teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Friday 4 October 2013

Handbag, Purse Or Pocketbook? - A Common Language? I Think Not!


"You say tomato, I say tomahto"
You say purse or pocketbook, I say handbag.
You say wallet, I say purse.

"We have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language." 
Oscar Wilde, The Canterville Ghost (1887)

Wherever you're from and whatever you want to call it, I've just sewn my very first handbag - or maybe I should call it a shoulder bag and have done with it?!!!


I'm pretty pleased with it - I used a free online pattern called Reversible Bag by Novita @verypurpleperson.  


Incredibly easy - just printed the pattern out, checked the scale square and glued the sections together.  

All it takes is two 18" x 23" pieces of fabric and a couple of hours to cut out and sew together.

 And the best bit - it's totally reversible.




I'm missing my model, Flicky - had to make do with a balcony door handle, it was either that or a selfie!


I love the pattern, really quick and easy, and have plans to make more.

What do you think?


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This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.

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46 comments:

  1. You forgot they say pillow, we say cushion!!!! But seriously, I absolutely love the bag, handbag, purse, whatever its called, and I am loving the bright pink stitching, it really adds to the style of the bag, great choice.

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  2. Congrats on making your first bag, it's lovely Chrissie. It will be the first of many I am sure.

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    1. I'm thinking it's my entry for your October 'New To Me' link up! :D

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  3. I think it's great! Perfect choice of fabrics and looks like there are tons of options!

    I say pock-book-it. I guess I couldn't pronounce pocketbook when I was a kid and my mom thought it funny. It's been a pockbookit my life. :)

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  4. I love this bag! I'm going to have to make a couple myself!

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  5. Gorgeous! I really like the pink thread you used. How us your Flicky doing at Uni???

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    1. She's settled in brilliantly Lisa and loving it - working and playing hard! Thanks for asking too :D

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  6. Beatufiul bag Chrisse.

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  7. Whatever it's called, it's 'tote' ally gorgeous!!! Xxx

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  8. Making bags is fun! I sure like yours, the butterfly print is perfect!

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  9. It's a beautiful, useful and apparently easy to make bag, shoulder bag, handbag, tote, carryall, minaudière, reticule, sack or whatever you want to call it. I was given a similar one (shop bought in Hawaii) and it is extremely useful. Of course you might need a small purse, pouch, bag, sac, sack or the now very hot Japanese item, a bag-in-bag-organiser to keep order in its depth!

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    1. I so need those bag-in-bag organisers - I can never find anything in the bottom of my handbags!!!

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  10. That is a lovely handbag, Chrissie. Even though you don't have your model, the bag against the views of the city are fabulous.

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  11. I think it's great! You did a wonderful job as always! :) How is Flicky anyways? Did she successfully settle into uni? I've been thinking about you a lot and can't find your email to which to reply to, crazy!:) I'm still in love with your view... :)

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    1. She's doing just great Kati, finally getting around to my comments - September and October have been just crazy busy months! I'll see if I can find the email and resend!!! :D

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  12. It's clearly a tote mum... ;)

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    1. Oh, it's my babe - what would I do without you to guide me through this language minefield?!!! Tote, eh - noted for future reference. Everyone's asking how you're doing too and I'm telling this you're doing brilliantly. Love you so much xxx

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  13. Great bag Chrissie. I made a reversible bag recently, they are a great idea. Love your fabrics.

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  14. Cute handbag and fabric Chrissie!
    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  15. Cute bag! I love reversible things! The butterfly fabric is really cute! Thanks for sharing at Submarine Sunday!

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  16. The pictures are amazing!! So fun to look at and the bag is nice, too. Linda

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  17. What a fabulous bag! And the views of the city behind it look fab too - I love little blog peeks into other people's lives!

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  18. You bag is fabulous! So pleased to hear you're taking a foray into bag making. For me, of course, it's a handbag. I understand purse to but pocketbook does NOT make any sense. It's not like a pocket and it's not a book so why pocketbook??? I've never understood that term.

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  19. A lovely bag, and I really like the 2 contrasting fabrics you used.

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  20. I'm lovin this bag. The fabric is gorgeous, beautiful colours. I read your little blub in the sidebar and I am so jealous that you work in a fabric shop in Manhattan. You lucky girl. Thanks for sharing the pattern link.
    Ali x

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comments, I too think I'm really lucky to live here and to work in a fabric shop is the icing on the cake, still quite believe this is my life now myself!!! :D

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  21. Love it! I especially like the butterfly print.

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  22. Lovely bag! I love both sides just as much. The pink stitching is just the right touch too:)

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  23. What a beautiful purse and the fabrics are awesome! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  24. Super cute!! I LOVE that fabric. What a cool pattern too!

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  25. So cute! I keep thinking I need to make myself another bag - love this pattern!

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  26. Congratulations on your first handbag finish! It turned out beautifully. Thank you also for sharing the link.

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  27. Love it! The fabric is darling.

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  28. Pretty! Love the fuchsia stitching. I say purse and wallet. My gramma said pocketbook (referring to a handbag).

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  29. I love this fabric. I like anything reversible. You never know when you'll need a different color or be in a different mood.

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  30. It is gorgeous. I have been looking around for a first bag pattern to make - this might be the one :-) thanks for sharing.

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  31. whatever you call it- that bag is adorable! I love the fuschia stitching. It's such a nice touch!

    Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  32. What am I going to say? I'm the lucky one who has it! :) Thank you so much!
    Btw, is the first line of the post focus on me? "You say tomato, I say tomahto" hehehe :P
    Love, xxxx

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    1. OMG - I'd completely forgotten that conversation in Seville about tomato/tomahto, that's even more appropriate given that the bag was for you. Totally delighted that you love your bag, hope you had the best birthday ever just as you deserve, love you xxx

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  33. I totally love it!!!! Good job. I say purse or bag. But I am French so I translate what I would usually say. Thanks for linking!

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  34. I'd just call it a bag or a shoulder bag, Chrissie. Great style, gorgeous fabric and a bonus that it's reversible!!!

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  35. What a lovely butterfly bag. And if you can reverse it, it can be used for many purposes.

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Chris Dodsley


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