Wednesday 1 March 2017

Button Clutch Bag

Cover an old clutch bag with buttons for a whole new look.
Clutch Bag covered inbuttons
I am SO excited to have this ready to share with you all today. This has been a long old time in the making! 
I first thought I'd like to cover a bag wth buttons several years ago. I keep my eyes open in charity shops thinking I might see something suitable, then thought maybe I should just make a cloth bag myself. Then in April 2015 I took a long haul flight in premium economy. Premium economy was fab, well worth the small amount extra it worked out....but this is not a travel review. On the overnight flight we were given little bags with a few toiletries. Very nice, very handy and a nice little clutch bag to take home and transform!
button clutch bag before
It was a grey felt with a button fastening and fully lined on the inside.
button clutch bag before

Next I needed to decide what buttons to use. I thought about nice bright ones.

Then maybe metallic buttons, which I liked but I didn't have anything like enough. Also most were buttons with shanks which would make the little clutch bag too bulky.
So I settled on pastel coloured pearl type buttons. I had loads and most are the inexpensive kind that had come off old shirts. 

This is a pretty simple makeover / refashion.
You simply sew the buttons on.

Ha ha! So quick to type, SO time consuming to do!
Button bag refashion
The main things I learnt, ie my top tips are: 
  • You will need WAY more buttons than you would think. I thought I had loads but ran out and had to wait to source some more from old garments and charity shop purchases. 
  • Use regular sewing thread but have it double for strength.
  • Don't have your thread too long, it will catch on the buttons. Just accept you will have to cast off and start a new length of thread often. 


Button Clutch Bag

  • It's a little tedious, so sew the buttons on whilst watching tv. 
  • This is not a quick craft, it will take ages. That's ok, not everything has to be instant, not all crafts are quick.
  • My bag had an elastic loop to secure it. I simply swapped the button it fastened to for one with a shank.
  • Your bag will be significantly heavier with all those buttons attached.
Button Clutch Bag
Just the right size for my phone, lippy, cash and keys. Perfect for a night out.
I did cover both sides of the bag, the back is the same as the front. I think I've mentioned before I like the back to have pattern or design too otherwise I feel cheated. I guess that may be why it took so long and used so many buttons! I guess if you are not so fussy and are happy with a plain back then this would be both quicker and use less buttons.
Even quicker would be to just cover part of a bag, maybe just the flap, or a panel if your bag had one. Or you could just add buttons in a strip either to one side or down the centre. 
Button Clutch Bag
After all this time, and it's been about 2 years in all, I am super pleased with my button clutch bag. It's very reminiscent of the amazing outfits of Pearly Kings and Queens from London.
Sum of their Stories
Sum of their Stories

Hello, I'm Julie. I love making things and this is where I share my enthusiasm.

35 comments:

  1. Your bag is wonderful! I ove what yu did, bravo.

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  2. Well I sounded like a moron in my last comment, darn spell check!

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    1. I think I love you! I'm normally the queen of the typo's so I'm happy you have joined the club!

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  3. Brilliant idea and so handy you were 'given' the bag to start it. Perfect K xXx

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    1. Thanks, it really was a perfect free/included blank canvas, just what I was searching for.

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  4. Such a quirky and original idea. It looks great and will definitely brighten up your outfits! It was certainly worth the time and hard work x

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    1. That's what I'm telling myself Caroline, it was worth the time and effort! I feel like it will go with everything too, which is a bonus.

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  5. Oh like I haven't already got enough buttons to do this! I am now on the two year hunt for a clutch bag. I think it is great. Jo x

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    1. Good luck with your hunt, maybe you'll get lucky and find something straight away - or make something fabulous!

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  6. This is funky and cute. I look for buttons in thrift stores all the time, especially old buttons they can be really really pretty. I know this must have taken hours to do, but it was fun to put together wasn't it?

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    1. It was loads of fun Leanna, maybe another reason it took so long was because I keep stopping to admire how nicely it was coming along!

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  7. Super cute idea! You can dress it up or down. Visiting from Pretty Pintastic Party.

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  8. This is so cute! I love buttons and actually have some vintage ones from my grandmother that would make an adorable clutch. Thanks for the great idea!

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    1. That sounds like a lovely idea. Some of the buttons in my button box were from my Grandma, she never let a thing go to waste so even when clothes fell apart she would rescue the fastening to be used again.

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  9. It looks fabulous! I can only imagine how long it took to make up. Well worth it.

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    1. Ha ha, yes, not quick but great to feel like watching tv wasn't a waste of time, I do live a good bit of multitasking!

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  10. Fit for a pearly queen. I have so many vintage buttons and love them

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  11. Watching tv while sewing on buttons has to be the best sewing tip ever! I also thought of pearly kings and queens when I saw it, although when I was a little girl I thought these were people who came from Purley!

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    1. That's brilliant, those famous Purley royals! My nan's name was Pearl so I always thought maybe she was a pearly queen when I was little. Bless!
      I do all my hand sewing whilst watching tv (actually I'm more listening to tv, just glancing up when no one is talking so I know what's going on) #multitasking

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  12. How fun! I have bins and bins of buttons. Pinning and sharing. Thanks for linking up to #HomeMattersParty

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    1. It's a fun way to make good use of at least part of a button collection :-)

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  13. oh my goodness, I was thinking how you must have the patience of a saint to sew all those buttons on and then you mentioned that it's 'tedious'! Such a relief, now I know you're perfectly normal. A fab finish though, well worth the tedium! :D #handmademonday

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    1. Yes, I don't want to put anyone off but better to be forewarned. It was a long old project, luckily I had other things to do inbetween! It is worth it though, I'm loving my little button clutch.

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  14. What a fun idea! I'd love to have you share it at the Pleasures of the NW's DIY Party!
    http://www.pleasuresofthenw.com/do-it-yourself-crafty-party-47/

    Thanks!

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  15. Such a lovely idea Julie and I have the buttons to do it !! Thank you for sharing with I am Pinnable Julie

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    1. Thanks Amber, so many sewers and crafters have a big stash of buttons, it's a fun way to use them.

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  16. Love this! So original and so much respect that you took the time to actually do all this. I know it's a lot of work but it looks so cool!

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    1. Ha ha, thanks Mary. It was a slog but worth it! And by doing other things in between it was not too onerous at all.

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  17. Great idea....so glad I have found your blog.

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  18. What a great idea and makeover Julie. Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays last week, you are one of this weeks featured blogs :)

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  19. So pretty, I just love button crafts! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!

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  20. This is so stinkin' adorable! I've always wanted to make a tote bag like this but haven't (ahem) found the time. :)

    Found you via SITS girls. Love your purse!

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  21. Oh my ! I'm looking for my felt leftovers and checking out my button supply !!
    I can see this with white felt and white, cream and silver buttons for Easter !!
    So glad I found you .

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  22. Super cute! What a great way to fancy up a plain bag.

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  23. This bag is so cute. What a wonderful way to transform something ordinary into something quite special. Thanks for sharing.

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