Hello quilting friends! Recently the nice folks at Lou Lou’s Fabric Shop sent me a new little project to try out, a Lecien Jelly Clip purse. Lecien Jelly Clips are these darling acrylic resin handles that you attach to sewn fabric pouches. The Jelly Clips come in a variety of fun colors in three sizes (4” small, 5.5” medium and 7” large). Lou Lou’s Fabric Shop carries the small and medium Lecien Jelly Clips on their Notions page. Please visit their website by clicking their ad in my left sidebar!
Here’s what you’ll need: a Lecien Jelly Clip, outer fabric, lining fabric, fusible interfacing and fabric/craft glue. Much to my initial alarm, the pattern and instructions that come with your Lecien Jelly Clip are in Japanese, which I unfortunately cannot read. 😉 However, they do provide a link to an English set of instructions. Please note: do not throw away the Japanese instructions that come with your Jelly Clip, as you will want to use that template when cutting your fabric. If you check out this link, you can see the exact fabric requirements needed for each size Jelly Clip.
I made the small Jelly Clip purse. I just love that apple green handle! Lou Lou’s Fabric Shop also sent me a sweet bit of “Farm Girl” fabric by October Afternoon for Riley Blake Designs. You’ll definitely want to check out that line of fabric in their shop. It even includes a canning label print!
The construction of the fabric pouch was very straight forward and the instructions were easy to follow. Filling the channel in the Jelly Clip with fabric glue and then “stuffing and tucking\” the upper edge of the pouch into this channel was a bit tricky. I used my \”Purple Thang\” to work the fabric into the channel. (A sewing awl or stiletto would work well too.) The Jelly Clip comes with a bit of rolled paper string that is optional. It can be used to help stuff and secure the fabric into the clip.
Here\’s where I\’m going to give you some advice. Channel your inner kindergarten self. It\’s glue. It\’s going to smoosh and slide around. It\’s going to get on the handle. It\’s going to get on the fabric. It\’s going to get on your hands. And, it may even get on your pants. But it wipes off and dries clear. Don\’t give up in the first 30 seconds if you\’re struggling. I had a moment where I thought maybe I\’d be that kindergartner who throws the project across the room because she\’s not getting it. But I stuck with it and little by little, magically, that fabric began to snug up in the channel. The glue began to get tackier. Things began to gather and fit nicely. Within about five minutes I had this thing looking pretty darn good, so I wiped the glue off the Jelly Clip (and my hands and my pants) and set it down to dry overnight.
Well, I think this may be the cutest little purse I’ve ever made, and it’s always fun to try something new! I think this would be a hoot to work on with a group of friends!
Wouldn\’t this purse make a great pouch for storing your binding clips?
To give you an idea of the size of the small purse, two large spools of thread fit in the bottom.
Lou Lou’s Fabric Shop was kind enough to send along a second Jelly Clip (medium) with a bit of cherry pie fabric from \”Farm Girl\” and the green plaid from \”Calico Days\” by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs. This bit of fun will go out to one lucky winner.
All you need to do is leave a comment below and you\’ll be entered. Let us know what you\’d do with a little purse like this! (Please include your email address.) Comments are open through 3:00 pm (CST) on Friday, February 12. At that time, I will do a random drawing and announce the winner.*Only one comment per person/per email address. Email me if you are having trouble leaving a comment and I will leave a comment on your behalf. (carriedawayquilting@gmail.com) Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today! Here\’s hoping you get carried away quilting often! ~Taunja
