Years ago, I had the idea to make a purse from upholstery samples I’d picked up. Some, I got at my local creative reuse shop, and others at a going-out-of-business sale at a local fabric retailer. (RIP Hancock’s Fabrics. 
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There was one piece of fabric in particular that was my favorite. It really sung to me! It has been languishing in my stash for a long time. The recent Make-a-Bag-and-Fill-It swap allowed me to finally “use the good stuff” and turn it into a crossbody bag for @jemimah. (Thanks, @Manders, for suggesting the swap!)
@jemimah said she wanted a crossbody bag to tote smallish (6x9”) art supplies on artistic outings. Her questionnaire suggested she might like a travel-related theme. How perfect! (Although I totally miscalculated the size, so she’ll need to leave the top zipper undone to carry her sketchpads!)
I altered the Teloujay 2.0 pattern from Country Cow Designs. The main changes were the diagonal zipper (which is super-cool, but wasn’t suitable for my fabric, which had a strongly horizontal design) and the size. In hindsight, it would have been better to make it the actual size of the pattern, but I made it smaller to work with the small piece of fabric that is the focal point.
The back has more upholstery samples. I love how the colors and shapes work together, and that it works with both blacks and browns.
The inside features a zipper pocket for secure storage of personal items. In my stash, I had some scraps of Spoonflower VanGogh/Starry Night fabric leftover from another project, as well as a geometric print that worked with both the interior and exterior colors & patterns.
Really, the only things I had to buy were some of the interfacings and stabilizers, and the vinyl on the strap. Even the zippers were reclaimed/repurposed. I ended up crocheting around the zipper loops because I didn’t like how the bright silver looked against the geometric background.
I had some struggles and it’s definitely not perfect, but I still loved the outcome and was SO pleased that I was able to “use the good stuff” and finally allow the materials to become a functional bag. So, so rewarding!
thank you again 
