The Thrill of the Hunt

Waking up from a peaceful catnap, always a great thing.

As you yawn and stretch and savour the wonderful dreams of finding and creating that PURRRfect combination of beauty and functionality.

Then, it comes to you in a brilliant flash of creativity…A PURSE, Yes!! I want to make a purse!! Not an ordinary purse that you can buy from any store. But one you create yourself, from used clothing, from broken bits of dreams and jewelry. So of course, it must be made with creativity, with love and with Kat Style!!

Nothing ordinary about it!!

What kind of purse to make? Of course, it must include upcycling clothing, because that is one of my passions. Should it be a coin purse, a medieval pouch, a large purse to carry a wide variety of needed items. Do I need a certain colour to go with an outfit?

Time to check my stash, sniffing here and there, but nothing inspires me. I can’t find the right material, that I thought I had on hand. Sooo… This is a purrFect excuse for a Hunt! The PURRRfect Kat hunt.

I go to my local thrift store to stalk the aisles. What will I find here today? What will match up with last nights dreams? So many things to choose from: pants, jackets, baby dresses, skirts, wedding dresses, dresses, jean jackets, maybe the odd plastic skull.

But not just anything will do. Fabric types, thick or thin material, style lines, colour, embroidered already, or with a fascinating pattern. Of course, you must check out the buttons and jewelry. As these often add a much-needed design element. Embroidery thread, wools almost anything can be added for interest.

But first, the hunt begins for the base garment, something that sparks your innermost desire to create something of both beauty and functionality. Then…you spot it… you spot the prey and you pounce!! YES!!! SUCCESS!!!

The purrFect jacket, style lines, interesting embroidery, not too big, not too small. Good colour and texture, interesting colour and design. You smile as your first hunt has been successful. One prey caught and captured!! Then tis time to repeat this hunt until your cart is full of interesting prey!

Back at home you lounge in your comfy chair, and relish the going over and purring with pleasure of each and every item you successfully captured this day. You choose the PURRRfect specimen, perfect prey, to re-fashion; a wonderful blazer with beautiful embroidery.

You pull out your claw and scissors… seams cut open, threads flying everywhere, as you rip off the arms and take it apart. Tis a Kat thing, I think, this pleasure of dismemberment. Ahhh and the satisfaction of a job well done.

Now comes the fun part THE DESIGN!! Do you keep the jacket zipper or buttons in place? Do you keep the plaquette and buttons from the sleeves on the strap? Do you move the pockets to a better position? Do you add more pockets? What kind of lining do you want? Something to fade into the background or something bold and eye catching?

Cozied up in my chair, needle and thread at the ready, I listen to some wonderful music or story as I sew up the soon to be purse. The body is mostly left as is, just sew up the bottom and sew together the front opening. Keeping or replacing the buttons as needed. The arms become the straps, after all nothing must go to waste!

Embellish with embroidery, applique or a bit of jewelry and VOILA. A one-of-a-kind purse, totally unique, but best of all…

Made with Kat Class and Kat Style!