I love taking usable pieces and parts of older items and turning them into something new and functional again. Here is a picture of my recent thrift store purchase. I bought these bags and belt for $5. My local thrift store has rotating sales and I can often get a really good deal. This latest score was to harvest the hardware. Just look at the antique brass clips, rings and slider on that bag! The buckles and rings from the small white bag are specialty items I don’t have the easiest time finding new, so it felt like a bonus finding them for such a great price. 

I know other people have great success buying old leather jackets and skirts and using that material as well. Sometimes it takes a bit of looking around, but there’s a sense of satisfaction in a great find. I also like that many thrift stores support good causes, so my purchase often goes back into my community.

Just make sure to inspect the hardware, and give it a good clean before using it on your bags. See below for how I used the belt. 

Recognize that buckle? This is my second Liliane Buckled Hobo bag from Delinda Boutique, and I think I like the pattern more this time around. As I mentioned in my initial review of the pattern, the instructions were a bit too detailed for me. Since I was more familiar with the construction of the bag this time around, I was able to just refer to the pattern instructions quickly for reference and not follow each individual step. The pattern really does create a great bag. So many great features! The roomy exterior pocket is so unique, and a defining style feature on this purse; a great place to stash quick-grab items like hair ties, lipstick, or pens. 

I added piping on the front exterior pocket. I think it adds an extra pop to the fun prints chosen for this bag. It only needed a small amount of piping and was an easy place to add it. If you’re looking for an opportunity to try piping for the first time, I recommend it here. This Timeless Treasures print was originally at Funky Monkey Fabrics, and is out of stock now, but Melissa from Funky Monkey is expecting more in stock soon, so keep checking; it’s such a fun print and works well with many bright colours. I was brave and tried white contrasting thread for my stitching; the effect was exactly the result I was aiming for.

For interfacing, I used Pellon Shapeflex 101 on my exterior fabrics and Pellon Craft Fuse 808 on my lining, resulting in a bag with body, but now quite stiff enough to stand up on its own: just right for a hobo bag. 

I found the handle on my first bag was a nice size, but I prefer to have the option of adjustable straps, so I added some O-rings and a slider, and changed the strap to create an adjustable length. 

The pleats on the exterior of this bag allow it to be a fancy purse with the right fabrics, but I think fun prints work too! 

Have you done any upcycling in your sewing? I’d love to hear about it!