Scraps are the best thing about sewing for me – the fabric store I go to has a wonderful barrel that I go dig around in whenever I need some fresh ideas! This project is a good example of that principle in action. I had just run up a new ballet bag for my daughter Nora and found the pattern really simple and thought it would adapt well to a string piecing technique. So I pulled out a collection of thin strips that I had been saving up from my visits to the barrel, pulled a bunch of chartreusy greens from the pile (not a color I quilt with a lot for some reason, although it’s one of my favorites) and interspersed them with a tone on tone black that I had a  few biggish pieces of. I sewed the strips together, quilted up two 13″ x 13″ squares with batting, and then proceeded with the rest of the pattern (Simplicity 2168). I also used a leftover bit of solid for the lining and some extra squares for the interior pockets, so except for the interfacing this was an entirely scrap-driven project!

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This purse has enough room for an iPad and interior pockets for my cell phone, glasses, etc.

The finished purse and the scrap stash that made it possible

Interior view - large pocket and pocket with pen slot

Close-up of the front of the purse, flap closed

A magnetic clasp keeps the flap closed. The strap adjusts as necessary.