Spring Bling Bag

Colorful Spring bag made from outgrown childrens clothing
I've been dieing for a new handbag that makes a statement, makes me feel good and gets noticed. Now I can carry around and enjoy the blossoming colors of spring everywhere I go with my new up-cycled "Spring Bling" bag!

Sorry there is no detailed how to, but this is more like play it by ear, go with it and see what you come up with...LOL, at least that's what I did.

I started with a pile of colorful children's clothes as you can see. In my mind, I pictured taking a little skirt & sewing the bottom shut and adding handles. Well I wanted it lined so it would look good and feel more professional, be strong and last longer.

I found a cute little stretchy tube type shirt that was actually near the very same size as the skirt when I laid them together so I did not have to fool with sizing it up at all.

I decided which was the inside from the out, lined up the seams and turned it all inside out and stitched them together closing up the bottom with my machine.

I was going to chop off the top of the shirt as I had only intended to use the lower solid tube area as a liner for my new skirt bag. Well low and behold I picked it up and the little short sleeves made perfect handles. I fooled around with a bow here and there, I used one of my favorite old scarves as a belt and one of my pins (instead of the button idea I had) that looked like a little golden bow to dress it up a bit. I was liking what I was seeing!

I couldn't stop there... I pulled out some of my spare beads, Bobbie pins, old chains, buttons and charms and started adding little pocket chains, miniature key chains and went gaga with it all to give my color some bling.

NOW..... (drum roll) I have a super colorful, really cute roomy nicely lined handbag which can surprisingly hold A LOT and is strong and I am confident it will last me a long time.

The original pockets hold my cell phone and other small stuff, I clipped my keys on the inside of one of the sleeves so they are out of sight, and easy to find. I did not put an inside pocket in it although it could easily be done as I had toyed with the reversible bag idea so I just put my small stuff in a nice little simple organizer bag.

I love it that I can change my scarf out for another, a belt or a ribbon or whatever I feel like to change the look and color variations. Same with the little center bow pin AND the button on the back pocket is safety pinned on as well as all the stuff pinned or hanging on.

It can all easily be changed out for whatever mood hits you!

Mommies, Sisters, Aunts, Nana's and ladies.. don't throw away those cute little cutie clothes your kids, grand-kids, little sisters and nieces grow out of... make something refreshing and fun like I did!

Success with your own ideas and creations.

** UPDATE: I added pink Velcro to the top inside to close it, turned out very good ;-)