Sew Powerful Purse #163 (2025)

This purse flap is made using raw edge fabric scraps in all shapes and sizes, layered tulle on top and then quilted to hold it all together.

Donated purse to Sew Powerful Purse Project.

The purse body is a home dec fabric.

Added back pocket.

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Sew Powerful Purses #48-54 (2025) Made from Starbucks Aprons

These 7 purses that I am donating to Sew Powerful were made upcycling 4 Starbucks aprons. My daughter works at Starbucks and when she got new aprons she was getting rid of these, and of course I thought Purses! She had 3 red and 1 green apron and I was able to get 8 total purses out of the 4 aprons. I had already posted one green purse body with an appliqué flower on the flap using the green apron here. Thanks sweet daughter! 8 girls will benefit from me making 8 purses for them to stay in school all year. Yay!

I got 4 purses with the Starbucks logo for flaps and had to make 4 more more total flaps (the one I mentioned above in green) and the 3 raw edge quilted flaps further down below. The aprons all have 2 front pockets and I used one of the apron pockets (plus a bit more fabric around the pocket) for each of the total 8 backs with the aprons pocket still attached, so no need to make a pocket, yay! I also pieced together enough of the apron neck straps to create 2 purse straps and I used webbing for the other purse straps.

 The Starbucks logo is a two-tailed siren, which is inspired by the Greek myth of the Sirens, who lured sailors to their deaths with enchanting songs, and represent the company's connection to the sea and Seattle, where it originated. Nice, huh? 😬

The logo was up high on the apron, so I couldn't bring it down more. I wanted to add embellishments on the flap so it looked more appealing and so I used rickrack, lace, buttons, crystals, machine blanket stitches and some French knots.

The back of the purses show the apron front pockets.

Closer look at the apron pocket on the back.

I had to create flaps to go with the remainder of the apron fabric that I used for these purse bodies, so I added raw edge scraps and quilted them. I added embellishments of buttons & couched yarn.

Closer look.

Another purse closeup.

3rd purse closeup.

These all had the apron pockets I used on the backs too.

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Raw Edge Art Quilt #2 & Small Art Quilt too

Here is another quilted raw edge art quilt I made that I mounted on an artist board. On this one I added a fabric border, plus embellishments of buttons, appliqué flowers, yarn couching, organza and mesh. I quilted it in a waves in both horizontal and vertical directions, as I also did when I couched the yarn in those directions too. Similar, but slightly different look from the one I posted yesterday.

I also made a small piece (scroll down to see it) that is about postcard size. Both of these will be on display at the Corrales Library too all January. More to share tomorrow as well.

16" x 20".

Closer look.

I love sewing buttons and creating a flower in the button holes.

The shiny organza adds a nice bling punch.

This small piece is about postcard size. I added tulle over the piece. a few crystals were added and some sparkly yarn bits. 

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"Oh Happy Day": Raw Edge Batik Art Quilt

I named this fiber art piece, Oh Happy Day, as it made me happy to create this piece. It is a happy mix of fibers that I quilted and mounted on an artist board. I added embellishments like buttons, couched yarn, bits of mesh netting, organza bits and crystals. 

This and some other fiber arts that I created will be on display at the Corrales Library the month of January, along with others who have submitted their fiber art pieces. There will be quite a variety of fiber art: knitting, hand embroidery, quilts, Hardanger and more. Some pieces will be for sale by the artist and some are not for sale, but just on display. I have a few more items that I have made that I will be sharing here on my blog this week for you to see what I have put in the show. I have my work for sale.

There will also be a one day artist reception and I will be bringing some of my bags to set up on a table to sell there as well, since they couldn't be hung in the show. This is the first time our stitch group will be displaying our work in a show, so I hope it goes well. We might do it again if it is well received. 

This piece measures 16" x 20".

Closeup of the quilting, buttons, crystals and yarn couching.

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Sew Powerful Purse #217 (2024)

Upcycled denim jeans purse. Not only did I upcycle the denim jeans for the purse body, but I used raw edge denim jean scraps to create the flap, along with some decorative machine stitching. A few added buttons for embellishment too.

Donating to Sew Powerful Purse Project.

Raw edge patchy denim jeans scraps with lots of decorative machine stitching to create the purse flap.

Back pocket.

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Sew Powerful Purse #172 (2024)

For the flap of this purse, I heavily quilted tiny scrap pieces of batik fabrics, with a layer of tulle over the top. I added some yarn scraps too before adding the tulle and quilting the piece. The buttons were added when the flap was done. It's so satisfying to use even tiny bits of fabric pieces to create an artsy looking flap.

The front of the purse has a front pocket. I chose corduroy to make the exterior of the purse.

The back of the purse I added a slip pocket and apparently several pieces of lint too. 😂😄😆

Making this kind of scrappy flap is so much fun! No piecing required, just fabric scraps, a foundation fabric, optional yarn scraps, tulle or not (as long as you heavily quilt it you don't have to use tulle) and a few buttons for embellishing. This a great project for anyone who cannot throw away tiny scraps for fabric 😉.

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