We recently debuted a line of Charms and a Purse Hanger to complement our Charmant Clutch Pattern. Because they have been so well received, we are now offering  the Purse Hanger Blanks on our main website for the DIY crowd!

If you are unfamiliar with a Purse Hanger simply
uncurl the magnet clasp around the center, and clip it on to the edge of a restaurant table to keep your bag off the dirty floor. (photo below)

Here’s a quick tutorial to show you how you can make a customized version for yourself or a special  gift!

Each of the Purse Hanger Blanks comes with a clear dome sticker, but there are a few other supplies you will need in addition to our set.

Let’s get started on this simple DIY process!

Step 1:   Punch out your design.

Step 2:   Carefully peel the backing off of the clear dome sticker. Center your punched design onto the dome with the pretty side showing up through the dome. Working out from the center, use your fingers to smooth out the back of the paper and remove any air bubbles.

Step 3: Apply a small dab of the Beacon 527 Glue to the back of your dome and press into the purse hanger blank.

Quick Tip: If you are using a paper design with lots of white or a light color, try to position the glue behind the dark parts of your design, using just a very small dab. I put my glue just behind the butterfly’s wings. This particular glue is very strong and will hold the dome in place with no problem. With too much glue, the light colors can show a slight shadow where the glue dried.

Step 4: Allow your purse hanger to dry for at least 30 minutes before using. Consider adding a few charms to make your purse hanger extra special.

Here we’ve used a Silver Key and a Clip-on Ladybug Charm.

And that’s it – you have a custom creation in minutes! These are so fun to make for yourself, others, or with children (under close supervision with the glue, of course!)

And now your bag will never have to sit on the floor ~ lovely!

Happy Crafting!

~ellen

Now that you’ve made your Interchangeable1 Bag using our Limited Edition Bag Kit …you’ll of course need a cute accessory to compliment it. Enter our latest crafty creation ~ a DIY Fabric Button Ring! This project is easy, quick, and fun.

Here’s what you need for the project!

Supplies:

•  a ring blank (http://yhst-66966626393498.stores.yahoo.net/ring-blank.html )
• E6000 or a similar strong craft glue
• a small approx. 2″ square Fabric scrap ~ We are using Ellen’s Enchanted Damask
• a button cover kit 7/8″ or 1 1/8    (prefer Dritz “Cover Button Kit”)
• a  pair of needlenose pliars

Step 1: Using your fabric scrap, cut a 2″ x 2″ square around a specific design motif in the fabric.

Step 2: Follow the directions of your button covering kit to create your fabric covered button. If you are new to button covering, I think you will find you can’t just make one!

Step 3:  Bend down or remove the shank on the back of the button using the pliars.

Step 4: Adhere the fabric button to the ring blank using your E600 glue.

Step 5: Show off your cute crafty jewelry! Enjoy!

Experimenting, one day-  I made these cute Fabric Rosettes from the Fuchsia colorway of  my studio’s Enchanted Damask fabric. The effort proved worthy as they became embellishments for Coquette Bags that were awaiting the right touch!
Here is a quick  “How-To” :

(Please Read Through All Steps Before Beginning)

Supplies Needed:

one narrow strip of fabric, 1  3/4″ x 42″
liquid seam sealant such as FrayCheck
long needle 
 44″ length of coordinating thread
hot iron for pressing

1.  Cut an entire WOF (width of fabric- 42″)  x 1  3/4″  in a desired fabric. (I liked the randomness of the damask print for this particular project.) It will seem like too much length, but trust me…it will probably be used! Press fabric well.

2.  Seal the raw cut edges of the 42″ x 1 3/4″ strip of fabric with a liquid seam sealant such as FrayCheck, to keep edges from unraveling. When dry, finger fold the strip in half (Right Side showing out). Note: Press with an iron if you wish a harder edged look to your finished fleur, but I opted for finger pressing to keep a softer edge.

3.  Begin your Rosette by folding under one end at a 45 degree angle (as shown in the photo above.) This folded end will become the center of your Rosette!

4. I don’t think there is any “right” or “wrong” way to go about making the body of the Rosette, so don’t worry if you find this method cumbersome, and opt for your own version mid-construction! I fully recommend a bit of fabric play as you work.  Each one will have it’s own little personality even if you try to make two exactly the same~

I held the needle in my right hand, while using my left to gather small tufts of fabric, then pinch them flat against the center of the growing flower. Secure the tufts  in place by using the long needle and doubled thread, pushing all the way through the  base of the rosette, and out the opposite side. (See photo.)  Some were tufts were tight, and some were loose. I just kept at it, and eventually petal-like shapes emerged in the process.  If I missed tacking it,  I would just go back and catch it. Don’t worry what the back of the flower looks like during the construction process~ after all, it will be hidden.

                                                                             
5.  Once you reach the fullness you desire, cut the fabric strip (if not all used), and seal the raw edge with FrayCheck. Fold the cut end down to the back base or your rosette, and tack in place. End tacking with several knots of the thread. Dot the knotted thread with FrayCheck or similar for peace of mind!   Now you have a gorgeous and unique embellishment! I used FabriTac,  a strong clear drying fabric glue  to permanently adhere it to the Coquette Bag’s upper left corner.

