Sew Thankful Blog » handbag hardware

If you’ve ever used those “hard” U-shaped handles in your handbag making, you may have experienced the little screws coming loose on you. In the picture below, I’m referring to the silver U shape and the screw that attaches it to the handle.  I know it has happened to me…so I bet it has happened to others.

Clover Purse Handles

Miranda Day Bag

A very quick, inexpensive and invisible “fix” is to fully tighten the screw and then dab a bit of clear nail polish (on head of the screw and on the threaded side if you can reach it) to seal it the screw.  It has been at least two months since I tried this fix and it is still holding beautifully.

I mean…wow…it’s no fun to be shopping and one side of your handle pops off your gorgeous bag! I was especially bummed because it happened to me about the 2nd week I was carrying my Miranda Bag (click here to read my review of The Miranda Bag pattern & see more pictures):

Are you looking for some handles or hardware for your next handbag project?  Click here to check out some ideas at Sew Thankful.

Are you looking for a fabulous new handbag pattern? Click here to see what’s available at Sew Thankful.

My Miranda was birthed with love and nurturing dedication over the course of two days.  It was an extended labor of love for this Lazy Girl.

Why did it take so long you ask?

• Well…because I never seem to have more than 20 consecutive minutes at a time to work on sewing projects lately.
• I also have a very bad habit of wanting to change things slightly…which ALWAYS results in requiring much more time. For example:

1. I decided I did not like how my front and back panels looked when I pieced them together, so I added applique pane strip over the join and on each panel end.  I quilted these down over the end of each large pieced rectangle (i.e., the front & back).
2. I also decided I did not want to have a solid (looking) black lining, but I DID want to have a black faux binding around the top.  Sew….this Lazy Girl took her time and pieced the lining sections.

Did I need drugs to get through this extended labor you’re wondering? No, silly.  While operating a sewing machine or hot iron I highly recommend not becoming impaired or intoxicated.

Oh…so you want to see her? Here she is–click image to open large image in a pop up window:

Miranda Day Bag

Miranda ivory/black  bamboo fashion handles from Clover.

I used Leisure Arts 1″ Swivel Clips to make her cinch. Click here to see a selection of Leisure Arts handbag hardware accessories at Sew Thankful.

Mirada Cinched shown hanging slightly at an angle

My Miranda is not quilted.  Instead of batting, I used Pellon Fusible Fleece.  I love the smooth and sleek look.

I also decided to give my Miranda FEET to protect her bottom, because good mamas take care of their baby’s bottoms.  Given Miranda’s ample proportions, I decided that she would need 6 feet in order to protection at each end and also in the middle. It’s terrible to have a chafed middle bottom!   I used silver tone purse feet from Ghees (gotta mind your metals when making purses…make sure all metal colors match for best results). Gold tone feet are also available at Sew Thankful…in fact, Sew Thankful stocks a nifty selection of handbag hardware.

I used the BLACK Velcro Fusion and I gotta say it again, “I LOVE that stuff!”  I only had the 3/4″ x 1″ rectangles available, and being a Lazy Girl, I just placed them end to end to get my 2″ piece and fused.  Worked great!

See inside:

Inside Miranda

So…you wanna know…how hard was she to sew?

Miranda is not a hard bag to make at all.  If you don’t have well honed sewing skills, you will definitely need patience and be able to discipline yourself to take one step at a time and follow it through without trying to guess it’s right.

There are some minor challenges in dealing with the bulk because Miranda is very well stabilized (and that’s a GREAT thing).  These minor challenges are nothing too difficult if you can discipline yourself to stay focused on each task as Joan presents it you shouldn’t have any major problems.

Joan Hawley, owner/designer of Lazy Girl Designs and the Miranda Day Bag pattern, did an outstanding job with both the “design” of the bag and the directions for the pattern.  Two thumbs up!!!

I LOVE my new Miranda and can’t wait to show her off AND make more — but that will probably have to wait until after the holidays!