Beautiful and Functional: Vertical Pockets to Modernize Wristlet Clutch

A Perfect Wristlet Clutch

by Karla Fidoe (Pop of Color Bags)

I've come to think of a purse as jewelry. It adds to an outfit, and can even become a statement piece. Carrying the perfect purse brings my outfit together, and makes me feel like I have it together. Never mind that I realize I only put in one earring and my socks don't match... I know my wristlet clutch is perfect and is sure to draw compliments.

What makes this bag so magical? I've been sewing pockets on the outside of my bags for years. It doesn't matter if it's an over-sized tote or a small clutch, having a pocket
for my phone is more convenient than opening a bag or rooting around in the bottom to find that pesky phone. With a wristlet, most people sew a horizontal pocket and use a magnetic clasp for securing items inside the pocket. Why?

Vertical Pockets up the Ante on Function for a Wristlet Clutch

When you carry a wristlet, you place the strap around your wrist and it dangles vertically. Your horizontal pocket is now open on the side. I end up spending a lot of time checking to make sure my phone hasn't slipped out. Sewing a diagonal pocket means when I'm carrying my wristlet, my phone is vertical and can't slip out. Such a simple change makes a huge, functional impact! Find your perfect wristlet at my #etsyshop Pop of Color Bags.

Summer Bags 2019

Summer Bags Trends

by Karla Fidoe (owner and maker of Pop of Color Bags)

The latest trends are bold prints, lots of palm fronds, pops of color, and cork wristlets. This Bow Hand Strap Clutch has it all! The cork fabric is fun to work with - no frays, no sticking under the zipper foot, and it isn't too thick in the seams. The bow is made out of outdoor fabric - for the sturdiness, it's water resistant, and retains its color well.

I love the ease and uniqueness of a hand strap clutch. For summer, I modified my design to have a bow hand strap. This clutch wristlet is fun, eye catching, and screams summertime!

Come find your perfect summer bag on trend at my #etsyshop, Pop of Color Bags.

Perfect Purse

The Perfect Purse to Sew

by Karla Fidoe (owner and maker of Pop of Color Bags)

I hate to ruin the idea of a perfect purse, but the perfect purse is actually TWO bags. What? I know you are asking yourself I how I figure a perfect bag is actually carrying two purses. 

Here is my argument: Every woman has a tote bag for those days you need to juggle 13,000 things to get you through your day. You need your lunch, a few items you plan to return to a store, makeup bag for touch-ups before you meet the gang for dinner, etc. 

But, when you meet the gang for dinner, do you want to be hauling around your whole life with you? No! Hence the need for a second bag. A wristlet clutch is a perfect companion. It's small enough, and weighs very little, to toss into a tote bag. When you get to where you're going, you just pull it out of the tote, and look like you have life in hand!

Need another argument to support my claims? You can give yourself permission to buy both bags you love instead of one!

Find your perfect bags at my #etsyshop Pop of Color Bags.

Scrap Fabric Ideas

Use Your Scrap Fabric to Create Appliques

by Karla Fidoe (owner of Pop of Color Bags)

 I came across the idea of sewing the strips together to create a new fabric.     

I'm not sure if it is the teacher in me or the sewer, but I horde every piece of fabric! I keep a bin underneath my cutting table for pieces that are too small to reuse - or so I thought. 

I then cut out shapes I wanted and topstiched the created fabric a million times.

I finished each shape with a zigzag stitch, going around at least twice.             

In between making bags, I decided to tackle my overflowing bin and searched Pinterest for ideas.

Once I started with the leaves, I knew they would make a cute addition to a cork wristlet bag. However, I'm not sure how easily they are to apply, and how well they hold up. So, I created a Beagle for myself as a test for how durable the applique will be, as well as test out using a zigzag stitch to apply the applique.

I love being the tester for all of my new creations! Check out my other creations at Pop of Color Bags.

I used flannel for the ears and tip of tail to add texture. I even used fabric scraps to wrap a metal ring for the handle.

Beautiful and Functional: Vertical Pockets to Modernize a Wristlet Clutch

A Perfect Wristlet Clutch

by Karla Fidoe (Pop of Color Bags)

I've come to think of a purse as jewelry. It adds to an outfit, and can even become a statement piece. Carrying the perfect purse brings my outfit together, and makes me feel like I have it together. Never mind that I realize I only put in one earring and my socks don't match... I know my wristlet clutch is perfect and is sure to draw compliments.

What makes this bag so magical? I've been sewing pockets on the outside of my bags for years. It doesn't matter if it's an over-sized tote or a small clutch, having a pocket
for my phone is more convenient than opening a bag or rooting around in the bottom to find that pesky phone. With a wristlet, most people sew a horizontal pocket and use a magnetic clasp for securing items inside the pocket. Why?

Vertical Pockets up the Ante on Function for a Wristlet Clutch

When you carry a wristlet, you place the strap around your wrist and it dangles vertically. Your horizontal pocket is now open on the side. I end up spending a lot of time checking to make sure my phone hasn't slipped out. Sewing a diagonal pocket means when I'm carrying my wristlet, my phone is vertical and can't slip out. Such a simple change makes a huge, functional impact! Find your perfect wristlet at my #etsyshop Pop of Color Bags.

Oilcloth...the perfect Summer Bag

Oilcloth Makes a Perfect Summer Bag

by Karla Fidoe

You're unique, so your purse should be, too! I'm always on the hunt for a fabric that is eye catching, and durable. When I build a purse, I want it to be used. I'm not one of those women who is very careful about where I set my purse. It's expected to spend time on the floor, get tossed in a tote bag, ride around in a golf cart, and many other places. But, I still want it to compliment my outfits and get compliments from strangers. That's a tall order!

Oilcloth has become one of my new favorite materials. Imagine yourself at the pool. This waterproof wristlet clutch can be tossed in your beach bag without fear of ruining everything inside of it. Then, you can pull it out to look super cute in your cover-up running errands at Target after a day of swimming.

Oilcloth has that picnic vibe, so this summer bag is ready to brunch on a patio, see Fourth of July fireworks, or go to the state fair. If it gets dirty, a damp cloth makes it as good as new! Find your oilcloth bag at my #etsyshop Pop of Color Bags.