 Thanks for viewing my Tutorial, and please be sure to show us what fun Fabric Rosette embellishments YOU create!!

~ ellen

Copyright 2010, ellen medlock, llc.

(made using my Interchangeable2 Bag Pattern & Handle Set)

Here are a few general bag-making tips when using my sewing patterns!

1.  Before beginning a bag project, don’t bother washing your fabric…we want all the stiffness and body
     new  fabric offers, so use it to your advantage, and save time and effort!

2.  Take your time to really adhere/fuse the iron-on interfacing to the fabric well…this is KEY! I can’t emphasize
       this enough! ( I will actually pull up a chair to the ironing board, and make myself comfortable as I fuse.)
       After fusing,  allow  a piece to cool, then check for adhesion. Re-Iron if necessary.  This is the most
       important thing you can do to ensure a more professional feel to your  finished bag. 

3.  As with any craft project, cutting pattern/pieces as exactly as possible will make construction much more
      pleasurable!  I know this sounds elementary, but I swear investing in sewing tools that help you achieve
      accurate cuts will be more than worth the price in the long run.

4.  A no brainer, but speedy sewers do actually need to read the instructions! LOL! I can’t tell you the
      number of times my friends have commented that they just look at “the pictures” when they sew my bags! Yikes! I
     am very invested  in my customers  good  outcome, and hearing this makes me loose sleep! Slow down friends! Ha!

This is just a few that popped in my head, but I bet you may have a few of your own to share! Please Do!!

Happy Sewing as always,

~ ellen

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Copyright 2009, Ellen Medlock, LLC.                                            available at www.ellenmedlockstudio.com

Don’t let these tiny pieces of hardware intimidate you! They are simple to use in your bag making projects, and will add a professional air to your finished bag!  If you have ever attached a magnetic snap to a bag, these are very similar in nature! If not, don’t worry… here is the low-down!

Obviously, the best time to add purse feet to a bag project is during the bag construction process if possible. If you are like me, I have many finished bags I would like to go back and add a set … either way, it is easy!

For a Bag Project in Progress:

Supplies needed: sharp X-Acto craft knife or similar, water soluble fabric marking pen, and of course a set of my Studio’s Purse Feet .

1.  In most cases, a set of 4 Purse Feet can be added immediately after inserting your plastic needlepoint canvas piece into the bag’s bottom. Follow the instructions below beginning with Step 4- Turn your bag bottom end up…

 For a Finished Bag:

Supplies needed: sharp X-Acto craft knife or similar, seam ripper, heavy duty fabric glue, water soluble fabric marking pen and last but not least- a set of my Studio’s super duper wonderful Purse Feet, in gold or silver.

1.  Working on a bag with a center bottom seam along the inside lining, go ahead and  pull the lining up and out of the bag, so that it is accessible for you to work with… ( in the image I am working on a Preppy Mini- Tote Bag )

2.  Leaving about an inch on each end of the seam intact, using the seam ripper, rip out the center section of the seam. This is necessary so that you will be able to get your hand inside the Wrong Side of the bag to work securing the purse feet in place.  See Photo.

3.  Once the seam is open, and you have plenty of access, push the lining back down inside the bag. Pull the access hole open so you can view the bags bottom- looking into it’s Wrong Side. You will now be able to see the piece of plastic needlepoint canvas added during bag construction. See Photo.

Looking down into bag, viewing the plastic needlepoint canvas inside.

  4.   Now you are “open for business” so to speak! Turn your bag bottom end up, working on it’s Right Side. Using your water soluble fabric marking pen, make four guide marks indicating where you would like each of your feet to be placed. Use your best judgment, or evenly measure from the sides, but be sure they are all in alignment up and down, and across from each other. Don’t place them too close to the bottom’s sides, or edges, you’ll want a bit of breathing room for each. I usually make my guide marks approximately 1” inside the four corners of the bag’s bottom. See Photo.

Mark all four corner areas similarly, in preparation for purse feet.

5.  Open your Purse Feet Set. There will be 4 of the purse feet, and 4 washers. Working with each of the purse feet individually, open the prongs away from each other just a bit so that they are parallel to each other, and about ¼” apart.

6.  You will now need to use the open seam and insert your hand to help you through this Step.  On one of  your guide marks, VERY CAREFULLY make a small slit using the X-Acto knife point, just long enough for a prong of the purse foot to slide into. The trick here is that you have to cut through the outer purse fabric, and ALSO through the plastic needlepoint canvas of the bags bottom WITHOUT CUTTING YOURSELF!! Do NOT cut your bag’s lining!

7.  Now create a second tiny slit with the X-acto knife tip about ¼” away from the first slit. This will be for the other prong of the purse foot.  Once both small slits are made, insert your first purse foot piece, placing each individual prong into its own personal little slit! Make sure both prongs go all the way through the plastic needlepoint canvas.

push prongs through the silts

looking inside bag at attached purse foot

  9.  To close up the center bottom seam used to access the bags Wrong Side… use abit of fabric glue, and slightly overlap the seam. It will be fine, and you will befinished with 4 new purse feet to help protect the bottom of your cute bag! 

 Thanks for taking this Tutorial, and Happy Sewing!     -ellen

bag upside down showing 4 attached purse feet now attached!