bag/purse for faire

[jackrocks]

Hi,

I just cant leave well enough alone. My husbands shirt and waistcoat should be finished up today, lol, and tomorrow is faire. But yesterday, as I was going through what all I need to get ready for faire, I realized I have this nice, faire-ish outfit I have made, and I'll have to carry my purse. Its not going to look right at all.

I got thinking maybe there is a type of bag or purse I could quickly make from materials I already have on hand. But Im really pushing it with the time factor. Is there anything that would look more appropriate with my outfit (layered skirts (reds and purples), cream chemise, red bodice with lace/beads) that would be quick (quick meaning probably less than two hours, as Ive got class today)? or I may just have to deal with my army green purse!

thanks.

[gem]

A drawstring bag can be made from scraps and takes no time at all to whip up.

Then you can buy a proper pouch at Fair!  

Honestly, though, after 10+ years of wearing a belt pouch, I've taken to carrying a basket, and I'm surprised by how much I prefer it to wrestling with everything strapped to my waist. Almost any basket will do, as long as it has a handle and is deep enough for your stuff. Just toss a cloth over the top to cover your belongings. You can see my basket in this photo. 10 months out of the year it's my sewing scrap basket.  

[Marietta Graziella]

A super simple drawstring pouch can be made to match your garb in about 30 minutes. Seriously!

I've also tried the basket but I disliked having something in my hand all the time. I hug so many people during the day I found that it was inconvenient for me.

Perhaps an over the shoulder messenger style bag in matching/coordinating fabrics? It would be a little larger, secure, still quick and easy to make.

[isabelladangelo]

First, a whole bunch of H/A stuff:
http://larsdatter.com/pouches.htm
http://larsdatter.com/sweetbags.htm

Now, that being said, I now carry a small round hand basket I got at Joanns for $5.   It's AWESOME.   The basket is just big enough for me to carry all my stuff (a sewing bag is in the basket along with the typical cell phone/keys/wallet combo and a mirror and chap stick and...well, you get the idea) and yet looks right enough that it doesn't clash with any of my outfits.  Ladies of all classes had some sort of basket they carried around.

I've also carried a messenger style bag similar to the ones depicted on pilgrims.  Although it's great for carrying my baby laptop around when I'm camping, it's not really that great for carrying as a purse.   It's bulky and hid a lot of the details on my outfits for one thing.  ;-)

I've done the whole pouch on the belt thing too.   I didn't like it for the same reasons Gem already stated.   I had the pouch custom made too so I could carry my epi pen around in it but the basket I currently carry is big enough for that.   

[operafantomet]

http://aneafiles.webs.com/saccoccia.html

A saccoccia - a loose pocked tied around the waist - is as simple as it gets. Two identical drop shaped layers of fabric, one with a slit down the middle, sewn together and attached to a waistband or cord. Decorate as you see fit, or use an ornamental fabric and don't decorate at all. Et voila!

[DonaCatalina]

discussion of pouches
And yes they are really simple to make. If you have a fabric that matches your sjirt, you can make them fancy or invisible as you desire.

[Rowan MacD]

  I still use my leather pouch on occasion but since I schlep too much junk around with me now days it has become impractical to haul everything. The combo drawstring/turnlatch closure looks nice but it's time consuming to open and close.  
 This season I bought a reversable drawstring bag from a friend who is a vendor, made from damask and velvet.   I had her string it on a heavy satin cord tipped with gold aglets that look good with noble and middle class garb. Holds all my stuff and a lot of small purchases without looking overstuffed, and I love the darn thing.  
 

 

[Butch]

My dau will carry a basket, but I made a large drawstring bag from shirting scraps for her to put her modern stuff in.  She loops the drawstrings around the handle so it isn't lost.

[Lady Rebecca]

When I first started going to faire, I had a drawstring bag lined in canvas, which matched my garb, but the strings cut into my arm (I always carry a lot of stuff). Then I switched to a lined basket, which works so much better! I usually carry two water bottles in it, besides all my other stuff. And today, I wore my pockets (which I had originally made for my 18th c stuff) under my skirt (which has pocket slits), so I put my smaller and/or more valuable stuff in there (camera, cellphone, money, etc), and left the big bulky stuff to my basket.

[Eddie]

I carry an over the shoulder tote bag to carry all my stuff though it's mostly my flutes and small purchases. My first bag was a yard of plain blue fabric from Walmart from the $1 a yard table folded over and sewn up with the strap being about 1/2 inch off the length sewed at the opening and lasted about 9 years until I tried to get out my camera while wearing my new bracers I ripped the middle halfway down the bag.