Thursday, June 11, 2015

Refashioning/Repurposing.....

I to take something old that was first used for one thing and turn it into something else entirely!

 I recently saw this purse at Kohl's online.....


At a price of over $100, I knew I wouldn't be purchasing it.  I remembered I had a leather coat in my stash that I'd gotten several years ago at a Goodwill half-price sale for $5 that kinda reminded me of the patchwork.



I left it out on the table for a few days and kept looking at it until I had a plan of how I wanted to cut it up.   I cast aside all fear and just grabbed my scissors and starting cutting.  But, only the sleeves at first.  As the light bulbs kept coming on, I cut the bottom off and the collar.  I wanted it to still look a  bit like it was the original jacket.  I especially wanted to keep those pockets to stick my cell phone into, or a pack of gum for our kiddos.

Here's a bit of the process.....




I had so much fun making these flowers.
The lighter camel color actually came from a jacket I bought for Pappy before we got married.  I transformed it into a purse, too several years ago. 



I took different colors of leather from the excess I'd cut from the jacket and used an ice pick to punch holes into the centers of each one, then inserted a brad.  The brads came from the scrap booking section of Hobby Lobby.....
with a 40% off coupon, of course!!!  
After folding down the prongs on the back, I used a dab of the E-6000 glue to hold them in place so they wouldn't pull out later. HOPEfully, that won't happen. 




I lay the purse on the table and cut around the lining  fabric that came from Wal-mart and allowed enough to turn under around the edges.   I cut two strips of the contrasting fabric (a fat quarter I already had on hand) to make the inside pockets.  I sewed them onto the lining and then sewed down each one to make 3 pockets on one side and 4 on the other.


I hand sewed the lining to the purse with embroidery thread.  And, yes, this took FOREVER!


I used this fifty cent thrift store belt for the strap.....
which, later I realized was a mistake, but I worked it into the purse anyway.





That braided belt that I had already glued to the purse on each side for a shoulder strap.....
I simply cut it off and tried to turn a negative into a positive by leaving the buckle on one side and a loop on the other.  I can use those to clip on a hand sanitizer, or my keys.  I wound up using  the handles that I cut off a $1 yard sale find!



And, here she is all finished.
I really like it.....
and, so does our girl!
A "new" leather purse for less than $10!
Now, that ain't too shabby.

So what about y'all?
Have you tried your hand at taking some old and turning it into something new?

HOPE everybody has a wonderful day!

Breathing in Grace,


p.s.  I didn't glue the entire purse just the flowers and the handles.
Everything else was sewn by machine using a needle designed to sew on leather.

Made By You Monday

17 comments:

  1. WOW and WOW! How beautiful is this purse!!!! I love it. Gal....you outdone yourself. I love it! You so dang talented! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. This transformation was definitely a challenge and time-consuming! But, I love it, too! Thanks, sweet Lady!

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  2. Love it! You are so talented.

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    1. Thank you so much, my Friend! But, so are you!

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  3. Wow. That is amazing what you did.

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    1. Thanks, Ms. Karen. I love to sew and create!

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  4. Oh my goodness, Debbie! I would never have attempted to do anything like that. I love it that you can look at something and see the possibilities! Amazing! I love it!

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    1. There are so many neat things on Pinterest that show how to refashion/transform/repurpose. Thanks so much, Ms. Dianna!

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  5. Whoa!! That turned out absolutely beautiful! Way to go Mrs Deb! The LORD has certainly blessed you with some serious talent.

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    1. Oh, thank you so very much....you're so precious! HOPE you have a great weekend!

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  6. What a creative and beautiful way to recycle! Love it!

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet Lady. HOPE all is well with you!

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  7. You definitely have a very creative mind and a true God given talent. I would never have thought of that this lifetime. And if by some fluke I did, I wouldn't have a clue about how to go about it. :)

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    1. Thanks so much!!! I certainly give God the glory for any talent. I just LOVE to create.

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  8. I came over to see the purse... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!

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