Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Bag Yourself Some Halloween Spiders

Spider Halloween PurseYou know how I love my purses, over the past couple years I've made book purses, placemat purses, popsicle stick purses, orchid purses, you name it but you know I never thought I'd be making spider purses.

However, my affection for these little critters has grown as Halloween approaches and I have to say . . . they're really cute! Perfect for your little witch who knows her fashion accessories--it could even make a cute trick or treating bag.

You'll need:
2 black shoelaces
2 pieces of black 12 X 9 inch felt
2 large googly eyes
a scrap of yellow or red felt
8 black pipe cleaners
thread and a sewing machine
glue

I was going to go with black yarn for the handle but I couldn't find my black yarn anywhere, it's somewhere stored away until the remodel is over and has found it's way into the black hole that my house has become. Plan B was the shoelaces and they actually they worked better, just knot the ends to keep them from slipping through the stitches.

I also made a little loop in the end of each of the eight pipe cleaners so that they wouldn't slip through either or that the rough ends of the wire wouldn't stick hands reaching into the purse.

First, using the felt cut the basic spider shape out of two matching pieces. With wrong sides together, stitch around the body from the side of the head all the way around the body to the other side of the head. As you stitch along lay the ends of the handles and the pipe cleaner legs in place between the pieces then sew over the pieces of the body to secure things. Make sure the knots are on the inside of the stitch so that they won't slip through.

After you sew everything together bend the legs into spider leg shapes and loop the ends into little feet (once again so that the wire isn't sticking out to scratch someone or snag on a costume).

Glue the googly eyes and mouth in place--you could also add fangs or a smile depending on the level of menace you're going for.

This same idea could easily be adapted for a ghost or pumpkin bag as well. If you don't have time to make your own I'm throwing an extra bag into my Etsy shop for your shopping convenience. Happy Halloween honeys!

***

And while you're getting ready for Halloween here are some other links you might check out:

* Chronicle Books' site titled A Vunce in a Lifetime Adventure which is full of Halloween activities for kids.

* Knit a Halloween spider hat that is truly horrifying from Anti Craft.

* Make a haunted house with Styrofoam Brand Products site.

* Knit a pumpkin hat from Crafty Crafty

If you know of other sites out there feel free to leave them in the comments so the rest of us can enjoy them too.

Sponsored by Oaki at Outdoor Adventure Kid Company--Gear for kids who live outside.

Technorati tags: Halloween, spiders, purses, holidays

20 comments:

Jolanthe said...

These are too cute - and although we're not one to celebrate Halloween, I might have to find a way to work these into an insect unit for homeschooling!!

Thanks for sharing!

Jolanthe

Anonymous said...

OOo that is cute! Thanks for sharing!

Flea said...

That would be a cute trick or treat bag. I'll forward this to my SIL, whose kids still trick or treat. :)

Diane said...

The spider purse is darling! Love the book purse as well - perfect in that linen.

Cassie said...

That is so cute! I wish I had a reason to use it. I might make some to just hang around the house...

Candid Carrie said...

I thought googly eyes was a Wisconsin term. I had no idea it was national.

Hmmm. Amazing what a woman can learn while reading your blog!

Lara Neves said...

I love these! I wonder if I can convince my spider hating girls to carry one. :)

Lisa Wheeler Milton said...

That is darling. And I think easy enough to pull off too.

Thanks.

Munchkins and Music said...

Okay, you are one of the craftiest people I know, this makes it official! Those bags are brilliant!

Kristen M. said...

I think these bags would be great to adapt as small no-sew candy/favor bags for classroom treats or a Halloween party.

CountessLaurie said...

Very cute. I am still trying to finish my popsicle purse! I should have this one done by Easter :-)

~Countess Laurie of Laurieville
(not to be confused with the other Countess Laurie you know unless she too lives in her own world called Laurieville...then you are doomed to confuse us forever)

Amy said...

That is so darn cute! Must add to my notebook right now :) You are so creative!

Stephanie Wetzel said...

I heard a snippet of an interview on GMA with this guy. He was promoting a magazine, but he had some great cheap or free ways to decorate for Halloween. I haven't had a chance to examine his site, but it looks good:
http://www.matthewmeadstyle.com/

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

Now that is just too cute...

Alexi Frest said...

I like to sew.
I sewn a stuffed Scooby Doo for my seven-year-old cousin, I still did not give it to him, but I hope he will like it (he is fond of Scooby Doo).

Leslie said...

Time to tap into my creative side! I love that bag! Soooo cute!

threesidesofcrazy said...

This is soooooooooooo cute!

Laura said...

this is too-too cute!

Jennifer said...

I am NOT a craft person...I repeat I am NOT a craft person but a very big part of me wants this adorable purse for my girls.....okay I am open to becoming a craft person....sigh I am going to purchase the supplies. Thanks for the idea.

Anonymous said...

That purse is adorable!
Not sure I could pull it off, but may attempt it.