Note : This diary has been on hold for a while as I was forced to use the suede that I had for an urgent project. I will come back to this just as soon as I find some more soft-leather or suede.

Sorry for the inconveniences

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Making a 15th century
trapezoïd purse

These are 15th century purses. I beleive that only two of these images are very early 16th century. However, this type of aumonière was in style from the 14th c. 'til te 17th c.

I intend to inspire myself from the one in Robinet Testart's book of hours from Poitier. Most of my gowns are from that paticular period. I believe that small pewter mounts are rivited on it to create those dotted lines. Also, some people used to add round bells to their purses instead of tassels so that when they walk, it would have made a jingle sound (like coins) in order to look more wealthy ! That's what I'll do as well since I'm as poor as Job !

October 11, 2004

Here's some of the materials that I'll be using ; I don't have leather at the moment so I'll be using this thick brown suede. Here are the rose-beads I found for it. They will be sewn on, not riveted...

I'll be closing it up like this one because I wanna be able to attach it directly to my belt as well as on a belt hanger or, very low on a cord. This is early 16th c. Italian.

November 11

I'm sorry that I've been quiet recently but I've been really busy with family stuff and getting things ready for an up-comming event that's hapening this saturday. I had to make my son a new outfit because everything I've made him this summer is already way too small.

So anyhow, I made a purse out of fake suede just to test my construction theory and it turned out not so bad. I didn't want to ruin good quality suede for nothing. Here's the layout and here's what it looks like ...