button clutch purse! over 250 buttons!

[lalalibertine]

I actually made this for my best friend for christmas, but didn't get around to posting it until now. i took inspiration from http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=45211.0 and i'm very pleased with the results.

the clutch before! the leather was ridiculous to sew through. my fingers still hurt!


after (front):


after (back):


It took me about 15 hours to complete. I wish I had enough patients to make one for myself. The best part about this gift is that it only cost me $5.

Enjoy! Comments and criticisms appreciated!!!

[Zephyr]

Ahh neat I like the colors of the buttons you chose; theyre so bright and virbant! did she like it?

[GreatBallofFire]

I realize that the craftsmanship on that one is amazing, but I wonder if you could sew just the buttons (for the sewed on look) and then glue them to the purse and each other. Hmmm... I want one for spring break in Chicago sooooo bad!

[lalalibertine]

thanks guys! yes, my friend loved it! thank god because i worked so hard.

GreatBallofFire,do you mean just like sew through the button holes, to make it look like it's sewed but then just glue the buttons onto the bag? Actually, that's a pretty good idea. I am not sure how well the bag would hold up with repeated wear, though. I would give it a shot. I'm sure it would be a lot faster than sewing each button on. Good luck if you try it!!!

[GreatBallofFire]

Yah. I think I'm gonna have to try it. Now I just need my mom to fedex the hot glue gun to school for me! 
I have a woven magezine clutch I just started though, so it could be a while (I have exams too! yuck!)

[jtfelix]

That is absolutely fabulous! I've got so many hundreds of buttons laying around! I'm definitely going to have to make one of these!

[bonbonz101]

very cute 

i give you a lot of credit for sewing all those buttons on.

[alyek]

Yah. I think I'm gonna have to try it. Now I just need my mom to fedex the hot glue gun to school for me! 
I have a woven magezine clutch I just started though, so it could be a while (I have exams too! yuck!)

If you do end up trying out just glueing the buttons on, tell me how it works out.   
good luck on the magazine clutch, I made one too, but not a clutch (I altered it) and I love it. It only took me about a day.

Ohh and good luck on exams... I have my finals this week too ! eeee

[gingerquilts]

Very cute!  I love buttons and seem to collect them from all kinds of places, thrift stores, garage sales, etc.  They even had bags of antique buttons for sale at our local art center last Sunday.  Couldn't pass that up!

I wonder if they still sell those little machines for attaching buttons.  They looked like a gun and I think had little plastic things that look like the ones they attach price tags with.  I bet it would be easier to sew all those buttons through fabric than it was through leather.  Nice job - what a good friend!

[lalalibertine]

I wonder if they still sell those little machines for attaching buttons.  They looked like a gun and I think had little plastic things that look like the ones they attach price tags with.  I bet it would be easier to sew all those buttons through fabric than it was through leather.  Nice job - what a good friend!

I thought about that also, but someone told me that the way it works is like some little plastic piece holds the button on? They really weren't clear on it. I've seen a little handheld one on the television before. I wish there was something to attatch buttons (cheaply). Maybe a fancy sewing machine? Oh well! And yes, fabric would've been SO much easier than leather, but i was afraid if i cut the leather off the bag wouldn't be sturdy enough. Hm...

But thanks everyone for the positive feedback!!!