Box Finished

It is FAR from perfect but it is done. I may or may not ever make one again. I'm not planning on it at the moment. With an untrained eye this looks marvelous and I'm happy with it - mainly because it is done, I learned what I wanted to learn and it looks pretty good to me.

 This is the only process picture. I'm in no position to "show" anyone how to make a clam shell box. This is a picture of the "trays" being glued to the lids.

 Box closed

Box closed (again)

Box open.

My biggest challenge was making wobbly cuts because the X-acto blade was a strange one. The thick blade of a rug or box cutter would be more appropriate. So my box is a bit wonky and I didn't remember some of what was said in the demo. But as I mentioned I'm pretty happy with it.

A Clam Shell Box

This weekend Marcella and I took a workshop to learn to make clam shell boxes. It seemed like a fun idea even though I am not  a paper person. I did take Marcella's paste paper class and I really enjoyed it and I took the paste paper I created to this class to use in covering my box.

The first part of the class was a 70 minute demonstration - from start to finish. I had a bit of a hard time cutting the bookboard because I had an odd blade in my  X-acto knife. I ended up using one of the box cutter type knives the instructor brought with her. Here is the box so far.

This is the box closed. The lid is made with the book cloth on the spine.

This is the box open and you can see that the bottom "tray" on the right is about a 1/16th of an inch smaller on three sides so that it fits inside the upper "tray".

From the side. Friday, I will have it covered in paper. If this doesn't look like much please remember that this started as one sheet of bookboard and took 3 hours to construct. I'm not sure if paper is for me.

Here are the instruction for how YOU can construct a clam shell box

If you want a copy of the purse pattern, let me know.

Giveaways, purse and the walls

Giveaways winging their way to their new homes

Front with separate pocket

 Gusset, batting, and backing

 Quilted

Gusset applied

From the other side

Quilted strap applied with tab/D-ring for keys

 Patch that covers the seam AND strengthens the strap.

Binding  being applied

Finished

Isn't this beautiful? It reminds me of an orchid (flower).

Flap up

 I'm going to start to fill it.

This is the quest room and is available to anyone who wants to come and visit.

Standing stones which disappears on the olive or brown walls. It looks good here.

This wall is "Roman Gold" I call it brown but it does have that very deep gold hue to it. Winter Marsh looks much better on this wall with 10" ceiling than squeezed onto the stair wall.

From across the living room.

The Purse Saga

The winner of Day 9 is Beth from Illinois 

Thank you all for celebrating my 3rd blog anniversary with me.

I can't believe how long this purse is taking. I may finish it today but I have 29 pictures so far so I think I will make a second post for Monday with the end of the construction and the finished product.
Here it goes. I wanted a new purse that wasn't as thick. The one I am carrying now, I made 5" wide. The one before that was 3.5" wide. I like the thinner version.

I made this purse 2 years ago out of batiked (with fabric paint) linen and hand dyed yellow lining.

After 2 years of use (abuse) it looks like this. It held up well.

I like this configuration of pockets . They work well for me.

This is the pattern I made for many of the purses I have made in the past. I like this design.

This is the front panel (small) and the back/top/flap (big) with the purple fabric I plan to use. I cut them oversized because the quilting can make the fabric "shrink".

 I cut four pieces this size out of the backing material: One for the front piece and 2 pockets and I'm not sure about the last piece.

This is the lining (backing) for the back/top/flap.I cut the back/top/flap down the center lengthwise. Of course I forgot to take a picture of this.

I had this idea to add odd strips of greens and a lavender to create an eccentric  look to the center of the back/flap. I sewed these strips end to end making a long strip. I felt it was too wide so I cut it lengthwise into two thinner strips 

Here I am starting to sew the strips to what will be the center of the back/top/flap. I sewed three rows.

The first of three rows

I ironed the row open which truned out to be a mistake. I should have sewn all three rows then ironed because I accidentally distorted the fabric with the iron then I had to compensate. When I did this again later, I sewed all three rows first THEN ironed

Here is the back/top/flap section sewn back together and ready for quilting along with the felt batting and underneath that is the backing fabric.

This is it quilted and roughly cut to shape.

Close-up of the quilting

Backside of the back/top/flap. This is what will show when you look in the purse. I ALWAYS make the insides of my purses in light colors. It is easy for my old eyes to spot what I'm looking for when the inside of the bag is light colored.

Now it is time to construct the front of the purse with the outside and inside fabrics and the felt batting

Finished but still untrimmed

I decided I wanted an additional pocket on the from that will be covered by the flap. I have a few odd bits I carry that get lost in the deep inside pockets so this should make retrieval of my aspirins and gum easier. I made this pattern piece but later cut the pocket 2" wider.

I bought these magnetic closures a long while ago but I think I will use them here.

The front pocket with all 3 layers visible quilted. Now I have to trim to size.

Trimmed to size.

Bound

The magnetic closure has been placed on the pocket only. I will use the placement of THIS magnet to find the proper spot for the other magnet.

This is the proper spot on the purse from the inside. I used an X-acto blade to cut a slash in the purse front to poke those prongs into place.

 Then the flange goes on and I bent the prongs down to tighten.

Then I sewed the pocket down with back stitching at the start and finish. This is just to give you an idea of the pocket with something in it. It closes easily when there isn't a rotary cutter sticking out of it.

Now I have to figure out which side of the back/top/flap I want to be in the front.

or

I think I am going to go with the side with the lavender on it.

This is the purse without the sides and strap. There is still a lot of work to do so check back Monday for the finished purse.