag and some basic sewing supplies.
Do you like it? Have you made any bad shopping choices, and if yes, how did you salvage it? Any other ideas on how I could have updated it? All comments are welcome!
Here is another fun ‘Before & After’ type makeover project : My painted chair-turned-stool
Another ‘not-so-perfect’ sewing project: Spring Cushion Covers
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I am linking this up to June Before And After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick, Fun In The Sun Link Party at DIY Show Off, and to parties at these awesome blogs.
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This bag turned out so cute. I actually like the flap sticking out. I would leave it, but that’s just me. 🙂
Thank you. I like the flap too!
Great job! I’m featuring you this week also. I love this bag! Linda
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it.
Would love for you to share this at my link up where we pin all those you join to our party board
http://myfashionforwardblog.com/2013/05/30/all-things-pretty-10/
Thanks for visiting and the invite.
That was a wonderful make over!
Thank you!
WOW!! I never would’ve thought to makeover an old handbag! Great job!! Thanks for linking up at the Pinterest Power Party! We’ll be featuring this in tomorrow’s party! Hope you’ll come by and get a featured button – as well as link up again! =)
Danielle
SewMuchCrafting.com
Thank you. Glad you liked it. Appreciate the feature!
I wanted to let you know that You Were Featured on VMG206 ~ Brag About It Tuesday’s Linky Party from last week! I have pinned your project to my Brag About It Features Pinterest Board, too. I can’t wait to see what you’ve been working on this week!
~ Megin of VMG206
Join me each Tuesday for Brag About It Link Up Party
Thanks so much for the feature. I am so honored!
I have added your party to my weekly regulars!!
What a great way to make a fun bag!! The fabric is perfect…and you’re ingenious!!:)
Thanks for the kind words! I am glad I could turn it around!!
Amazing work! Love the fabric too!
Have a great week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Thank you.
You have an amazing blog too!
Funny I was wondering if I could cover a pocketbook with fabric. And you come up with the very tutorial I needed! Thanks so much. I see that you hand sewed the fabric onto the pocketbook. I’m so happy you linked to my party so that I could learn how this is done. Thanks again. Linda
Thanks for visiting. Hope your re-do turns out awesome!
Fantastic idea and I love the fabric you chose. So cute! I’d love to have you link up at my “Best Of The Weekend” party if you have a chance.
Have a great rest of your weekend!
Claire
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
I will be coming over. Happy holiday!
Oh, my heavens…. did you impress me or what??! I love your “can-do” spirit that turned a disappointment into something so fabulous! I agree, photos can be deceiving, can’t they? I guess I am just old-fashioned and want to touch everything first. I know sometimes that’s not possible but as I said…. Love your new bag!!
Oh, thank you so much for the kind words! I am just glad I could update it and use it!!
I am amazed! How creative!
Have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend.
Linda at The French Hens Nest
Thank you! Have a good weekend!
love the fabric!! Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays and for the link back :o) Can’t wait to see what you bring next week. Emily @ Nap-Time Creations
Thanks for visiting!
Fantastic idea! That is amazing. So glad to find this great post. Thanks for sharing on our Brag About It! Hope to see you again! All the best ~Sharon and Denise
BeBetsy
Thank you. Appreciate the comment!
Awesome job ~ it has a whole new personality now!
I’m visiting you today from The Girl Creative. I co-host a Linky Party Tuesday (open thru Sat) and I’d love for you to link up! I hope you get a chance to stop by, link up and leave a comment, too!
~ Megin of VMG206
Join me each Tuesday for Brag About It Link Up Party
Thank you. I will check it out!
Wow, you did such a beautiful job with the handbag makeover! I love the fabric that you chose!
Thank you! Appreciate the comment!!
Cute handbag! Great idea to cover a bag you don’t like or an older bag.
Thank you! I was happy that my plan for this ugly little duckling worked out!!
Wow… how did you do that? It looks gorgeous!!
Thank you for the sweet comment!
What a great idea! I would never have thought of doing that! I like your choice of fabric too 🙂
Thank you! Appreciate the comment!!
Love that fabric, and the bag looks great!
Thank you!
Your re-made hand bag looks lovely, though I could not see the sewing in detail..
Thank you! The sewing is nothing fancy, just a quick running stitch.
I love this idea. Never thought to redo a handbag. This is so fresh and pretty. Great job. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Thanks for the kind words! I am glad it turned out OK. Halfway through, I thought I had a disaster on my hands!!