Measuring Tape Purse & Pouches. NEW photos added.

[Bigmouth]

I was inspired by rackycoo's lined magazine purses: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=52309.0
which were inspired by craftin pretty's woven magazine purse: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=52309.0

I was also "inspired" by the fact that Stifflersmom (my secret partner in the Friends of Craftster Swap 2) liked them, too.

I had a stash of measuring tapes I bought on clearance, with the original intention of making tape measure rosettes, like this one by skirt: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=22722.0

I combined those thoughts.  Here's the result:

They're woven like baskets.  Bottom first, then sides.  Each button is a little different, but they're all brown (some vintage).  The "trim" at the top of the purse is the fuzzy side of Velcro.  It reeeealllly didn't want to stay put.  Self-adhesive Velcro doesn't work on measuring tapes.  Even E6000 requires a bunch of clamps and a lot of insistence.  On the coin purse, I used self-adhesive fabric tape that I colored with a Sharpie. 

I thought I'd never be so masochistic as to try it again, but I had some awesome lavendar measuring tapes.  So I thought I'd try something small.  Ha.  It was still a pain.

I had enough "soft" Velcro only for one side, so I used the prickly part for the other.  Okay as a closure, but terrible when it touches fabrics.  I glued a skinny measuring tape around the outside, and it took care of the problem.  I kind of like the loop, and I think I might make a wristlet that way.

I was seriously procrastinating on things that really needed to get done--so I did another measuring tape pouch.  This one was quick, because I figured out a better way to weave it (do the bottom AND one side first, then fold and finish).  It ended up neater, too--it's a more consistent weave and it doesn't have tighter and looser rows.  I thought the color combination would be ugly (I used scraps from the others), but I rather like it.


There they are! 

2/10/07   Here are some more I did (some very recently):

(this lovely photo was taken by lamamarco--mine never turn out this great!)






Whoa!  Giant photo!  The elastic reaches around the low button for closure.  The whitish bead is sort of a tab for the elastic.  Dollar store measuring tapes for the dollar store swap!





Two sides of the same bag.

[craft_t_chic]

I am totally in love love love with the clutch!!! It's soooo freakin' cute!!!

[lasandri]

i love the yellow... but the lavendar is cute too! great job bigmouth!!!


*edit* i hit THIS ROCKS!

[Niblick05]

WOW! Is the number 87 on the purse in the center on purpose or just worked out that way? I love these.

[Bigmouth]

WOW! Is the number 87 on the purse in the center on purpose or just worked out that way? I love these.

That's funny--I hadn't noticed.  I didn't mean for the 87 to be centered, but I did try to align vertical lines from one with the horizontal lines on the other whenever possible.  That made it a little easier to keep the tapes straight.  (I think the lines are actually lined up on that one, but the tape sticks out a little bit.)

Thanks, lasandri.  And I'll keep your comment in mind, craft_t_chic. 

[craft_t_chic]

EEP!!!

[Jelly.]

Wow, I'm amazed!

[panda]

That is so cool.......great idea too.

Wonderful job. 

[rackycoo]

One thing I love about Craftster is how you can get inspired by something and end up with something totally different. Something that ROCKS! Those little clutches are the best! They have a great size and design, and they are so darn cute they make my teeth hurt. 

You could quit your day job and sell those. I love 'em.

EDIT: I got the purple one as a surprise today!! It's mine. I am so excited. It's even cuter in person. 

[gingerquilts]

These are so cool!  Hitting the "this rocks" button now for sure!!!