 If you're the arty type and you like sewing, you're probably a pro at customising your togs, but have you tried customising your accessories as well? Here's how to personalise your bags to your taste.
Free your imagination
A woman's handbag is highly personal and occupies a hugely important place in her life, so make yours your own! Customising and making your own accessories is a great way of letting your imagination and passion for fashion come out, and anything goes - just take your time and have fun playing with different effects.
Customising your bag to your personality
What type of bag suits you best?
- If you're always on the move and you need practical bags to carry all your bits and pieces around in, customise a practical dark shoulder bag or sports backpack.
- If you're a style queen and you like going out with pretty bags in luxurious fabrics on your arm, you probably have one to match every outfit you own (and every pair of shoes too!!). Have fun customising your plain clutches.
- If you're an eco warrior, in love with Fair Trade and recycling, and your wardrobe is full of organic, natural materials like cotton and bamboo, work your magic on a big canvas shopper in neutral colours.
- If you're the outdoor type who loves cooking with market-fresh veg, picnicking in the summer and fruit-picking in the autumn, why not customise a straw shopper for market days?!
What you might need:
| Fabric paint |
Felt flowers |
Scissors |
| Beads, pearls and shells |
White or transparent thread |
Pencils |
| Satin ribbon |
Different-sized needles |
Sequins |
| Transfer paper |
Coloured raffia |
Stencils |
| Prints |
Retro brooches and badges |
Drawing paper |
| A fine brush |
A paintbrush |
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Customising cotton bags
Cotton shoppers are big and have plenty of space for customisation, so the possibilities are endless. Sew, stick or transfer colourful motifs onto plain shoppers. You've room for a design on each side! Try transferring a photo or motif onto your shopper, and decorate the sides by sewing on fabric flowers or sequins.
Customising bags
Backpacks are usually made from tough, synthetic fabric that's hard to paint and sew. Your best bet is a bag that's the same colour all over, without too many cumbersome pockets so you've enough space to work your magic. Trace a design with a drawing pencil, paint over it, sew on beads or sequins over your fabric paint (or in place of paint) or onto the straps. And stick a few brooches or badges on for a retro touch.
Customising satin clutches and purses
Clutches are only little, so don't customise them too much. If you're a good seamstress, you could make your own clutch so you have your very own artist's canvas to work on (make sure you line silk with cotton!). To retain the simple beauty of satin clutches, just sew coloured ribbons around the edges or straps. Otherwise, paint or sew your own motifs, cut templates to paint or sew around, leaving any knots on the inside lining.
Customising straw baskets
Keep straw natural by customising it with raffia. Straw may be lined, so make sure you unpick the lining beforehand. Trace your design on first so you don't go wrong and always use a big enough needle. To avoid spoiling your straw, sew your raffia through the spaces between the straw. Customise the sides of your bag with sequins or more raffia in the same colour.
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Customising bags
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