Crafting: Vintage Clutch Paper Patterns

So I gathered up courage to attempt a paper pattern for an envelope clutch just to see how to improve on my own take-a-wild-stab version.




I bought this pattern off Etsy and attempted this simplest version of the 4 designs.

*takes a deep breath*



Here goes nothing:




This is what I did different from my usual non-pattern attempts:

1) I added a dart to the base, which I had a feeling was to give the base a foldline so you can flatten it? Although, I'm not sure if my dart was done right.

2) I topstitched ALL the edges to give clutch a sturdier look and feel!

3) The flap was an external piece of fabric that was sewn to the body of the bag. My previous clutches were made from just one piece of fabric, folded into 3 sections (really easy!)

4) I added side panels to give depth to the clutch








As a result...




Ta-daaaa!

A free-standing sturdy looking piece of work!

If I were any awesome-r, I could have made the stripes on the fabric align. But this was a trial run, and I'm so in love with the Thai silk fabric that I'm going to have to keep it for myself!

It took me awhile to understand the instructions in the pattern and to familiarise myself with the symbols on the illustrations, but now I've gained a little more confidence to maybe attempt the other 3 designs and definitely hoard MORE patterns!

Any words of advice from seasoned pattern users?

And don't forget the ElephantisLove giveaway ends tonight 11:59PM EST! I will pick a winner via random.org

Shared on Make Something Mondays Linkup!

Thrifting: 3 dollar specials!

I went Goodwill Hunting awhile ago, and because we moved, there's a new Goodwill in this area that was waiting to be pillaged checked out...

Here's a bunch of $3 (or less, before taxes) items I scored over the two weeks since I moved in! I really don't think I will pay full price anymore. (Although that remains to be seen because I'm antsy to check out the new H&M in Singapore.)


From Goodwill,


Tiny skirt that flounces really prettily, and i can wear cute tights under. Love the prints too!


Dress that I squeezed into and found in the kids' section. The elastic waistband cinches so tight it is hard to get into, but once that's done, it sits nicely on my frame. I guess having not much of a chest works. Sometimes.




A hat I found randomly stashed in the women's slacks section. And a few different expressions I think I can manage. Sorry for the cam-whoring. I actually don't do this very often, but I was packing my luggage and drinking coffee at the same time.


A very big but retro looking top that I thought I could pull off as an off shoulder thing. I'll be pairing it off with my jeans and some boots, but that's kinda like my staple getup, nothing too crazy!


A plum colored maxi skirt that was maybe four sizes too big, but before i fix the problem, i'm making do with belts. And it was the prints that sold me! Reminds me of the shoot-the-aliens games in the early Microsoft computer days. OMG, i think that just inadvertently revealed my age.


Two very new belts @ $0.99 apiece! SSSSSCORE!!!! And the dark blue (it looks black in the picture) matches very well with most of my dark colored outfits. And the yellow is just fun!! I'm in love with skinny belts at the mo'.


Speaking of widths. My eye caught sight of this wide elastic belt with a big bow in the middle. There has to be a name for belts like this one, but I'm fashion-technical-term un-savvy like that. So sue me.


And because it's getting colder, i spotted this lilac knitted sweater in just the right size, and spun from the prettiest yarn.

From another trip to Target.


A cute little clutch purse on sale for $3!

And they say, all good things come in 3s!!

Anyone else has got good thrifts to share?

Etsy Pick of the Week :: VerseauVintage ::

I totally have to gush about this Etsy store I found! I am completely in love with the vintage items featured in VerseauVintage. All the pieces for sale have such an elegant and classic feel to them!

I would have hearted like a million items on there but thankfully, Etsy gives you an option to heart the shop instead, so that is what I did. But oh I do love the shoes - from pumps, to heels, to moccasins; and the bags! Oh I do! I do love!

Here are some of my faves!


Cobalt Blue Pintuck Leather Pumps


80s Buttery Soft Black Quilted Leather Purse


Brown Leather Stacked Heel Brogue


I.Magnin Noir Pleated Leather Black Clutch


Eel skin Leather Flats (Wished this was in my size!)


Espresso Brown T-strap Woven Sandals

I think I'm going to get something from the store with my next paycheck! ♥

Thrifting: Sungei Road Thieves' Market

A gem of a find, perhaps ten years ago, when I was still a newbie to thrifting. This flea market is located in Singapore, my home country, a congregation of makeshift stores of second-hand wares haphazardly laid on the ground. Known to most as the Sungei Road Flea Market, I've only recently came to be made aware that it was also known as "Thieves' Market" My only find that day, but a very rewarding one, was a little flowery clutch, in perfect condition, sold to me for a mere $2.





I had almost missed it too, the clutch lying half-hidden beneath a pile of clothes and heels and bags. J often says I take too long looking at stuff that he can glance through in a minute. But it's finds like these that make me tell him "You're wrong, you don't find treasure like this, in one quick glance."

The only thing about this flea market is that it's held under the open skies. So it's definitely not a rain or shine event. Check your daily, or even hourly, weather report before heading out. Singapore's fickle-minded skies can change in a matter of hours.