Refreshed a favorite travel purse

[u/Kalichun]

This little purse had just the right number of zippered pockets for travel but the faux leather was beyond help. We had a pair of socks that had holes that weren’t great for darning so… voila, now I have a cute cushy travel purse with a fun pattern! The black stretchy socks were very forgiving for sewing around the zippered openings! Photos show before and both sides of after

[u/StepfordMisfit]

How did you do it? I have a bag that could use something like this.

[u/Kalichun → u/StepfordMisfit]

1. I cut socks to make large flat pieces. Made darts to work around the heels. Stitched the large pieces together to make a large piece of material.

2. Sewed a 3-sided pocket that fit around purse.

3. Next I carefully cut a slit where first zipper was. I found I could stitch the fabric edges into the stiff part of the zipper very easily. I used mostly a strong back stitch but also some whip stitch.

4. Repeated for other zippers. I took breaks after each zipper. The sock fabric was easy to stretch and was very forgiving.

5. At top, sewed close to final zipper.

[u/StepfordMisfit → u/Kalichun]

Ahhh I was envisioning a whole disassembly of the old bag and creation of pattern-like pieces from it. Your method is way better!

[u/Kalichun → u/StepfordMisfit]

Thanks! Yeah, this little purse has a bunch of interior zippers too - I was able to keep all the original functionality without it being such an eyesore

Edit: yep basically encapsulating

[u/StepfordMisfit → u/Kalichun]

Absolutely! Wonderful choice of socks. Love it.

[u/mathheadinc → u/Kalichun]

You used SOCKS??!?!?! You did an outstanding job of making them look like one piece of material. Excellent work 🤩

[u/Kalichun → u/mathheadinc]

I got the idea from this subreddit!

[u/mathheadinc → u/Kalichun]

I saw that! 😍

[u/Squanchedschwiftly → u/mathheadinc]

Honestly it makes sense I was wondering where such an amazing silly print would be from hehe 😁

[u/mathheadinc → u/Squanchedschwiftly]

It wasn’t that. The seams are difficult to see which makes the mend that much better. The print is perfect 🤩

[u/jinjinb → u/Kalichun]

this is so great - i'm saving this post for my reference! i don't have purses like this but i am hoping i could use this technique to help save items for other people. thanks for your detail :)

[u/Dubbs444 → u/Kalichun]

This is so clever!

[u/scrumpygoose]

This is brilliant and so nicely done! Great idea & execution.

[u/Kalichun → u/scrumpygoose]

I got the inspiration here!

[u/Realistic-Weird-4259]

So many "leather" purses I've purchased have turned out to be shyte and while I don't wear a lot of socks, this is BRILLIANT! I absolutely LOVE your solution and the result.

[u/Kalichun → u/Realistic-Weird-4259]

Oooo let me know if you decide to try on one of them! I think just about any fabric. I considered using stretchy swimsuit or athletic shirt material too.

[u/PerformanceFluffy317]

So we'll done! And such a cute pattern! Fantastic

[u/Grumzz]

SOCKS! That's amazing and very clever. And great execution as well :D

[u/Vprepic]

Wow, creative! Looks great!

[u/justmeherewithyall]

Wauuuw! Amazing job!

[u/More_Cranberry_7250]

/stunned gaping

Brilliant!!!

[u/memetoya]

I love this pattern so much! Super cute

[u/SecretCartographer28]

This is sooo impressive! 😍🖖

[u/SecretCartographer28]

This is sooo impressive! 😍🖖

[u/y878]

Creative and cool 😎

[u/Kalichun → u/y878]

♥️

[u/Radioactive_Moss]

That is so clever! Now I’m thinking of all the cute socks I own that are a bit too tight that could be repurposed like this. I would never ever have guessed that you used socks for this!

[u/limalongalinglong]

This is incredible! Way to go!

[u/Ketamine_Dreamsss]

And I thought I was so crafty by sewing the rip in my purse. I stand humbled.