waterstone tutorial: the birth of an eco-friendly handbag

It's time for Part Two of my Waterstone: The Birth Of An Eco-Friendly Handbag tutorial. If you have not read part one, you must do so NOW before proceeding any further with part two of the eco-friendly lovin' recycled leather handbag making process tutorial. Go ahead... I'll wait to let you catch up...

dooo dee do do dee do...

twiddling thumbs, picking flowers, brushing hair...

Waterstone: The Birth Of An Eco-Friendly Handbag
Part Two

Now that I've gotten my outer, inner, and hidden layers cut (felt is the hidden layer, added to lend additional structure and strength to the finished handbag), I add details such as applique or embroidery to the outer layer.

Details are complete. By the way, the felt is attached to the wrong side of the leather.

It's hidden. That's why you can't see it. Just pretend it's there.

I will also add the tags and pockets before the lining is sewn together.

Time to sew the lining. Right sides together. Pin. Pin.

Ah, the felt - there tis!
It's time to sew my outer layer - with at least a double-stitch for the exterior.
Leather is difficult to pin so I use these handy little clips. LOVE my clips.

Ta Da! The exterior layer is together. Beginning to look like something now, right?
If not, stay with me anyway.

With this particular bag, I add the strap after sewing the outer layer.

Outer and inner layers complete, I put right sides together and sew around the top edge.

The next part involves what my family says is my freakish obsession with bodily functions.
Skip it if your imagination gets the best of you.
Any mother should understand and handle with ease... cause we're tough like that.

The birthing process begins.
Something huge is going to fit through a tiny hole. Get it???
I seriously think about this every time a handbag is born. Kind of exciting.
Will it be fabric? Leather? Brown? White? European?

"Mr. and Mrs. Waterstone, meet your bouncing newborn handbag."

Almost there...

Now it's time to sew a couple of times around the top edge.

I believe right after I took this photo, my needle broke. Curses. Anyway...

The recycled leather snaps were uneven on the jacket where they originated, which I am loving. I matched them up so that the handbag would close properly and stitched away.
Isn't it cool? Snaps together with perfection and it's own unique style.

Surprise! This cute cosmetic bag/lady stuff holder/clutch comes with it.
It matches the lining and the green applique leaves.

I love this. Really, I do.

Current handbags are here.