Patchwork Hand Bag

I figure Jayn's young friends probably don't read my blog, so I'm probably reasonably safe posting this gift before it is given. The bag is about 8 x 5 inches with a strap long enough to sling over the body.

The patchwork side is a collection of undoubtedly familiar vintage and new remnants left over from recent doll making, while the back is a piece of vintage (I'm thinking 1960's) kimono silk. My mother-in-law gave me the kimono in a couple of pieces. I guess she had altered it some years ago and had worn the top part of it as a short jacket. Since it is now unwearable, and parts are actually faded and rubbed, I felt only a few twinges of guilt in dismantling the garment and the other few remants she sent me. The lining of the kimono was a beautiful flesh toned silk that has and will find new life in art dolls.



I lined the bag is some very soft sage green silk that I had lying around from something. I made the patchwork by joining small rectangles into strips and then joining the strips - pretty simple. The finished bag has a boxed bottom, repeated in the lining, and is finished with a crochet covered button I found in the supply drawer. It must have come with a sweater sometime in my life - or perhaps in my mother's life because I don't have anything just that color.

Anyhoo, Jayn's friend is twelve and I hope she will like having a special handbag.