Custom Made Purse Ensemble

I have a friend whose birthday is coming up quickly (4 days). She was admiring a purse of mine that I had made for myself about a year ago. Having an abundance of fabric and creativity I set out to make her a purse similar to mine, but with longer straps and more pockets (two things she noted she would change).

Here is the outside of the purse - before I added the pockets.

Here are the outside pockets.

This is the inside of the bag with the 'extra' pockets I needed to add.

Here are the layered pieces - with the extra long straps.

After I taught my Wristlet class I absolutely had to make my friend a matching wristlet - just in case she needed to run to the store and didn't want to lug the purse.  (you all know what I'm talking about!)  

Purse with matching wristlet - personalized with her name embroidered to both the front and the back (the other front). I could have stopped here - but I was having way too much fun.

I received a shipment in and fell in love with this little Koin Keeper pattern from This & That patterns. I thought – why not – my friend might like this to keep her coffee cards in for when she's at work and takes a quick run to the coffee shop! 

Finally, I have a class called Zip, Button, Snap – I’ve been playing around with different items to make in which we could practice the skills. I considered this cell phone pouch as the ‘button’ item. When I was done I decided it was probably a little too complicated for the class – but I’m sure my friend would really enjoy it as NOBODY likes loosing their cell phone in their purse - especially one with a lot of pockets.  ;-)

So there you go, I started out wanting to make a custom made purse for my friend and ended up creating a whole ensemble. I love sewing!

P.S. Love you my dear, dear friend!

P.S.S. No worries about my friend discovering her gift before her birthday, I've been on her butt for the past year to get connected!  She'll eventually see this post - but hopefully it will be after I give it to her.