The Chameleon Bag

So, we’ve been promising you some information on the purse that She made recently. Here it is!

We aren’t much on writing tutorials, so that’s not what this is, but maybe it could serve as inspiration if you are the crafty type and would like to do something similar for yourself!

First of all, She started with the inspiration, which was the Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae.

Rae provides an excellent tutorial to make this awesome little bag.

But, back here, at the House of 9 Lives, She has been preoccupied lately with the idea of a purse with easy-to-change covers so She can have vairety without shuffling everything from one bag to the next. She remembered back to when these little bags were popular but needed something a little more roomy and practical.

 

So, she started with the Buttercup Bag pattern and with several modifications she ended up with a purse she loves, and it’s quite the Chameleon, too!

Using the lining pattern from the Buttercup Bag, she made her basic bag from a neutral muslin.  She enlarged the original Buttercup Bag pattern by 30%. Then, she added a strip to the sides and bottom to give the bag more dimension. She also included an interior zipper pocket (using this tutorial from U*handbag)in addition to the patch pocket.

Here are the lining pieces with pockets and magenitic closure done.

Here is the lining sewn together, shown with the outer purse assembled. She used buckram to give the purse body.

Then, she added buttons. She used a total of eight. Three on each side and one on each end.

She chose a pewter button for its neutral aspects.

Here’s the bag!

She used grosgrain ribbon and a clip on each side which is used to attach the changeable straps.

Inside, the bag is roomy with ample pocket space.

And, here’s the bag all dressed up!

The outer cover is made using the same pattern, except pleating and pockets have been added. The strap is changeable so she can go from the black strap with this cover, to the brown strap with this cover!

You may notice in the picture, this is actually the same cover. It’s reversible!

There are also these two covers that were made for the prototype bag.

Which reverses to this:

Now that she has the basic bag made, the sky is the limit with covers and straps. She has a lot of plans to make several more.

We are just glad she has a purse to play dress up with. Kosmo says he wouldn’t be too keen about having changeable outfits!

Flirt
*****